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Give Away: A New Holiday
Tradition
by Colleen Langenfeld
As the holidays approach this year and gift-giving (and shopping)
begins, I can recognize one true fact: My kids don't NEED anything.
That being said, I still want them to learn about the blessings of
giving and receiving. I also want them to learn about personal limits. I
especially want them to learn that not everyone has it so good.
Moreover, that leads into learning that they have a responsibility to
others.
If you are interested in teaching your kids similar values, here's a
simple exercise that can get them thinking along these lines.
Go through their room and belongings - together - and create a giveaway
box.
'Oh, I do that regularly', you may say. Great! But this time, do it
intentionally, and with your child. Maximize the teaching benefits such
a time provides:
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Your child will probably be getting new stuff for the holidays. Fill a
box with the toys, clothes and such that no longer fit, are used up, or
are broken. Talk to your child about sharing the wealth!
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Fix what you can and donate it. By doing this WITH your child, they
learn about thrift, value and recycling. It's a wasteful society that
says something only has value when it's new. In addition, it's
satisfying to make something be useful again.
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Follow through on your donations...together! Let your child research
charities that are gathering toys for the holidays. Let your child
figure out the details of getting that box of clothes to the right group
whom can put it to use. Kids are hungry for leadership roles; let them
organize a neighborhood clothes or toy drive for the needy in your area.
(Remember to lend your adult supervision to all of their efforts!)
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Talk about the toys they got last year at the holidays. Are they still
playing with them? Why or why not? This is another great way to get your
kids thinking about the value of their possessions. Talk about how many
hours it took to work last year to have the kind of holiday your family
enjoyed. Ask your child if they would be willing to work that long for
someone else's enjoyment.
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Create ways for your children to give to others. Once they're thinking
about helping, it's natural for kids to come up with simple solutions to
the problems they see. Some of those gently-worn clothes could be sold
at the local consignment shop and the money used to buy a Christmas
dinner for a family that wouldn't otherwise have one. Those no-longer
needed books and puzzles can be cleaned up and given to the local
homeless shelter. And on and on!
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After the clean-up work is done, have your kids create their wish lists
for this upcoming holiday season. Talk about a family budget and what is
reasonable for 'stuff'. Consider encouraging everyone to forfeit one
item on their list and then use that money to improve another family's
holiday season.
By doing this regular 'chore' as a family project, you can share your
values with your precious children and start a holiday tradition that
can have tremendous meaning for your family for years to come!
About the author
Colleen Langenfeld delivers deals, tips and creative resources to
working moms who want the most out of their homes, families and careers
at
http://www.paintedgold.com. Sign up for our FREE online newsletter
and get a digital Creativity Toolkit as our gift to you!
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