The Christmas Season is filled with so much joy, excitement, laughter and often many gifts. While it’s wonderful to see my children’s faces light up with delight, it’s also a perfect time to teach them the value of gratitude and giving back. 

Here are some meaningful ways to help your kids cultivate a grateful and giving heart during this gift-giving season.

1. Practice Daily Gratitude

Encourage your children to reflect on the things they are thankful for each day. Whether it’s asking them one thing they are thankful for or having a family gratitude jar where everyone writes down something they’re grateful for and reads them together at the end of the season. Maybe it’s before bedtime and talking about something you’re thankful for. JJ and I started this practice before he goes to bed and we talk about what we are thankful for. I think it’s important as moms and kids to find something we are grateful for on the hard days, not just the good days. This simple practice can shift our focus from what they want to what they already have.

Idea: Turn it into a bedtime routine by saying what your’ thankful for and pray before bedtime. 

2. Involve Them in Acts of Kindness

Teaching kids to give back is one of the best ways to instill gratitude. This season, involve your children in activities that help others. We made a lot of Christas cookies and took some to my small group. We made cookie boxes together and we all took some to deliver to local fire stations and police stations. This was such a fun experience for the kids. They got to ask questions and it was a great way to give back to our community. 

Examples:

• Bake holiday cookies together and deliver them to local fire stations and police stations as a thank-you for their service.
• Donate gently used toys or clothes to a charity or shelter.
• Give food to local food banks. 
• Volunteer as a family at a local food bank or soup kitchen.

3. Write Thank-You Notes

Help your children write thank-you notes for the gifts they receive, emphasizing the thoughtfulness of the giver. This small gesture not only teaches gratitude but also shows the importance of acknowledging others’ efforts. Also write thank you notes to their teachers or 

therapists with a small gift if possible.

Tip: Provide fun stationery or let younger kids draw pictures if they’re too young to write.

4. Create a “Giving List”

Maybe have your child create a “giving list.” Ask them to think about how they can give back to others during the season. It could include helping a sibling, making a homemade gift for a grandparent or donating allowance money to a cause. This is a great time for them to go through their toys and maybe they can create a pile of gently used toy to someone in need. We have purchased $5 gift cards from Target. While we were walking to the car, we gave them to random strangers. Teaching them about giving is so important. 

5. Read Stories About Gratitude

Use holiday-themed books and stories to reinforce the concept of gratitude. Stories about giving, kindness and appreciation can resonate with children and inspire meaningful conversations.

Suggestions:

• The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks by Jan & Mike Berenstain
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

6. Reflect on the True Meaning of the Season

Take time to talk as a family about the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus. Reminding them and ourselves that we need to celebrate Jesus being born. 

I’ve learned that by incorporating these practices, I can guide my children toward an attitude of gratitude, thankfulness and giving that will last well beyond the holidays. I know my children learned some of  the best lessons often from my example. 

So as moms, let’s set the example for our kids and model gratitude and generosity in our daily life.

Merry Christmas