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Question
My
kids become materialistic and greedy this time of year. It becomes a
constant battle to get them to remember the REAL spirit of this holiday.
Any suggestions?
Christmas Crisis in California
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Answer
Once again, the approaching holidays spawn an onslaught of “gimme”
commercials, guilt buying, and one upsmanship. It is with dread that
parents go to the mall, watch television or receive their mail anytime
after mid-October—so out of control is Christmas merchandising. Many
fear the skewed focus their children learn about the Season of Giving.
The season offers splendid opportunities to instill
in your children the virtues of generosity, kindness and community
involvement. From the simple ten-minute gesture of cleaning the snow off a
neighbor’s car to a bigger time commitment of serving meals at a
homeless shelter, every family has room in their schedule to participate
in some form of holiday giving.
Here are some inexpensive and quick ideas to get your
family thinking about how to share the spirit of these days:
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Use
your computer (or construction paper and crayons) to make holiday
greeting cards with a simple message. “Our family wishes you health
and happiness,” for example. Deliver the cards to a senior home or
to the nurses’ desk at the hospital. Ask that the cards be given to
patients who have no family or visitors.
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Make
an extra batch of cheese crackers (see this month’s recipe) or your
favorite cookie recipe. Put them in a festive tin or wrap them in a
pretty box. Give them to a neighbor or shut-in friend who you don’t
see often.
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Choose
a charity and an evening to do some fund-raising. The entire family
can go door-to-door caroling and collecting funds for your chosen
charity. This is a great way to spread holiday cheer to your neighbors
and help the needy.
Make
giving coupons, like “Good for 1 Free Snow Shoveling;” or “Redeem
for A Saturday of Errand-Running;” or “Dinner at Our House.” Tuck a
coupon into a special card and distribute them to friends and family.
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