How to Teach Children to Give at Christmas

Christmas is one of the best times to teach your children values and principles that will become life lessons. There are many children these days that don't have an opportunity to celebrate Christmas or even have a family with which to spend the holiday. Sadly, we have taken so much for granted and sometimes we forget to count our blessings, because truly they are many. Teaching your children that it is better to give than to receive is one of the lessons that will shape their character as adults.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Giving comes from the heart. When your children see how much giving that you do, often they will follow that lead. Children get so preoccupied in wondering 'what am I getting this year?' that they don't even realize how wonderful the feeling can be when they give to others during the holiday season, and everyday.

2. Take your children to visit their grandparents on Christmas Eve, buying them a poinsettia on your way over there. Let the kids be the one that gives the gift to them and see how much appreciation that they receive from their grandparents for such a nice gesture. Pay close attention to catch the glow that will be emitted from your child's face.

3. Go around to all of your friends' houses giving something handmade, such as an ornament made from clay and then painted. Put the child's name and the year on the back or let them personalize it themselves, if they are old enough to do so. Another good gift that can be easily personalized are store bought mugs, place tea or cocoa packets inside wrapped with cellophane. The child can write their name and date on the underside of the mug.

4. Give each of your children an allotted amount of money specifically to use for buying gifts for their siblings. Take them to the mall individually to pick out exactly what they want to give their brothers and/or sisters. Instruct them that the money isn't to be used to purchase anything besides gifts.

5. Look closely on Christmas morning, you will be able to see the difference from the years past. The kids' anticipation of opening gifts will be replaced with excitement over seeing their gifts being opened by their family members. It truly is an amazing feeling when you can see the love in their hearts, from their beaming smiles.