Who do your kids specifically give gifts to?
I remember as a kid that we only gave gifts as a family, but I know that my kids give some gifts from them, not the family.
Why gifts from kids?
I like my children to learn that gifts, and Christmas, are about giving and not just receiving. I want them to be generous and learn the pleasure in giving to others.
It’s also important to teach kids gratitude and appreciation. Which can’t happen if they just get gifts and never return the gesture.
So my kids give presents to certain people. And by giving, I mean their name(s) is on the card and they physically hand the gift over.
For instance, they give presents to their grandparents to show that gift giving goes two ways. Often this is a token gift* or something they have made themselves as the point is the giving.
Who kids give to
Obviously it varies between family situations, but to give you the idea, my kids give gifts to their:
- grandparents and great-grandmothers
- scouting leaders
- family day carers
- class teachers
- siblings
- parents (yes, we get Christmas and birthday gifts from our children)
Have I missed anyone your kids give gifts to? Do your kids enjoy the gift giving as well as getting gifts?
* We usually give something bigger to grandparents as a family, too.
My eleven year old daughter likes to give to all of the above and our neighbors. She does make most of her gifts, usually cards or tree ornaments. However, she usually starts collecting and making them early in the year. None of my other children like to do this, they are older and do not like to worry about these things.
You have a generous and caring 11 year old there, palaciosv. The fact she plans ahead and puts effort in for months is great.
What a sweet post π I absolutely agree with you that children should be taught the value of appreciation and gratitude – and give giving is one of the most natural ways to foster those ideals.
At Christmas time when I was a small boy my mother would help us rap the gifts for our relatives, who we’d then personally deliver to dressed as Santa’s helpers on Christmas day π
Dressing up as Santa’s helper and distributing presents is another great way to teach kids the joy of giving. My kids (and kids in our extended family) all clammer for the chance to ‘play Santa’ under the tree each year. Sounds like your Mum taught you in fun ways, GigBiz!
I come from a big family. Once we were old enough to earn an allowance, my Mom made sure we gave gifts to other people. We gave gifts to our siblings, grandparents, parents, and teachers. As we got a little older, we added friends to the list.
The presents didn’t always have to be purchased. I am sure most of my parent and grandparent presents were hand made. The point was to think of someone besides myself during the holidays.
I think it’s important to cultivate the spirit of giving. It’s fun to receive gifts. Who doesn’t enjoy that? But, children need to experience to joy of giving as well. Making someone else happy is is a special feeling.
I agree – making someone else happy is a fantastic feeling – I feel sorry for people who don’t experience that so I give kids the opportunity to learn that.
When I was a kid I loved making things for people so I’m sure my grandparents and parents got some ‘lovely’ gifts that they only valued for my efforts π Most years, my kids make their gifts for grandparents, too.
I think it is fantastic that you are teaching your kids about the gift of giving at such an early age. I think that the list of people your kids give gifts to is pretty similar to my own, except for that I also think it’s important to give to aunts and uncles. Since kids receive presents from them too it feels only appropriate that they have something to give back.
I agree with the above poster that, as they get a bit older, it’s also a great idea to add friends to the list π
My kids sometimes make something for aunts/uncles but we don’t make as big a deal about them because gifts go to cousins as well so it gets hard to keep track of what’s happening π It all depends on what family you have, I think.
Even as a child I enjoyed personally choosing or crafting gifts and seeing the look on the persons face as they unwrapped it. π I have a small immediate family and so picked out a gift for each of them as well for my teacher. I’d also choose christmas cards for each student in my class and pair it with a candy bar. I took it so seriously deciding exactly who would prefer which card.
A few years I also chose a toy for a child in need as you drop it off at the local mall and leave it under whats called a wishing tree with a sticker showing what age and gender the gift is for.
I think it’s important to teach children the joy of giving. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just from the heart.
The wishing tree concept is great – so many people want to help but don’t know how so these trees give us a practical solution. Even for families who can’t participate, explaining the treee when you walk past with kids still shwos the kids about giving and community spirit.
Good to meet someone else who carefully selects cards for people, tajnz – I even choose gift tags on the gifts as to who would prefer each one!
