Gifts Of Giving: Children Sharing Christmas Cheer

Christmas is a time for giving, and it's never too early to teach children about generosity and helping those in need. There are many ways children can give to others during the festive season, from simple acts of kindness to more organised initiatives. Teaching children to focus their hearts and minds outward can be done through activities that help them understand the impact of their actions on others. Here are some ideas to get started:

Adopt a family

Adopting a family for Christmas is a wonderful way to spread joy and make a difference during the festive season. Here are some ways your family can get involved and bring cheer to another family:

Contact Local Organisations

Reach out to local organisations such as Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, or The Salvation Army, to enquire about their Adopt-a-Family programs. These organisations will be able to match you with a family in need, provide information about their specific situation, and guide you on how to proceed.

Understand the Family's Needs and Wishes

Once you have been matched with a recipient family, you will receive information about their needs and wishes. This may include details such as the family's size, ages, genders, and any specific gift requests. This information will help you plan and purchase gifts that are meaningful and useful to the family.

Shop and Prepare Gifts

Involve your children in the shopping process, teaching them about generosity and the joy of giving. Purchase gifts according to the family's needs and wishes. This could include a range of items such as clothing, toys, books, hygiene products, household items, and even a special holiday meal.

Delivery and Drop-off

Some organisations may allow you to deliver the gifts directly to the family, providing an opportunity to meet them and spread holiday cheer in person. Alternatively, you can arrange for the gifts to be delivered by a worker or volunteer from the organisation. Most deliveries are typically set up the week before Christmas to ensure timely assistance.

Spread Holiday Cheer

By adopting a family, you are not only providing gifts but also spreading joy and making a difficult time a little brighter for a family in need. This act of kindness will not only touch the recipient family but also teach your own family valuable lessons about compassion and community involvement.

Remember to sign up early if you're interested, as most programs have a wider range of families to choose from earlier in the season.

Send cards to military personnel

Sending Christmas cards to military personnel is a great way for children to give to other children during the festive season. Many children of military personnel spend Christmas away from their parents, so receiving a card can be a great way to boost morale and show support.

There are several organizations that facilitate the sending of cards to military personnel, such as Support Our Troops, America's Adopt a Soldier, and Military Holiday Card Challenge. These organizations often have specific guidelines for sending cards, which should be followed to ensure that the cards are acceptable and can be delivered safely. Some common guidelines include:

• Addressing the card to "Dear Warrior" or "Dear Hero"
• Writing a respectful, polite, and positive message
• Including a personal note or holiday greeting
• Signing only your first name and the town and state where you live
• Not including your email or mailing address
• Keeping homemade cards to a standard paper size, such as 8 x 11 paper folded in half
• Not sealing envelopes or cards, as they may need to be inspected

It's also important to remember that you cannot write directly to individual deployed soldiers. Cards should be sent to the organization, which will then forward them on to the troops.

By following these guidelines and working with reputable organizations, children can send Christmas cards to military personnel and spread some holiday cheer. It's a great way to teach children about giving to others and showing appreciation for those who serve our country.

Donate toys to hospitals

Donating toys to hospitals is a great way for children to give to other children during Christmas. Many hospitals welcome donations of toys and other gifts for their young patients, and this can bring joy and comfort to those spending the festive season in hospital.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital accepts toy donations for their young patients. They ask that all gifts are new and non-violent in nature. The address for donations is:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Attn: NMO (Non-Monetary Operations)

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105

Levine Children's Hospital

Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, also accepts donations of toys and gifts for their patients. They ask that all items are new, with tags or in original packaging, and can be cleaned and sanitized. They also accept handmade blankets, provided they are washable. Donations are by appointment only, and a staff member will meet donors outside the hospital to accept the gifts.

Hemby Children's Hospital

Hemby Children's Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, welcomes donations of new toys and gifts for children of all ages, from newborns to 18-year-olds. They request that donations are non-violent and non-religious. In-person donations can be dropped off at:

The Belk House, 220 Hawthorne Lane

Charlotte, NC 28204

Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Other Ideas

If your local hospital does not accept toy donations, there are other ways to give. Many hospitals allow visits from groups of family and friends, and you could organize a carol concert or another festive activity for the children's ward. Alternatively, you could deliver baked goods to the hospital staff on Christmas Day, to show your appreciation for their hard work over the holidays.

Gift to the needy

Christmas is a time for giving and there are many ways that children can get involved in this. Here are some ideas for how children can give to other children who are in need:

Adopt a Family

"Adopting" a disadvantaged family for Christmas can be a great way to inspire a sense of giving in your children. Contact your local charities or visit volunteermatch.org to be matched with a family. You can brainstorm gift ideas with your family, go shopping, and then wrap the gifts together before dropping them off. This is a wonderful way to teach children about the importance of giving and helping those less fortunate.

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child is a fantastic initiative that invites families to pack a shoebox full of gifts for children in need around the world. Your children will love playing an active part in making another child's Christmas brighter. You can even track the destination of your box! This is a great way to teach children about generosity and the joy of giving.

Local Initiatives

There are often local initiatives that children can get involved with to give back during the Christmas period. For example, you can find "giving trees" where children can choose a child their age to buy a gift for. Alternatively, you can seek out individuals to help through local schools or churches, who are often aware of students or families that could use some extra support.

Spontaneous Acts of Kindness

Sometimes the best moments of service aren't planned. You can teach children to look out for opportunities to help others, whether it's shovelling a neighbour's driveway, paying for a stranger's dinner, or leaving a goodie basket on someone's doorstep. These spontaneous acts of kindness can bring just as much joy as planned initiatives and are a great way to keep the spirit of giving alive throughout the year.

Teach Generosity

One of the best ways to encourage children to give to others is to model generous behaviour yourself. Teach them to give by involving them in the process of making gifts for family members, or by donating canned food or money to those in need. These simple acts can help children understand the impact of their actions and foster a lifelong attitude of generosity.

Volunteer at a shelter

Volunteering at a shelter is a great way to teach children about empathy and compassion. It can also help them develop a sense of responsibility for their community and appreciate what they have.

• Shelters for people experiencing homelessness: Children can help sort and distribute food at food banks or food pantries, or even prepare and serve meals at soup kitchens or shelters. They can also collect and donate clothing and other necessary items, such as toiletries. Some shelters may also organise activities for children to participate in, such as reading to younger kids or helping with arts and crafts.
• Animal shelters: Many animal shelters welcome child volunteers. Children can help with a variety of tasks, such as organising supply drives, caring for cats, reading to cats, walking dogs, and even becoming dog handlers (depending on their age).
• Women's shelters: Some organisations that help women and children escaping domestic violence may offer volunteer opportunities, such as helping with daycare and special events.

Frequently asked questions