Giving More for the Holidays
In my Ask the Expert column from our latest company newsletter, I respond to a question from a woman interested in tips on preparing for the holidays. In addition to shopping early and planning ahead for the usual seasonal activities, this question also leads me to consider ways to our families can prepare to celebrate the season’s core values. Namely, how can parents can resist the ever-present consumerism we see around Christmas and instill in their children a sense other-centeredness that is really at the heart of the season?
I see plenty of good examples when I look at the families of my friends and colleagues. For instance, Wendy Petersen, MBF Austin’s Director of Permanent Services, does something truly great for her kids: She takes them on a field trip to the dollar store where each of them buy something for each of their siblings. I think this is a wonderful way for children to realize not only that they need to think beyond their own Christmas wishes but that it is within their power to give joy to others.
Of course, other families I know take the spirit of giving a step further by involving their kids in charitable activities for those less fortunate. Acts of philanthropy can take many different forms during the holidays - I’ve seen families do everything from filling shoeboxes with essential items for children in developing nations to volunteering their time to prepare food for the homeless on Thanksgiving. Just clearing our kids’ closets of unwanted and unused toys to give to other children, I think, supports the value of charity and discourages a hoarding mentality in children. (And, ultimately, our children will no doubt have a whole new batch of fancy toys and electronics to replace the old ones by season’s end anyway.)
No matter if we choose to have our children donate old toys or give time to charity, though, I believe that involving our kids in giving this holiday season is essential to having them understand its true meaning. When they’re young, this might mean that we take them to a paint-your-own-pottery shop so they can create gifts for others. When they’re a bit older, it can mean they earn money to buy their own gifts for friends, family and teachers. (It’s especially great when we encourage our kids to put real thought and care into these purchases!) Any way we choose to do it, however, when we engage our kids in the spirit of giving we also empower them to be more than passive recipients this season, and for seasons to come.