The holiday season is the perfect time to focus on the things that are most important to us... family, friendships, the betterment of our community - just to name a few. That being said, it's easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. We run from store to store (or click from site to site) buying gifts for our loved ones. We often lose sight of the real reasons for the season. Our kids are no exception. They know that new toys are right around the corner because, after all, they've been GOOD this year! But what about their old toys?
There they are, sitting in a disheveled pile in some toy bin. This is the perfect time and opportunity to talk to your kids about how lucky they are and how, unfortunately, there are a lot of kids less fortunate than them - kids right here in our community that would only dream of having all those toys to play with! But there's a way they can help. Ask your kids to dive into their toys and fill a bag or two of their gently used toys they no longer play with, then donate them to a local charity. Early December is the perfect time to make a donation to the Salvation Army, Goodwill, or other charities nearby that can help all families make their holidays as grand as possible.
Opening presents is so much fun but for some reason GIVING always feels more gratifying to me. If we can get our kids to understand the importance of giving, I believe their holidays will be more meaningful to them. Maybe they will appreciate the gifts they receive this year - and if not, at least you'll have room for them! Happy holidays to you and your family!
