This is a time of year spent gearing up for the holidays, with promises of fabulous feasts, good company, and long-awaited presents. Children may already be making their lists - checking them twice - and adding on to it as the latest toy pops up on a television ad. But an important part of the holiday season is charitable giving and the learning experiences that come with it.
Making Charitable Giving A High Priority
- Start teaching children about charitable giving and helping others from young age.
- Teaching a child how to be charitable can balance out their natural selfishness for toys, snacks and other items that she wants as soon as she sees them.
- Volunteer with your tween and clock some quality time together while making a difference.
- College kids can find ways to give back during the holiday season and start new holiday traditions of their own.
- The to-do list just keeps growing as the holidays approach, but there are ways to find time to volunteer.
- Encourage your gifted or sensitive child to volunteer so they can see that their charitable actions can make a difference.
- Some children with special needs may have trouble understanding contributions that are not specific and concrete, but Coinstar machines are a great way to teach children that even the smallest contribution is welcomed.
- There are many different-themed Christmas parties, but think about hosting one that asks guests to bring canned goods to be donated to charity.
- Work-at-home moms may have a flexible schedule that allows them to volunteer for causes of interest to them and their children.
- If you're short of money this holiday season, put your crafting skills to work to create a lovely donation.
- Share one of your creative volunteer ideas so others can pitch in or learn from other charitable donation ideas that others have successfully completed.
Charitable Giving Ideas
Often-Forgotten Services That Need Help
Four Ways to Help Your Fellow Servicemember
Calendars for Special-Needs Awareness
Sites for Promoting Philanthropy in Children
For more holiday ideas, please check out the creative tips and useful resources in our About Family Holiday Survival Guide.