The Joy of Giving: Teaching Christian Kids the Spirit of Christmas Gifts

Christmas is certainly not all about gifts – far from it! However, for most of us, gift-giving is a big part of our celebration. Even more than that, it’s a way we honor God as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the most precious and generous gift ever given.

Christmas gift-giving provides Christian parents with a tremendous opportunity to foster gratitude and generosity in our children. And with all the happiness and celebration of this season, we can actually help our children go beyond a sense of the rightness of giving and grow into a deep enjoyment of being generous. Let’s explore some meaningful ways to approach gift-giving for kids during this festive time.

Storytelling with Purpose

One of the most effective ways to teach children about the spirit of Christmas is through storytelling. When you share the story of the birth of Jesus with them, highlight the significance of God's gift to humanity. Explain that Christmas is truly about God giving to us the most costly and precious gift of his son because of his great love for us. More than anything else, that is what we are celebrating!

Volunteer Together

Show your children a sense of excitement that your family also has an opportunity to show love to others during this season. With an eagerness to share what you have and bless someone else, encourage your children to participate in acts of service and charity during the holiday season.

Lend your talents and efforts to a community event (such as a live nativity, Christmas caroling for folks that might not get much holiday cheer, or a community-focused church musical presentation) that draws people together and shares the joy of Christmas. Volunteer as a family at a local food bank, homeless shelter, or nursing home. Ideally, choose a volunteering activity that has special meaning for your family. This hands-on experience can help your kids understand the importance of giving back and the joy it brings to those in need as well as to those who give.

Create a Tradition Around Sharing Love with Others

Start a family tradition that focuses on giving. For example, you can set aside a specific day during the Christmas season for random acts of kindness. Let each family member choose a kind act to perform, like making homemade gifts for neighbors or sending Christmas cards to the elderly.

For several years in our home, we hung a Christmas stocking for Jesus among our own stockings. As we did acts of kindness and love for others throughout the season, we placed little papers with these acts written on them into the stocking. It provided a way for us to make an offering to God of intentional acts of love toward others. However you choose to emphasize sharing love, think about creating traditions around these things to teach your children that giving should be a regular and treasured part of their lives.

Emphasize the Thought Behind Gifts

When teaching children about gift-giving, help them understand that it's the thought and love behind the gift that truly matter. Encourage them to select or create meaningful gifts for family and friends. This not only fosters the spirit of giving but also shows them the value of personal connections.

It’s also wise to discreetly remind children about this idea before they open gifts from others. Help them understand that, even if they are not crazy about the item received, they can express joy and thanks for it as they remember that it encompasses time, thought, and money lovingly contributed by the giver. Because of those things, the giver deserves an expression of gratitude, even if your child doesn't feel grateful for the item itself.

Encourage Generosity

Teach your children about the joy of generosity by involving them in charitable donations. Together, select a charity or cause that resonates with your hearts, and then set aside a portion of your Christmas budget to donate to that cause. You can also have a container available for people to add money to throughout the season and then enjoy giving it as a family to the organization you’ve chosen.

Here's another cool idea I’ve seen others do. (This one would work well when your children are old enough to know about some of the needs in your community and around the world.) Make a Thanksgiving Night tradition of choosing a charitable focus for the season. Family members could come with their giving ideas and the amount they’d like to contribute. Giving ideas could include a local ministry to the homeless or to families struggling economically, a group in your state that’s helping families recover from a natural disaster, an organization that provides livestock or crop assistance to families around the world dealing with drought and hunger, or a group that assists any of the many refugees currently struggling in our world today. The possibilities are practically endless! Talk about the impact these donations can have on the lives of others. And don’t worry too much about the difficulty of agreeing on which one to give to. You can always give to two or more!

Remember to keep the individual contribution amounts secret. There should be no manipulation involved, and those who have less available to give shouldn’t feel ashamed. Just rejoice in the giving and in knowing that your family can join together in blessing others.

Involve Children in the Joy of Giving Gifts

Your children will naturally be excited about what they will receive for Christmas. But you can help them to greatly enjoy giving as well.

My father did an excellent job of this when we were growing up. He loved to get something special for my mom, usually a piece of jewelry. But he didn’t just wrap up the little box and put it under the tree. He typically hid the special gift in a very mundane gift, like a can of tennis balls. That’s the one I remember most. My mom (an avid tennis player) was mildly happy to receive some new tennis balls, but we were all just about beside ourselves knowing that a ring that she was going to love was hidden inside one of those balls.

It was really fun that my dad gave so creatively. But the best part was that he included us in the fun. I think we were sometimes more excited about these surprises than we were about the gifts we had coming. And that’s the idea. It’s really a treasure to discover that it’s more blessed to give than to receive.

