‘Tis the Season for Giving—or getting? The Winter Holidays have become highly commercialized and seem to focus on getting rather than giving. Some parents have expressed their concerns to me that their children expect lots of expensive gifts for the holidays. Instead of focusing on getting, let’s teach our kids to give.

Here are 5 ideas for helping kids give to others:

1. Consider “adopting” a family: Throughout the year, we meet and sometimes befriend people who may be experiencing hardship. The holidays can be a chance to “adopt” or bless another family, where you select a family for whom you buy gifts or give a meal. Decide upon a spending limit based upon your budget and invite the children to think of ways of giving to that family. This activity can help teach children empathy, compassion, and perspective-taking.
2. Volunteer for a Shelter: Consider having your child lead a “Toiletry Drive” at their school for a local shelter for the holidays. Your child can encourage their schoolmates to donate toiletries, non-perishable foods, and other goods (e.g., socks). With the permission of your child’s teacher and principal, decorate boxes and place them in areas in the school building where students drop off their items. Select a deadline. Deliver the boxes of goods to the shelter of your choosing as your holiday gift.
3. Volunteer at a local Food Pantry: Some cities have food pantries or food banks that allow for people of certain ages to volunteer stocking shelves, unloading merchandise, and the like. Consider having your family volunteer at a local food pantry during the holiday season. If there are no volunteer work opportunities, then consider donating non-perishable food and other goods to the food bank to other families.
4. Donate outgrown clothing: The holidays are a great time to do some “winter cleaning” and clean out the closets and drawers. Donate clothing your children have outgrown to a local shelter. Have the entire family participate. Some shelters will also accept toys and children’s books. When donating goods, only give items that you would want to receive. Nobody wants your trash.
5. Assist an Elder: Some of our elders are alone during the holidays, which can be isolating and depressing for them. Consider having your family be an “angel” to an older adult that you know in your neighborhood or community. You could bring them a meal, shovel snow from the walkway, help with household chores (e.g., wash dishes), rake leaves, or just spend some time with them.

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