If we’re not careful, Christmas can become a time when we get so worried about what we’ll get right away that we lose sight of what’s important. Spending time with loved ones, sharing gratitude, giving thoughtful gifts, and sharing with those less fortunate are some of the things we want families to focus on during the holidays. is. As my children have grown, I have worked hard to find creative ways to teach them the joy of Christmas.
I mentioned how I try to keep Christmas simple by buying one gift for each member of my family. We have been enjoying Advent as we wait and prepare for Christmas. Another tradition we do each year is to celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 6th. On this day, we celebrate real people who helped people in the community have a bright holiday.
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When my kids grow up, I want them to remember all the fun we had on vacation together, not what gifts they got (or didn’t get). I also want to instill in them a sense of helping others. Spreading the Christmas joy to others is important to me because we already have so much.
Teaching children the joy of Christmas is a combination of family traditions and activities to spread Christmas joy to others. Here are some ways I teach children the joy of Christmas.
random kindness
One of my favorite ways to teach children the joy of Christmas is to have them perform random acts of kindness towards family, friends, and strangers. Instead of an Elf on the Shelf, we have a Christmas Angel. Every day during Advent, she visits and brings suggestions for things the children can do for someone that day. It’s a great way to encourage them and give them ideas for spreading love to others.
Even without a Christmas angel, you can still do good for others. Pinterest is full of printable charts that give you great ideas on how to spread joy. You can print it out and stick it on your refrigerator to give your family some ideas. Or make a list of special things you want to do. This is a great way to get your kids involved.
Here are some things we’ve had fun doing in the past.
- Making gifts for postal workers and delivery people
- Creating “I love you” cards for grandparents
- Donate your savings to various charities
- Bring a cup of coffee to the man who rang the bell at the supermarket
- Cooking meals for a family with a new baby
- We pay for the groceries of an older woman checking out in front of us, and she only had a few items.
- Leaving coupons and dollar bills in the (healthy) aisles of the grocery store
- Giving homemade lotion bars and tea to the elderly and hospitalized people
- Parking meter charges for people parking on the street
- Create and deliver cookies to first responders
These ideas are small ways to spread some holiday fun, but they’re all easy and fun ways to teach kids to think about others.
secret santa
Another way we spread Christmas joy is by becoming a Secret Santa to families in need in our community. We reach out to local churches and domestic violence shelters to see who is in need this season, get their families’ wish lists, and go shopping for presents. We will then deliver the food you need for several meals along with a gift card and gift card.
This was a great way for the kids to learn the joy of giving to others, even if you can’t see their faces when opening presents. Check with nonprofit organizations in your community to see if they have families in need of sponsorship.
volunteer activities
As your children get older, a great way to teach (and spread) the joy of Christmas is through volunteering. There are several organizations in our community that sponsor toy and jacket drives. You can sign up to help organize donations before the event or help families make selections on-site on the day of the event.
Another fun thing to do is volunteer at a local food bank, sorting through food donations and organizing them for families. Some churches also have food banks that need volunteers. Or, if you can, take your kids on a canned food scavenger hunt to collect canned goods from your neighbors and donate them to a food bank.
give gifts to others
Another way to learn the joy of Christmas is to make gifts for loved ones. We usually choose a few fun things to make for our grandparents, neighbors, and each other. It’s great to get creative and crafty together. We put a lot of love into the gifts we make. A great way for my kids to learn about the joy of Christmas. Because it teaches us the importance of thinking about others, deciding what they like, and putting in the time and effort to create something special.
We like to wrap our gifts in eco-friendly wrapping paper. You can make your own using simple things you have at home, such as old newspapers, butcher paper, and packaging materials. Your child can also draw on the homemade wrapping paper or create a special picture. It’s like a bonus present!
family christmas activities
Since there is often time around the holidays, I like to spend this time doing fun Christmas activities with my kids. Sometimes I make crafts (that I can share with others). Other times, we go out for a long drive, drinking hot cocoa and admiring the Christmas lights.
We also made Christmas decorations, from salt dough ornaments to natural garlands. Getting together and making something to brighten up your home is a great way to teach them the joy of Christmas. It’s great to see the final product hanging on a tree or fireplace.
Celebrate with Christmas Traditions
Our family has many Christmas traditions. One of my favorite things is spending most of Christmas Day in my pajamas. Spend the day opening presents and hanging out. And even in their pajamas, they often hang out and hang out with other kids in the neighborhood. Maybe you play a game together, bake cookies, or watch your favorite movie.
Another tradition of ours is to set aside time during the holidays to go through our belongings and find items we can donate to others. In addition to things you want to get rid of, there are also things you can share with others. We find ways to deliver them to those in need or donate them to local organizations.
Thinking about traditions you can start with your kids that will bring joy during the Christmas season will help you plan a special time together. What great things does your city have to offer during the holidays? How do you remember the time you spent with your family during the holidays? Is there something you would like to continue doing?
Teaching children the joy of Christmas is important by helping them understand that Christmas is about more than receiving presents. Raising children to be considerate of others and building traditions together helps them understand that there is more to life than the material.
How do you teach your children the joy of Christmas? What are some ways to give back? What is your favorite tradition?