How to encourage children to think of others at Christmas

02 Dec How to encourage children to think of others at Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, especially for children. The decorations, the excitement and the sense of magic all add to the atmosphere in the lead up to Christmas.

It can also be an incredibly expensive time of year for some families and spending can get out of control really easily. According to voucher company, RetailMeNot, UK households usually spend an average of £473.83 on presents.  However, it’s easy to spend money for the sake of spending money and feel obligated to spend a certain amount on your children.

Christmas is a great time to educate children about those less fortunate than them and the importance of giving back. There are lots of ways you can involve them in giving. Here are some ideas to consider…

• Reverse advent calendar – Reverse advent calendars work by you filling them every day with items of food or clothing that can then be taken to a food bank or charity in order to help those less fortunate that are struggling at Christmas time.
• Donate toys to your local hospital – You could brighten the day of a child going through a difficult time by donating toys to your local children’s hospital. Hospitals are usually hugely grateful for any donations to distract and amuse their young patients.
• Letters of appreciation – It’s a great time of year to let teachers, friends and family members know how much you appreciate them. It doesn’t have to be a gift. A letter of appreciation from your children about why they value them and what they mean to them can be really appreciated.
• Donate food via Fareshare – Tesco work with Fareshare and have donation points at their stores for customers to donate food items. The food is redistributed to charities and community groups throughout the UK.

Giving back and knowing you have helped someone can be really rewarding. By involving your children, you’re showing them that Christmas is about more than just presents and it’s a time to be thankful for what we have and to help others who are struggling.