The Christmas Season is upon us and that means it’s time once again to Share in the Spirit of Giving! The reason for this season is about the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus who gave so much of him so that we could live our lives. How we live our lives should be to honor and glorify Him. I love the Christmas Holidays; the decorating, the lights, parties, music, cookie baking, the food, time with friends, family and under the mistletoe with the one you love more than anything or anyone in the world but what I love most of all is that this season is also a great time to teach the spirit of giving in children not just during the holiday seasons, but all year. It is a time for us to pay it forward to teach our children that it is truly better to give than to receive. How do we teach that how do we instill in our children and young people that by paying it forward to 5 people a week that the single act of kindness shown will enrich not only there own lives but the lives of a complete stranger as well.

Here is how you do that get ready for Holiday Lessons in Giving 101:

• Recognize the little things they do: Teach the idea of giving to others by recognizing what they are already doing. a friendly smile or a friendly word to a friend and a meaningful letter written to elderly neighbors and or grandparents are acts of giving. Cleaning out last years toys and giving the good toys to those in need. Recognizing the things your children already do is teaching them to look at giving in new ways. By doing such chances are the children will likely be so happy to know how he or she already makes a difference to others lives and will then want to give more often.

• Give your child a choice: The children are most likely more willing to learn about giving if we as parents give them that choice. Meaning give them a choice in how and what they want to give too or to whom they wish to support and give to. Ask them what are you interested in  or what kind of Charity would you want to help by doing this they will be more apt to choose a project they will finish number one but also get friends and family involved in as well. Once they have made there decision then you can have a family meeting to help brainstorm together the ways you can give back. For example, I asked my favorite little munchkin Briana “What is the one thing  you love to do this time of year more than anything that you carry with you all year long that has to do with giving ” She said serve God because he gave us his only Son so we need to give back it’s what Jesus would want she is almost 5 years old ahhh the lessons learned are priceless. It’s that excitement and enthusiasm that comes from giving choices and letting them  choose and own what they decide to do.

• Make giving a family event: The spirit of giving as part of a families mission is a great way to showcase that you as parents are also committed to helping someone in need. When making family decisions about supporting a cause or favorite charity include your children. Allow them to see the thought and or planning that goes into choosing or the thought behind not choosing a certain organizations or causes. Volunteering ones time as a family is a great way to spend time together but also makes the children realize and see the importance of giving back.

• Turn giving into activities your children already are involved in: When it comes to incorporating acts of giving into activities that the kids are involved in the possibilities and options are endless and even unlimited. When friends are over have the kids help to make holiday decorations for the elderly to distribute to nursing homes and or assisted living homes. Make decorations for your local animal shelters.  Arrange for your church youth group to sings carols and bring cheer to shut ins. Having a Holiday Party ask that your guests bring a canned food item or a toy to donate and put your child in charge of collecting the items. Whatever you do make fun out of what you are already doing.

• Give and receive: Children will go through the motions of helping others without fully understanding why they are doing it. Take the time to explain and show how the spirit of giving is received. Share the stories of families who have benefited from such amazing generosity a perfect example would be all the people that have helped the victims of Hurricane Sandy, or how Toys for Tots provides toys for needy children. Show photos of the smiles from the elderly at the assisted living or nursing homes you may have visited with your youth group for caroling. Find examples to show them how their actions have positively affected others and how they have made a difference.

We as a society all benefit when our children learn that by giving we help raise self-esteem, develop good habits and social skills, we help introduce them to the goodness in our world and encourage them to be kids that not only are grateful and appreciate what they have in there own life but that by donating, volunteering they are making a wonderful contribution to their community.

The Spirit of Giving

When caroling children appear at our door
And snowflakes embellish the tumbling leaves
The spirit of spreading warm tidings, galore
Resides from the walls to the top of the eaves
This season for giving shall evermore be
A time filled with magic, where wishes come true
Enclosed in each present found under the tree
A moment of joy that shall return to you.

Every Christmas season, we give from the heart
To friends and relations we always hold dear
Although we are often many miles apart
The spirit of giving brings our loved ones near
While distance may separate, love still remains
Within each wrapped package, we tied with a bow
And sent to valleys, the mountains and plains
To share the true meaning of holiday glow.

When trumpeting bells ring across the night sky
And candles appear in seasonal displays
We think of the ones on whom our lives rely
Then, honor them in the most selfless of ways
This season for giving shall always be praised
As the time when good tidings are freely abound
May our hearts be evermore awed and amazed
By the spirit of Christmas that our lives have found.
By Jill Eisnaugle

Some other fun ways to have your children give back:

Be a Secret Santa for a friend or neighbor

Bake Holiday Cookies or a Meal for a Church Member

Design and make your own stationary, holiday cards and or gift wrap

Build a Gingerbread House

Adopt a Soldier for the holidays

Adopt a needy family for the holidays

Deuteronomy 15:10 says
Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

There are  many ways you can show your Spirit of Giving and when you do the blessings are abundantly clear!