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Step 1
Limit gift buying. Buy one gift per child.
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Step 2
Buy religious gifts for Christmas if you are raising your children in a specific religious tradition. It will help them associate the holiday with religion rather than Santa.
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Step 3
Volunteer as a family. Spend a day or an afternoon doing something to help those in need. It will give children a different perspective on things.
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Step 4
Encourage and help children to make their own presents. Teach them that it's the thought and not the amount of money you spend that makes a gift special.
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Step 5
Give a family donation to a worthy Christmas-related cause, such as Christmas Seals.
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Step 6
Spend time doing activities together. Make ornaments, go caroling, read Christmas stories or watch Christmas movies.
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Step 7
Encourage children to take part in Christmas drives at school. Help them collect items for donation.
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Step 8
Set an example. Engage in charitable acts and your children will follow suit.
Comments
dreamlarger said
on 8/6/2009 I love how you stress family time and good values. These days especially in the US, family time is hard to come by.
psychonurse said
on 12/21/2008 I've always believed that a parental example is a kid's best teacher!
econ476 said
on 12/7/2008 There's more to Christmas than gifts. Good article.
EdenSharpe said
on 11/13/2008 These are wonderful, get back to basic tips for Christmas.
eaforeman5 said
on 11/3/2008 This is really a beautiful article and it puts the true meaning of Christmas back into the season.