It’s so easy for Christmas gift-giving to get ahead of us and become something ugly – financial pressure, greed, entitlement. Ironically, it can be the thing that robs us of our joy at Christmas. But if we set some intentions and take the reins in establishing our traditions instead of following the flow of the culture, it can be such a beautiful and God-glorifying thing to enjoy.

Xo,

Christie

Embrace the Great Outdoors: A Guide to Spending More Quality Family Time Outside

Making an effort to connect with nature and each other can have a profound impact on your family's well-being. In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of outdoor family activities and provide you with a guide to help you spend more quality time together in the great outdoors.

The Benefits of Outdoor Activities for Families

Before we delve into the practical tips for spending more time outdoors as a family, let's take a moment to understand why it's so important.

Health and Well-being - Outdoor activities promote physical fitness, reduce stress, and boost mood. Sunlight exposure also helps the body produce vitamin D, which is essential for strong bones and a healthy immune system.

Bonding and Communication - Outdoor activities encourage family members to communicate and work together. Sharing experiences in nature fosters lasting memories and strong family bonds.

Screen-Free Time - Spending time outdoors is an excellent way to reduce screen time and disconnect from the digital world. Heading outside without devices is a big improvement over simply limiting or forbidding screens. This approach will focus less on what your kids are not doing and more on positive activity and engagement. Eventually, they’ll likely start to notice how much better they feel – mentally and physically - after an hour or two outside than after an hour or two of screen time.

Appreciation for Nature - Introducing your children to nature instills a sense of wonder and appreciation for the environment. A love for nature established early in life can nurture a life-giving and lifelong connection with the outdoors.

Planning Outdoor Activities

You can probably think of a number of other reasons why more outside time would bless your family. But let's explore some ideas for how to make time outdoors part of your family culture.

Hiking and Nature Walks - Does your neighborhood have a walking trail, pond, or treed area? If so, make a habit of visiting these at a certain time of day or whenever you need a break. Homeschoolers, if you haven’t discovered the benefit of a brief mid-day outdoor reset, please give this a try! Yes, it takes a little time out of your day, but you really get that time back in increased productivity during the rest of your learning time.

If you don’t have a nature space within walking distance, plan to explore local parks, trails, or nature reserves no more than a short drive away. These outings offer an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and teach your children about local flora and fauna.

Camping Trips - Camping is an excellent way to immerse your family in nature. Whether you prefer tent camping or renting a cabin, it's a fantastic way to unplug and bond around a campfire. This is such a great activity to do with a group of friends, too. Make it an annual or biannual thing, and you’ll probably create some of your children’s favorite memories with these trips!

Picnics - Simple yet enjoyable, picnics can be held in your backyard, at a local park, or by a nearby lake or river. Pack your family's favorite easily transportable foods and enjoy a meal in the fresh air. This is another great way to combat mind-melt after a rigorous homeschool morning.

Outdoor Sports - Engage in sports like soccer, frisbee, or catch to promote physical activity and healthy competition. Team sports also teach valuable teamwork skills. Whether you participate in organized sports or just a family outdoor game, you’ll reap multiple benefits by making this part of your regular routine.

Gardening - In addition to providing the perfect opportunity to learn about plants, flowers, and vegetables, cultivating a garden together also teaches commitment, responsibility, and the joys of delayed gratification. Your kids can enjoy the amazing feeling of applying effort and care for weeks and then seeing the fruits (literally!) of their labors.

Overcoming Obstacles

Schedule Outdoor time - Busy schedules and other commitments can make it challenging to spend more time outdoors as a family. One helpful way to prevent outdoor time from getting pushed to the back burner is to actually put it on the calendar or the daily agenda. Make outdoor family time a regular part of your weekly routine. Set specific days and times for outdoor activities to ensure they happen. Try starting this habit during one of your family’s slower seasons, if necessary, and then be intentional about carrying it forward (at least to some degree) even when things get busier.

Start Small - If you're not used to spending time outdoors, start with short, manageable, almost-effortless activities. Gradually work your way up to more extended adventures.

Embrace All Seasons - Don't limit your outdoor activities to just the warm months. Embrace the beauty of each season, from bundling up and building snowmen in winter to picking wildflowers in spring. And take advantage of any seasonal outdoor events in your area, such as apple- or berry-picking, ice-skating, parades, air shows, or races.

Make It Fun - Encourage your children's involvement by making outdoor activities enjoyable. Allow them to choose some of the activities and destinations and repeat their favorites.

Pack Smart With Safety in Mind - Ensure you have the necessary gear and supplies for your chosen activities, which may include sunscreen, water, snacks, a blanket to sit on, rain gear, or jackets. This will make your outdoor time smoother and more enjoyable. Teach your children about wildlife safety, and always be prepared for emergencies with a first aid kit and a charged phone.

