4. Spend Some Time in the Kitchen
There’s something magical in holiday baking with the family, so be sure to roll up your sleeves, tie your apron strings and get in the kitchen. Have a holiday bake-off and let the kids help. Even younger kids can join in the fun, just give them age-appropriate jobs and be there to help them along the way. Once you finish baking and decorating, put your goodies in fun boxes and deliver them to friends and neighbors while you discuss the true meaning of Christmas.
5. Volunteer as a Family
Christmas is the season of giving, but it’s easy for this concept to get lost on children as they make out lists of what they want and sit in Santa’s lap whispering dreams of new toys in his ear. Bring it all back to the true spirit of Christmas by volunteering as a family.
Check within your community for opportunities to give back such as spending some time working at the local soup kitchen, participating in a neighborhood cleanup or helping out your favorite charity. Just choose something and do it together as a family while gently reminding your kids the importance of helping and giving to others.
6. Fill a Box for Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child is a giving effort started by Samaritan’s Purse. The shoeboxes are shipped to bless children in more than 100 countries who have very little. You simply get a shoe box and pack it with fun toys and some much needed hygiene and school supplies. You can include a selection of different items from practical to fun. As you are selecting items for your shoe box, explain to your children that there are children in the world who aren’t as blessed as they are and it’s important to give back when you can.