Generosity Unwrapped: Inspiring Kids to Give at Christmas

Generosity Unwrapped: Inspiring Kids to Give at Christmas

Hey there, fellow parents! With Christmas just around the corner, it's natural to want to instil some generosity in our little ones. We all know the festive season can quickly become a commercial whirlwind, so how do we steer our kids away from the "gimme, gimme" mentality and towards the spirit of giving? Well, I’ve got you covered with a sleigh full of ideas from people’s suggestions ranging from the simple and heartfelt to the big-hearted, that can help nurture the true essence of Christmas in your kids.

1.        Carol Singing with a Twist

Remember those days when carol singers would show up at your door looking for some spare change? How about flipping the script this time? Instead of asking for money, grab some chocolate, mince pies, or cookies and hit the streets. Share some joy and treats with your neighbours, spreading warmth and love.

2.      The Shoe Box Appeal

The Shoe Box Appeal is like the Santa Claus of generosity projects. Grab a shoebox, fill it with goodies and essentials, and donate it to a child in need. It's like playing Santa yourself, and your kids will love the idea of making another child's Christmas special. You can donate to Samaritan's Purse or a local Rotary Club. https://occ.samaritans-purse.org.uk/

3.       Join the 'Delivering Joy' Campaign

You can also participate in the 'Delivering Joy' campaign. Pick up a tag from one of the Christmas trees in the store, buy or make a gift, then return it with the tag. You can also give online gifts through their charity partner, Mind. It's a fun way to get the whole family involved in spreading joy. https://www.dunelm.com/info/delivering-joy-at-christmas

4.       Toys for Other Children

Encourage your kids to choose toys they no longer play with or think others will enjoy and donate them to a charity shop or give as a present. It's a great lesson in sharing something of yourself that has meaning and memories with others. Also a great way to declutter!

5.      Get Crafty and Bake

Depending on your kids' interests, spend some quality time crafting or baking homemade gifts for friends and family. Bird feeders, hot chocolate spoons, Christmas decorations, and homemade treats like jam or fudge can make wonderful presents.

6.       The 3-Gift Rule

Take inspiration from the Three Wise Men! Set a limit of three gifts for each family member – a "Gold" gift (main gift), a "Frankincense" gift (medium gift), and a "Myrrh" gift (token gift). This not only simplifies Christmas but also keeps the focus on the true meaning of the holiday.

7.       Twin Their Toilet

Yes, you read that right! Twinning your toilet means you're supporting projects to provide safe sanitation around the world. It's a unique and meaningful way to teach kids about global charity. https://toilettwinning.org/

8.      Child Sponsorship as a Family

Why not sponsor a child together as a family? It's a wonderful way to teach your kids about the world outside their own and make a lasting impact. https://www.compassionuk.org/

9.      Spread Love with Food

Gather some food platters and give them to the homeless, or secretly drop off goodies to people who are going through tough times. Acts of kindness, no matter how small, can truly make a difference.

10.   The Reverse Advent Box

This is like a countdown to kindness! Every day leading up to Christmas, add something to a box, and then a few days before Christmas, donate it to a food bank. It's a tangible way to show your kids the importance of giving back. https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/

11.     The 3-Way Give

Similar to a previous idea, this one give some extra structure through teaching your children the concept of three kinds of giving: something they've grown out of, something that matters to them, and something they spend money to buy for someone else.

12.   Handmade Christmas Prezzies

Gifts made with love, time, thought, and effort are often more cherished than store-bought ones. Get creative and make something special for your loved ones.

13.    Make a Blessings List

Create a list of people you want to bless and decide how to do it. Make it age-appropriate for the kids, like writing letters to grandad, baking cookies for a friend, or giving thank-you notes to people who help you all year round.

14.    Charity Shop Adventures

Take your kids to charity shops and let them choose presents for each other. It's a great way to teach them about second-hand treasures and giving back.

15.   Simplify Christmas

Simplifying Christmas can help shift the focus from materialism to what truly matters. Consider reducing the number of gifts and embracing the joy of spending time together.

16.    The Gift of Charity

Consider giving charity gifts in your kids' names. It's a great way to teach them about helping others and making a positive impact on the world. https://onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/unwrapped/category/oxfam-unwrapped

17.    Secret Santa Family Style

Try a family Secret Santa where each person draws a name and buys a thoughtful gift for that person. It ensures everyone gets something special without breaking the bank.

18.    Encourage Experience Visits

Sometimes experiences are worth more than physical gifts. Consider gifting experiences like theatre visits, theme parks, museums, zoos etc… to create lasting memories.

19.   Embrace an Alternative Advent Calendar

Instead of chocolate, opt for an alternative Advent Calendar that highlights the needs of others, like refugee children. It's a meaningful way to count down to Christmas. https://shop.embraceme.org/products/ag-childrens-alternative-advent-calendar https://meaningfulchocolate.co.uk/pages/real-advent-calendar

20.  A Family Christmas Shopping Day

Have a day where your kids get a budget to choose and buy presents for close family members. It's a fun way to involve them in the gift-giving process and create lasting memories.

21.   10 things

Similar to previous ideas, this is about choosing ten categories and buying little presents for each category for your child. They can be different or the same each year but idea is variety. So you could have something you wear, something to eat, something to build etc… but you can also build in categories such as something to play with your sibling, something to make and give away, something to read to a grandparent etc…

When it comes to getting crafty and spreading Christmas cheer, don't forget the golden rule: lead the way with your own generosity. Want to know the secret sauce to getting your little elves to be more generous? It's simple – you be the chief elf! But here's the scoop: don't limit it to just the jolly season. Kids are like sponges, and they soak up everything you do. So, sprinkle kindness, share your love, and let's be generous not just during the festive season but all year round.

So there you have it, folks! This Christmas, let's not just focus on the presents under the tree but also on the love and kindness we can share. These ideas will not only bring smiles to those who receive but will fill your children's hearts with the true spirit of Christmas. Merry Christmas, and may your season be filled with joy, love, and lots of giving! 🎄🎅🎁