Teaching Kids to Give

With so much emphasis on Santa, his elves, holiday shopping trips and ads that bombard us with whatever this year’s hot toy is, it’s easy for kids to get wrapped up in the “getting” part of Christmas and forget about the flipside: the giving. So, how can you teach your kids the importance and the real joy of doing for others? Shift the focus from “me, mine and want” to “others, love and giving” with these simple tips.

Tell Them About It: Take the time to sit down and explain what it means to really give to someone else. Help them understand and appreciate their blessings, and why sharing some of what they have by giving to others is not just right, but rewarding too.

Put It in Action: Ask your kids to forgo one of their presents this year, and instead, help you use that money to choose a toy or item for someone in need. Let them go with you to drop the toy off at the agency or, if possible, to the recipient, so they can see the happiness their gift brings.

Do It Together: The best way to teach your children how to be good givers is to show them through your own actions. Choose a philanthropic project you can do as a family, and make sure every family member is equally involved.

Say No to Store-Bought: Take emphasis off of material gifts and encourage your kids to instead give their time to help a sibling with a project or chore or help you around the house. Have them create a simple booklet of coupons that are redeemable for specific things like raking the yard, cooking dinner and more. Make sure the gifts of help go beyond the chores they’re already expected to do. They can also give their talents. Instead of buying something to give to grandparents, neighbors or friends, they can bake cookies, paint a picture, sew a set of dishtowels or write a poem or song.

Teach the Value of Money: It’s never too early to teach kids about money, and the holidays provide a perfect setting. If your child gets an allowance, encourage them to put a portion of it in a jar or piggy bank to be used on gifts for family and friends. Striving for a specific goal puts a positive spin on saving and having them buy gifts themselves reinforces the fact that money does not grow on trees. Encourage them to put a bit more in another jar that they can give to a holiday charity or cause.

Share the Experience: When your kids experience true giving, make sure you talk about it as a family. Have them tell you what it felt like and if they enjoyed it. Or have them write about it in a journal. Talking about it and putting their feelings on paper will help them form memories they’ll want to repeat.

Make It a Lifestyle: Christmas is a wonderful time to turn our focus to others, but to really embrace giving and make it a habit at your house, you need to do it year-round. Remember that you can give without buying a thing. Often, the gift of time is more valuable than material items. Encourage your kids to engage in simple acts of giving, like taking a few moments to write a letter to someone who is sick, doing a chore or two for an elderly neighbor, baking cookies to take to a nursing home or taking on responsibilities for a sibling when they need a hand.

Do As You Say: The best way to teach your children your values is by letting them see you practice what you preach. Make sure you lead by example when it comes to giving, and giving cheerfully.