In a season inundated with so much mass marketing and merchandise, kids in particular need a little reminder that it's just as important to give as it is to get. You can teach your children about the value of kindness towards others in a small way, or a big one. Try one or more of these as a way of setting examples for the season:
- Make up inexpensive gift bags of small items for residents of a local senior center. Buy paper sacks in bulk, have the kids decorate the outside. Fill with travel-sized items like lotion, toothpaste, lip balm, Kleenex, pencils & notepads, puzzle books, etc. Include a hand-made ornament if you're feeling crafty. You can easily fill about two dozen bags for about $50, if you shop wisely. Take the kids with you when you drop off your goodie bags.
- Adopt a needy family. Get a name from either a social services agency, a mall Christmas tree, or even a school. Put together a holiday dinner for them, as well as gift items. Find out what they need -- gift cards for a local gas station might be perfect, or even a shopping spree at a grocery store. Get the names and sizes for the kids in the family, and do some shopping -- buy items in multiple colors or styles if you can manage it.
- Donate to a local toy drive -- the US Marine Corps and many fire stations host an annual Toys for Tots drive each year. Have your kids select a toy or two to purchase and donate -- be sure to take the children with you to drop of the toys, and explain to them why you're doing it.
- Got a neighbor who's elderly or disabled? Surprise them by shoveling snow for them, or raking leaves up out of their yard. Offer to help them hang up their holiday lights, so they're not injured climbing a ladder.
- Bake cookies or bread for a teacher, friend, or neighbor, just for fun. Drop them off with a note telling them how much you appreciate the recipient.