Spending more time outdoors as a family is a wonderful way to connect with nature and each other. The benefits of outdoor family time are numerous, and the memories created will last a lifetime. By planning activities, overcoming obstacles, and ensuring safety, you can make the most of your time in the great outdoors. So, pack your bags, put on your hiking boots, and embark on the journey to creating beautiful family memories in nature.

Xo,

Christie

PS - For more ideas on nurturing family connections, check out this post!

The Surprising Value of Memorization as a First Step in Homeschool Learning

Memorization sometimes gets a bad rap. It can even seem counterintuitive. Why should we revert to rote learning when we could be doing lessons that are active and creative or that involve more critical thinking? But memorization is an often overlooked yet immensely valuable tool in the homeschooling arsenal. Let’s talk about how this seemingly old-fashioned approach can benefit your child's learning experience and personal growth.

Memorization: More Than Rote Learning

When we hear the term "memorization," we might think of the monotonous and repetitive process of rote learning. However, memorization is much more than that. It is a multifaceted cognitive skill that fosters understanding, retention, and creativity. Here's why it's a valuable asset in homeschooling:

1. Building a Foundation of Knowledge

Memorization is the cornerstone of learning. It involves committing facts, information, and concepts to memory, which forms a solid basis for higher-level thinking and problem-solving. In every subject – including the most fundamental subjects of math and reading - children need a sure foundation of knowledge to make meaningful connections and engage in critical thinking.

2. Developing Concentration and Focus

The act of memorization requires concentration and focus, vital skills for any learner. In a world filled with distractions, including a memorization element in your homeschooling provides a unique opportunity to cultivate these qualities in children, setting them up for success in their future academic and professional endeavors.

3. Encouraging Creativity

Memorization is not about mindlessly repeating information. It often involves understanding and internalizing the content, which can spark creativity and innovation. When children memorize a poem, a historical speech, or a mathematical formula, they're not only remembering but also interpreting and exploring the underlying ideas.

4. Building Confidence

Memorizing and reciting can be empowering experiences for children. It boosts their self-esteem and provides a sense of accomplishment when they successfully recall and present information. This confidence can extend beyond academics and into other areas of life.

5. Enhancing Long-term Retention

Memorization techniques like spaced repetition and mnemonic devices aid in long-term retention of information. When children memorize facts or concepts, they're more likely to remember and apply this knowledge in the future, ensuring that their education is a meaningful and lasting experience. Having helpful information memorized is like carrying around a resource library in your own mind. It’s a tremendous advantage for a learner!

Practical Tips for Effective Memorization

Now that we understand the value of memorization, what are some good ways to do it? Here are some practical tips for incorporating it into your homeschooling routine:

1. Choose the Right Material

Select subjects or topics that are suitable for memorization. After starting with number and letter recognition, your child will progress on to letter sounds and math facts. (Click here for a helpful post on the topic of math facts.) Moving on, some great things to memorize include Bible verses, grammar rules, math formulas, geographical locations, poetry, famous speeches, historical dates, lists (think US presidents, European monarchs, etc.) vocabulary words.

2. Use Mnemonics

Encourage your child to create mnemonic devices or memory aids to make the memorization process more engaging and effective.

3. Make it Fun

Incorporate games and creative activities or competitions to make memorization enjoyable. In my opinion, the best tools for memorization by far are songs and chants. Simply adding rhythm to something a child is memorizing makes it so much easier. Add a melody, and it becomes a piece of cake! This can turn a seemingly dull task into an exciting adventure and something your children will NEVER forget! I still remember the song that taught me all the states of the union in alphabetical order, and I learned that about 45 years ago!

4. Set Realistic Goals

Break the memorization process into smaller, manageable chunks, and celebrate small victories along the way. Make these small achievements part of a semester- or year-long goal (like a whole chapter of the Bible or a whole continent of countries and capitals). This approach will reduce stress, keep your child motivated, and create a great sense of accomplishment when she’s memorized with ease way more than she would have thought possible!

5. Encourage Recitation

Have your child recite what he’s memorized. This not only reinforces their learning but also builds their confidence and public speaking skills.

Parents, you may assume that children will find memorization boring and resist it. However, you may find the opposite is true. Children often enjoy having an achievable goal-based challenge. Then, it’s a pleasure for them to have new knowledge at their fingertips.

The types of things they memorize will, in many cases, serve them well for a long time to come.

Memorization is a valuable tool in homeschooling and parenting that we should not underestimated. It fosters foundational knowledge, concentration, creativity, confidence, and long-term retention. By incorporating memorization techniques into your homeschooling routine, you can enhance your children’s learning and equip them with skills that will help them thrive in both their academic and personal lives.

Embrace the power of memorization, and watch your child's learning journey flourish!

Xo,

Christie