It definitely is a wonderful idea for kids to learn about sharing at a young age and is a great opprotunity to grow. I remember when I was a kid giving gifts to others during those special days in the year, it was a fun experience. Giving a handmade gift is even better since you know that it wasn’t about the price tag or how expensive it is, but the thought.
It is fun to give gifts. I remember being a child and nagging Mum to be allowed to give my own presents (instead of just having my name on the family gift).
Each year, I sit down with my son and we discuss what he wants to get for each person in the family. He’s only 5-years-old, so sometimes, he comes up with some pretty outlandish ideas, such as a “brand new car” or a “big ol’ house” for his grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Since most people don’t have the money to purchase new cars and homes for their loved ones, we sit down and we draw pictures of the things he wishes he could get for them. We fold ’em up, write a sweet little letter inside, and hand them out. It always means so much more when he gives them a handmade gift than a store-bought one.
I love his generosity and imagination, Emilia π And making a picture of it instead of the ‘real thing’ is just as precious because it comes from his heart.
I remember when I was a child, I used to love making gifts and giving them to whoever I wanted. I used to make gifts for teachers, family, you name it!
When I have children, I’m going to be sure to get them involved with gift giving, It’s fun and it’s kind spirited.
Sounds like you had a lot of fun making and giving, Leet. DO you still enjoy those things yourself?
I’m sure you’ll do a great job with your kids at gift times!
My kids love to give gifts to the poor children. Our church has a giving tree set up around Christmas time. They will each go and pick an ornament off of it. Then they use their money to go and buy a gift off of the list of presents the family cannot afford.
Fantastic to hear, Isabella. Well done for teaching them that Christmas is about giving and a respect for others.
Sorry I missed this comment earlier, too.
I have five younger siblings (three of them are six years old). They love holidays, especially Christmas and birthdays. My mother has done a very good job making them unselfish. They really enjoy going to the store and picking out presents for people. They always get so exciting watching someone open their gifts. Given, they have a pretty hard time keeping it a secret. π
Hehehe, yes keeping secrets is not a strong point of young children! Since having children I have become an expert in not hearing, misunderstanding and distracting in the lead up to Christmas, Mothers Day and my birthday so they can keep a surprise for me on the day! It’s not always easy, lol.
That’s great your Mum has taught your siblings that love of giving, streakanime. Did you learn it, too?
Oh yeah, right now she is trying to work on teaching me that as I get older people are understanding of the fact that I’m in a tight spot financially and have to pay bills before gifts. And that I can give gifts in ways other than spending money to buy something. Something I am struggling to learn. I am so used to getting all excited about going out and spending at least a set amount on each member of my family… It is hard to not be able to do that so much because of financial reasons.
I hear you, Streakanime – I would love to just be able to buy whatever gift I feel is right for someone without worrying about the price tag. But reality is that most of us do have financial constraints and msot of us get that about each other, too.
Sometimes, though, it is also fun to get more creative and find less expensive gift ideas – and your time and thought really is more important than the actual dollar amount you spend on a gift.
You’re Mum is right again, streakanime π If it helps, remember that in 20 years you may be the one with money telling your child its ok to not spend a fortune on gifts for you…
Haha! That is a very good point. π My mother is so excited about the baby she actually bought ME a mother’s day gift and my fiance a father’s day gift this year. I hope I’m able to be as giving as she is with my kids.
Mothers and Fathers Day presents is a lovely touch for an expectant couple – you truly have a special Mum π
Haha, What can I say? I really love my mother. π If you could not tell from all my comments. I have this horrible habit of talking about her constantly. But, she was my role model and taught me everything I know. How could I not talk about her? π
I think it’s great you not only have a great Mum but love to share her with the world π She sounds wonderful and inspirational π
Now I have got a really good impression of streakanime because of your sincere and wonderful words referring to your mother.I don’t know you but you seem a really nice person and that’s to be expected because you have such a great mother.
That is a lovely message, Breakfree – and I agree that strakanime seems absolutely lovely π
When a child has made a gift for somebody special the anticipation on their face as the offer the gift is as magical as the anticipation on their face when they are themselves given a present. I think that children have an innate sense of generosity and sharing which should be fostered.
Absolutely agree, Fren – kids enjoy giving and making others happy – keeping that feeling alive is our responsibility and our gift to everyone I think.