True meaning of Xmas for kids

mmm. I like that. Are the kids able to go and present the money to the charities? I'd like my kids to see the result of their givings. Now, they just drop off the present and think it's great but if they could see the end result, that would be great!

May be too late but there are a couple of things we do that give our kids "perspective"

1: The "shoebox" - operation Christmas child www.samaritanspurse.org - you shop with your child and make a shoebox for a child of similar age in an under priviledged situation. There is a place in Aurora that will still collect boxes through Dec. 5th.

2: The tree angel - I think these are available in most area's - sometimes in the mall - or grocery store ( King Soupers for example) - basically the angels represent a christmas wish for a family or child - we pick one that is of similar age to our kids and explain the reason for the angel. Then our kid gets to shop for that gift for their angel etc.

Both have provided great learning experiences for our children ( 7 and 5 yr old)

The shoebox/tree where they can shop for other children is great.

Check with your local hospital. There might be some children (similar ages) in long-term recovery who would like a special visitor during the season. (Can you make arrangements for them to visit once or twice a week to read a story and sing a song?) If so, then spend the next 3 weeks doing that and then the fourth week finding some special Christmas gift for that person. The goal is to make that personal connection and realize the joy of making someone else happy. Maybe your children could do something special for the patient's family too.

Is there a neighbor who could use a pair of very small hands (or really, the enthusiasm of a 5-year-old) for some small projects? (Maybe someone with arthritis could use help wrapping presents for their own grandchildren?) Enthusiastic hands to help bake cookies?

Secret Santa? Have them pick someone to secretly leave small gifts (with a way to see the result).

How well do they interact with other children? Go to the library, and have them read stories to other children. (Even if they don't read very well, they can still sit with the book and use their imagination to "read" to a younger child.) If you've never listened to a 5-year-old describe a picture, you've really missed out on one of life's little treasures.

Take a box (or two) of dog treats to an animal shelter/clinic.

Make cranberry or popcorn strings and hang them outside for the resident birds.