Ways to Give to Your Children

Give Time, Not Toys

Give your children some gifts that are not material gifts and encourage them to do the same. Gifts of time together or help with chores may not seem as tangibly gratifying to children as a new CD or the hot new toy, but they plant the seeds of alternative ways to give and receive.

Give Back

Create family traditions that involve giving back to the community. Shop for extra groceries to give to a food bank, volunteer at a shelter, or donate toys. In these ways children learn to help others.

A Gift that Lasts a Lifetime

Our early holiday experiences shape our lifetime expectations of these special occasions. When your children are very young, begin to emphasize the religious, cultural, or altruistic traditions of Christmas or Hanukah.

The Joy of Gift Giving.

Help your children see that one of the greatest joys of gift giving is to give the other person something they will really value. Discuss what grandma and grandpa like to do and their favorite things. Then make or buy a gift to please them. Tell children the important thing is the gift is coming from them, not how much it costs. Consider giving grandparents a coupon for helping around the house or raking the leaves.

Give of Yourself.

Put the newspaper down and turn off the television when your children have something to say to you. Show them you respect them and they will learn to respect themselves, as well as others.