It can be as simple as dropping spare change in the Salvation Army kettle at the mall or sending a check to your favorite charity.
But, I like to find small active ways that my son, Jake and I can participate in the gift-giving, so that he sees how lucky he is and he feels good about giving to people who really need our help.
This year we picked three small ways to give back.
First , Jake and I bought gifts for some underprivileged children through Tenth Presbyterian Church's Angel Tree. It's a charity effort to give gifts to children whose parents are in jail. Jake and I picked 2 children's names, one is a 10-year-old girl who had clothes on her wish list; the other is a 3-year-old girl who wanted baby dolls and toys. You're only allowed to spend $30 per child so that other siblings or friends who are getting gifts this way don't get jealous. But it's amazing what we came up with to make a big pile of presents for each girl! The older one got two pairs of jeans, 3 shirts and a rice krispy treat. The younger one got three baby dolls, 3 Barbies and a backpack, plus a princess wand and crown on top of the package to add oomph. Jake and I wrapped the gifts together; then carried them to church for a party for less privileged kids.
Second, for the Angel Tree children who aren't able to make it to the party, their gifts are hand-delivered on December 19TH. Jake and I signed up to help deliver the goodies. It only takes a couple hours one Saturday morning and the good feeling lasts all week. I hope it will mean lots of joy to all the "angels!"
Third, Jake's class at school is collecting baby items for the Mom-mobile…for underprivileged mothers who need some help with diapers, baby clothes, lotions/shampoo/soap, everything for their little ones. It only took a few minutes to buy some baby stuff and drop it off in the bin at school. But I could see a satisfied look on Jake's face to know he was helping.
Even in a tough economy like this one, you can give a little and it means so much to folks who don't have anything.
Hope you get a chance to share the Christmas spirit and expand your child's viewpoint on the gift of giving.
Merry Christmas! Read more Parenting Perspective blogs by visiting the Parenting Channel on 6abc.com.
