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Christmas is one of the most exciting times of year, especially for children! There’s the build up to Christmas Day, the food, family buzz and bustle as everyone visits and brings meals and presents, spends time together and enjoys being a family.
How to teach the meaning of the season and that giving is more important than receiving
Here are some ways to keep the meaning of the season alive, and to focus on giving this year!
Buy Books!
These books are amazing and tear-jerking; take a look at them if you’re looking to buy some special books that teach children about giving and generosity in the most beautiful ways:
My friend Fred – a story about sharing friends in friendship.
The Giving Tree – a sweet story about generosity and sacrifice.
Boxes For Katie – a touching story about giving to those less fortunate.
The Giving Book – a fun book with learning activities, encouraging kids to give back to the world.
Silver Packages – a story about repaying back kindness with kindness.
The Spiffiest Giant In Town – a story about giving and remembering that it’s who you are inside that counts most!
Follow Iceland’s Tradition Of Giving
In Iceland, there’s a tradition where people buy other peoples books for Christmas, give them to each other on Christmas eve, and spend the evening reading. It’s such a popular tradition that they have a ‘Jolabokaflod’ or ‘Christmas book flood’ and huge amounts of books are bought between September and December in anticipation for Christmas eve. This awesome tradition has it’s benefits – it’s said that 1 in 10 Icelanders will publish a book in their lifetime!
Buy or make gifts for others, and include your kids in the choosing
- Plan, shop for and wrap siblings gifts with each child, and discuss how you think they will feel when they receive it.
- Bake or cook something delicious and give it to a neighbor or friend who would love it, or who is lonely this Christmas.
Ways You Can Give In The Festive Season:
- Purposefully – with intent, because you know someone you love will appreciate this gift.
- Secretly – because giving someone a surprise gift gives them great joy, and you too.
- Cheerfully – with good intent and a loving heart.
- Generously – because showing people we love them flows from our hearts and we can spend a little extra lavishing them with things they’d love!
- Regularly – giving doesn’t have to be limited just to the festive season; make it a habit.
Ways You Can Discuss Giving With Your Child
- While you are cooking, include them and cook for someone else.
- Encourage your child to make some beautiful art for someone who is stuck indoors.
- Give as a family to a sponsorship program and sponsor a child or family in need.
- Discuss what items of clothing or toys your child would like to give to other kids in need.
Questions You Can Ask Your Child About Giving
- How did it feel to give?
- Would you like to give again?
- What would you give next time and to whom?
- Has anyone ever given you anything as a surprise, and how did it make you feel?
Giving is a huge part of the festive season, but as a child the most exciting part is the receiving, which is natural. However, it’s important to teach them that giving is just as important, and that it’s special to take other people’s feelings and needs into consideration in everyday life, especially in this season. A lesson in EQ, if you will..
How do you teach your children about giving in the festive season? We’d love to hear your ideas!
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