Thursday, December 15, 2011

Twelve Days of Christmas - Day 2

We have had the opportunity to help some other families with Christmas this year. We have tried to use these as teaching moments for our kids, especially Noelle. We have been trying to help her understand that there are other kids in our community who probably won't get a lot of presents this Christmas. Its harder than you think to explain to a five year old. I knew it was starting to sink in for her but was still perplexing. She asks very detailed questions about the kids, details we just don't have. I think the excitement finally set in when we wrapped up the gifts.

The other day when UPS brought a doll house that Grandma had shipped to us, Sydney saw the picture on the outside of the box and being all excited asked if it was for her. Of course I lied and said no and then she asked, "Its for other kids?" That has been our tag line while shopping for our unknown recipients, "gifts for other kids."

We have been the recipients of the generosity of others in past years and feel really grateful that we can teach this charity to our children. Hopefully this is something we can continue to do each year as a reminder of all the good that we're blessed with in our lives.

2 comments:

lacy said...

We have been trying to do the same with Elly.

PS, who puts a picture of the item on the outside of the box? I mean really, people!!!

Gold-E said...

G's aunt said the other night that she always told her kids that Santa and his elves didn't work for free - he billed parents for the cost of the toys and elf labor. Hence the reason some kids didn't get as much as others and that is why some families needed a little extra help (and also helped explain why her kids didn't get every $$$$ gadget on his/her list). Makes sense to me! Good job for teaching charity early.