You don’t have to be rich, famous, or even a grown-up to
give memorable and much-appreciated gifts to those you care about. This holiday season you and your kids
can talk about how gift giving is about more than how much a person spends. You
can help your kids understand that there are many ways to give, but that it is
important for each of us to find the way that suits us — and the recipient —
best. Some will offer their time, some will offer their talent, and some will
share new treasures.
As we come into the home stretch this holiday season, some
of the best items on your kid’s gift-giving list just might be gifts of
themselves.
There are fun and simple ways to help your kids decide
what and how to offer of their precious time and talents as part of their gift
giving this year. With a little help from you, these personal offerings can be
presented and delivered as creative certificates and may just be the most
memorable part of the season.
When to
Do
Quiet evening or weekend time
What to
do:
Sit down with your kids and their gift-giving lists. Who
do they need to think up a present for? Who would especially enjoy a gift of
their time or talent? Start by picking a single person, and repeat these three
easy steps for as many recipients as your kids want to gift in this way.
1. Talk
about the person. Share what you both know about the person, including chores
she or he needs to do regularly as well as hobbies and interests.
2. Ask your
kid, “Is there something you could do to help [name], or something [name] would
love to do with you?” Help your kids think of good ideas.
3. Assemble
paper, markers, stickers, and such. Create fun personalized “gift certificates”
that name what the gift will be. Make sure they’re lovingly signed and placed
in decorated envelopes or wrapped in colorful paper.
How
about these ideas?
1. Giving
Mom an hour of peace and quiet
2. Going to
bed without being asked
3. Singing
six songs, on request
4. Giving
Dad a ten-minute backrub
5. Water
Aunt [name] plants while she is on vacation next summer
6. Company
on a walk around the neighborhood
7. Helping
Grandma make cookies for holiday dinner
8. Telling
a bedtime story to a younger sibling
9. Making
breakfast and cleaning up for Mom
10.Telling
three new jokes or riddles for Grandpa
What you
will need
Paper, craft paper
Pens
Markers
Stickers
Glue
Scissors
Tape
Old magazines and newspapers
Talk
about it
What did your kids think of giving their time or talent to
someone instead of buying them a gift? Did they feel as good about it as they
do about giving a purchased gift? Was it even more satisfying, or less
satisfying? How did it make them feel to make the coupons? What did they think
was the most fun?
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