My husband and I support various charities and local organizations throughout the year, and this holiday season we’re ready to start teaching our daughters about the value of giving.
They’re only two and four, which might seem too young for this lesson, but we’re hoping that if we show them a tangible way to experience giving back, they’ll slowly see and understand the value of giving as opposed to just receiving.
I’ve been inspired by a friend who organizes an annual get-together to pack containers full of essentials for The Shoebox Project, an organization that supports women experiencing homelessness.
An activity like this is something kids of all ages can help with, both choosing the items and packing the shoeboxes. Not having a roof over your head is a concept even younger kids can understand, especially when you explain it to them in language that makes sense to them, for example, highlighting that not everyone has a warm place to sleep at night like they do, so it’s important that we’re helpers to ensure everyone does.
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Locally, we also support an angel tree program, which means we buy gifts for a family in need (similar programs exist across Canada). What kid wouldn’t want to help with that, and this year we’ll have our daughters help with shopping for and dropping off those gifts.
Since I’m certain other parents are also looking to declutter before a new wave of holiday toys arrive, it’s a win-win to direct any gently used toys or winter gear to local toy and clothing drives.
While I’d love to get our daughters to help sort through their toys and clothing to donate, any item I choose magically becomes a favourite again. Still, it’s a good opening for a conversation about how another child might need it and love it more than us.
With the cost of living soaring, a growing number of Canadians rely on food banks and supporting such organizations can also make a big impact. One parent I spoke with said she takes her kids on a grocery shopping trip during the holidays where everything they buy is donated to their local food bank. She uses that as an opportunity to talk about how some families and kids in their own community struggle with hunger.
In response to a social media callout, I also heard from people who go beyond donating money or purchasing things, which can be tough for families at a pricey time of year.
Several parents used birthday parties or holiday gifts as a way to give back, either collecting cash donations for charity in lieu of gifts, or donating a portion of the monetary gifts. This is a good opportunity to engage kids by asking them what causes they’d like this money to go to, such as helping animals or helping other kids.
Another way to help is by donating your family’s time. A parent I spoke with said her family looks for in-person volunteer opportunities, such as helping out at a local soup kitchen. Search neighbourhood social media groups for places that want help or ask local charities and non-profits directly.
One parent said they make holiday cards for seniors at retirement and nursing homes, which even my two-year-old can do.
As my kids get older, I hope philanthropy will become a part of our family gifting traditions. One friend told me each family member draws another family member’s name from a hat, and instead of giving gifts, they donate to a charity they would love. On Christmas morning, each person opens a card with the details of the donation made on their behalf.
Most importantly, my husband and I plan to keep modelling the kind of values and behaviour we want our daughters to see. After all, if we’re helpers in our communities, it’s more likely our children will be too.
Erin Bury is the co-founder and CEO of online estate planning platform Willful.co. She lives in rural Ontario with her husband and two young children.