The Holiday is season is one that is no doubt convoluted in its true meaning. Though most can agree that the season is about love, being with those you cherish, and celebrating your faith, many get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season, surrounding themselves with so much stress financially and socially, that they almost forget the meaning of the season in the first place.
Come this holiday season, your children have probably already expressed their Christmas wish list desires to you and since many of them may still believe in Santa Claus, they have no barometer for understanding that their request just doesn’t fit into the budget this year.
How are you going to balance reality with your children, while giving them a happy Christmas season to remember where they don’t feel betrayed by all that is good in the world when they don’t get what they wanted. We’ve got some suggestions.
Make Room for the New
Take your children into their room where they store all of their clothes, toys, gadgets, etc. and explain to them that in order to make room for the new, they have to clear out some of the old. This is a simple way to teach your children about the millions of others who don’t have anything and will receive nothing for Christmas unless somebody steps in to help.
If your child can see that they are blessed with a lot, they might be better apt to give their possessions to those in need, or to forfeit their new Christmas gifts altogether and instead donate them to the children who have nothing to look foreword to on Christmas day.
No matter how this turns out, everybody wins. You might even decide to surprise your child with a gift anyways just because of how willing they were to sacrifice their own Christmas for those in need.
Volunteer During the Season
The holidays are particularly hard on those without a lot, including homes or family. Sometime during the Holiday season, put aside some time to serve with your family at local shelter or food kitchen. If you can’t do this, make a contribution to any other charity in any way you can. By doing so, you’re exposing your kids to the reality of things, but showing them that they have the power to make difference.
This also might help bring perspective to your child in the short and long run that will help them be more successful, empathetic people who live their lives to make a difference.
Spread the Love
This is perhaps the most important part of the holiday season. During this time, do everything in your power to spread the love to those around you. Teach your kids to do the same thing. It will not only make a difference during the season, but it will filter into the rest of the year and into the rest of your lives.
Encourage your child to be the one to open doors for others, to say please and thank you at every opportunity, to compliment those around them…the list goes on and on. By implementing these small things during the holiday season, you’re creating gifts that keep on giving and supplying your children with memories and habits that will last a lifetime.
Originally posted on November 22, 2015 @ 2:09 pm
