One of the easiest ways to limit holiday stress is to take time to think of others. Stepping outside of ourselves, we gain the needed perspective to appreciate what we have. Consider scheduling time for giving during winter break and talk with your kids about volunteering or donating.
You can begin by talking with your kids about people in the world who may not have as much food or shelter as we are lucky to have. If you haven’t already talked much about others in need, be prepared to answer questions. Explain that volunteering and donating is doing something nice for other people without asking for anything in return. Ask your child for her ideas how she can help others and how the family can help others together. Together pick one or more actions to take to give to those in need this holiday season. Here are a few ideas to get your family started:
- Make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, knit scarves or put together kits with a granola bar and warm socks to pass out to homeless men and women.
- Make holiday crafts and bring them to a senior center to decorate the home. Call in advance of course! And if you can, stay to sing carols or play games with the senior citizens.
- Go through your closets and boxes together and pick out old toys and clothes to donate. Later schedule time to bring these items to your local donation center together.
- Gather a team and some tools to help out your neighbors by raking leaves, shoveling snow and generally cleaning up their yard.
- Make holiday cards and write letters to soldiers overseas.
- Donate old books and new favorites to a book drive for children in need.
- Create a hot chocolate stand or other simple fundraiser to raise money and donate to your favorite charity.
- Let your family discuss and pick a charity together to donate to this winter.
Keep an eye out for food drives, coat drives and other events in your area or check out Volunteer Match for volunteer events in your neighborhood.
What do you do to encourage the giving spirit in kids?
