Teaching my Children

There is always empahsis on the real meaning of Christmas at our house. We try to explain about (baby) Jesus, thats what he is called in our house, and His birthday and all he has done for us. We also talk about the fact that we give presents to all our friends and family.
At this point I must share that my children have given gifts with much joy this year. We took turns giving and opening gifts to the kids friends, and when it was turn to give our gifts, obviously they just had to sit and watch while the others opened, and to see them looking so proud giving the gifts, and taking delight in what their friends recieved was so heart warming, a very proud Mummy moment. Noah has been like this all season.
So each year we take the kids to the local shopping centre and let them pick a present to donate. We explain that some Mummy's and Daddy's can't afford lots of presents, let alone food, and that we will buy one for them so they can have a suprise on Christmas morning. They understand, and Noah takes great pride in knowing that another little boy like him will be geting a present. He undertands that we don't know who they are and that this is something we can do to help.

I let the kids pick a present for someone the same age and sex as they are. This year we chose the K-mart wishing tree, and we wrote on our lables who they were for, a little boy aged 5 and a little girl aged 3. I rounded up as the presents they picked were for 5 and up and 3 and up.
We explained that they needed to pick a present that they liked, and thought another little boy ond girl would like. We headed down the toy ailse.

 

Katelin chose first, a Belle tea set in the shape of a tea pot.

Then Noah went for the Legos no suprise there!

Off to pay next.
Then we stuck our labels on and went to put them under the tree.

Katelin said present for little girl, as she put hers under the tree.

Noah helped her doing so.

I am so very proud that they understand and that they do this so well, with no tantrums wanting the item for themselves. I hope that they will continue to give where and when they can. And that they always remember about those not as fortunate as themselves.