For me, this time of year always starts with flashbacks to that Friends episode where Joey and Phoebe have a contest to see if the concept of an unselfish act truly exists. Joey doesn’t believe it does exist but Phoebe is convinced that humans can perform acts to benefit someone else while receiving nothing in return. The audience thinks Phoebe wins when her final act of donating to PBS, a station she dislikes, helps not only a nonprofit organization, but also helps Joey get on TV. However, at the end she realizes how good she felt helping him and in turn, loses the bet. Does this mean humans are always selfish? No…helping others is just something we really enjoy. I always thought this was a great message about what giving really means.
When the holidays come around this message seems to get lost. As a designer, I get giddy at the sight of holiday decorations, gift-wrapping, trees, ribbons, and all the sparkly stuff. However, the pressure to buy the latest toys can get overwhelming, and sends the message that the only way to show love is through buying stuff. Every year I question why we aren’t stepping back more as families to remember that the holidays are about giving. We can give in simple ways that have lasting impact, whether it’s in more time with our kids or our grandkids making homemade gifts, or gathering together to define new fun family traditions. The act of giving doesn’t have to cost much and can warm the hearts of both the giver and the receiver.
As the requests for toy lists for my 3-year-old son roll in from grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends this holiday season, I plan to pass along gift alternatives for them to think about. Over the last few years I also sent them info on places they could donate to in his name and information about how to contribute to his college fund. My requests were received with looks of horror and I was told that I was being a little “grinchy.” This year I don’t plan to give up on these well-meaning people. I started to research gift-giving ideas for kids that promise to make the holidays more special and affordable. I’d like to share them with you as well.
1. Time with you (whether you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or friend). Make cards with pictures of favorite games/outings/crafts/or treats to make together in the kitchen. (Think of all the ways your child likes to play and experience the world.) They get to pull cards from the deck throughout the year and receive special time with you.
2. Exchange outgrown toys and clothes at Kid to Kid http://www.kidtokid.com. This is especially great for kids under five. Take advantage of this age where children really don’t care if toys are used or not!
3. Plan your gift-giving budget and spend 1/2 on present(s); the other 1/2 on a present for a child in need such as: Toys for Tots http://salt-lake-city-ut.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.asp or The Road Home http://centralpt.com/upload/505/NeedsList/14524_2011CandyCaneCornerWishList.pdf. Create a warm memory and let your child participate in donating this gift.
4. Make a deposit into a College Savings Fund. Utah has one of the best in the nation http://www.uesp.org. Sure, kids do not necessarily understand the concept of a college fund, but wrap it up in a card and attach a few balloons and they’ll have some immediate fun, as well as a gift that grows over the years.
5. Cardboard Box house—you can find them for $15 online http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=cardboard+playhouse&sprefix=cardboard —or make your own and unveil it at gift-giving time along with crayons/markers and watch as their imagination runs wild.
6. Focus on traditions that give throughout the entire month of December. Check out this blog http://www.momadvice.com/parenting/holiday_traditions.aspxfor wonderful ideas. My favorite is baking cookies and bringing them to your local fire station.
7. Discovery Gateway children’s museum membership http://www.discoverygateway.org/membership/membership-packages. This may seem like a shameless plug, but I truly believe this is an amazing gift. Not only are you supporting a non-profit, educational institution, but you are giving a gift that lasts all year round.
Happy Giving!
