Teaching the importance of giving to your children is something that everyone should be doing. For me, it is important that my children know they have it really good. That some boys and girls don’t get any toys this Christmas. Some don’t even get to spend it with their moms and dads either. It was great to see my son have empathy for these children AND want to do something to help.
I brought this up to my boy after Stonyfield Organics sent us the gift of giving! Stonyfield sent their bloggers a $50 Visa gift card to use toward providing something for someone else this holiday. We thought about it a lot and realized there are so many options to provide for others.
Here are some options you can choose if you’re wanting to give to others this Christmas:
- Donate food, money, or clothes to a local shelter
- Even better – call ahead and see what they need most. They might need volunteer help for a weekend more than food or clothes!
- Think of a friend or neighbor who is struggling and buy their kids a present or bring over groceries
- Even better – bring over meals so they don’t have to cook!
- Bring over diapers or meals to a new mom
- Even better – while you’re there, watch the baby and let her take a quick nap!
- Make homeless bags with useful items that won’t expire – like these!
- Even better – meet a homeless man or woman and ask how you can help – buy a meal or warm clothing!
- Pay for someone’s coffee or fast food in the drive-thru behind you
- Even better – pay for multiple cars!
Teaching the importance of giving, or better yet, teaching by example will help kids to empathize. It will show them that little gestures can make big differences in someone’s life. I loved all of these ideas that we came up with but ultimately I chose something else!
Angel Tree
Our church partners with a program through Prison Fellowship called Angel Tree. It is a way for parents in prison to connect with their children during Christmas time. The parents in prison who participate, fill out an Angel Tree tag for their child with a small message and a gift idea. These tags are displayed at church and a member will choose a tag. The person participating will buy a gift worth $25, wrap it, and put the sticker on top. Then these presents are delivered to the children of the participating parents in prison.
The church my husband and I went to growing up did this and as a youth group member, we were able to help deliver these gifts to the children and it was amazing to be a part of the process and get to watch the gift be handed off. My oldest was so excited to help me put the sticker on. He even triple checked with me to make sure it was brought to church so these two other little boys could have presents from their moms and dads. Because of Stonyfield’s gift, I was able to share this experience with my son AND shine light on this amazing program!
If you know a place that participates in the Angel Tree program, it is a wonderful thing to be a part of.
I hope that you are able to find something on this list this Christmas and make it a priority to be an example. Teaching the importance of giving will have an effect on you, your child, and anyone that they choose to be blessed by this amazing gift.
Which way will you choose to give?
*I was gifted a gift card from Stonyfield Organics-as a part of the Stonyfield Yogetters Program- but these ideas and opinions are my own*
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Love these ideas- it’s so important to teach our littles the importance of giving- at this time of the year especially!
I absolutely love this post! I try to do this with my family as well, and it’s awesome when the kids get excited about the different projects!
I love homeless bags. They are so easy to make and you never know whenever you will need one.
Your little guy looks so excited! I think this is one of the most important lessons we can teach our kids.
Such an important lesson to teach our kids. Thanks for sharing your ideas.
this is incredibly important for children to learn. i find a lot of young people today are incredibly self centred and selfish. its terrifying to see.
Great tips. I love the one about just paying for the person in line behind you.