The Chirping Moms

6 Ways to Encourage Giving This Holiday Season

Year after year, one of the things that we stress with our kids during the holidays is that Christmas isn’t just about receiving.  Kids, just like adults, can find the true joy in Christmas by giving to others.  Trust me, my kids are just as excited as any other child to see what lies under the tree for them come Christmas morning.  But, I intentionally try to teach them that Christmas is a season to be kind, share their love, and give to others.  I’m hoping that the more I encourage gratitude and kindness, the more it will become a habit.  There are so many simple things that you can do with your children to help encourage kindness and the spirit of giving, especially in the busy holiday season.  Below, I am sharing six simple things you can do with your kids to encourage the spirit of giving this holiday season.

6 Ways to Give to Others This Holiday Season
 
1.  Get involved in local community activities that give back.  Both my boys’ elementary school & our local church have several ways that we can give to others during the holiday season.  This year, our family has participated in several opportunities to give back. The kids have enjoyed shopping for food for the local food bank, collecting coats for the local shelter, and donating baseballs for shoeboxes being packed for children in Haiti this holiday season.
 
2.  Another simple way to give back is to take advantage of the super easy ways that technology allows us to give back.  Just by downloading the Donate a Photo app, your family can help give to others.  For every photo shared through the free Donate a Photo app, Johnson & Johnson donates $1 to one of it’s non-profit partners, chosen by you.  There are a wide range of causes to support including survivors from the recent Tennessee wildfires, Operation Smile, and survivors from Hurricane Matthew.   By sharing your picture to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, you can also help spread the word and inspire others to donate too.  You can donate up to one photo a day, every day.  It’s a super easy way to help others each day, even after the holiday season is over!

Johnson & Johnson has curated a list of trusted causes, and you can donate a photo to one cause, once a day. Each cause will appear in the app until it reaches its goal, or the donation period ends. If the goal isn’t reached, the cause will still get a minimum donation.

3.  Teach your children about St. Nick, another name for Santa Claus.  St. Nicholas was actually a real Saint who was known for being kind, helping those in need, and for his love for children.  St. Nicholas often left things for those in need, without wanting any rewards or publicity.  By reading stories & teaching your child about St. Nick, you can encourage kids to give to others.
4.  Another easy way to give back during the holiday season is to shop the Save the Children “Gifts of Joy” holiday catalog.  Instead of purchasing a gift to send to someone, you pick out an item that will be donated in honor of that special someone.  Gift ideas include : school supplies, soccer balls, essential vitamins & medicine, and so much more.  This could be a great alternative for the kids to pick out gifts for extended family, while helping those in need around the country and world.  Johnson & Johnson have been a long-time partner of Save the Children, offering products and assistance to help support the basic health and hygiene needs for families.  For each gift purchased from the catalog, Johnson & Johnson will match each donation (up to $450,000).  

5.  Read stories that encourage holiday giving.  Stories are one of my favorite way to encourage behaviors that we want to instill in our children.  Some of our favorite picture books that inspire kindness and giving include:  The Berenstain Bears & the Joy of Giving, The Legend of St. Nicholas, and Silver Packages.  
6.  Last, but certainly not least, encourage everyday acts of kindness to others.  Giving doesn’t have to be hard or a lot of work.  You can give to others by just some simple acts of love.  I have included a simple printable that we have shared in the past, that encourages kids to “Spread Love & Kindness” during the Christmas season.

 
Regardless of what holiday is celebrated this season, the spirit of giving rings throughout the entire winter season.  We hope that these six simple ways encourage your family to spread the love and kindness this year and in the future!

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