The holidays are a festive, almost magical time of year where your senses come alive to the sights, scents, sounds, tasteful treats, and hands-on activities that vie for your attention. Families step up from busy to busier with decorating their homes both inside and out, shopping, wrapping, baking, planning, and attending special events.
It is a time for reconnecting and bonding on a more personal level with family and friends, sharing faith, traditions, and good cheer. However, with all of the hustle and bustle of striving to get your Holidays “just right”, the true meaning of why we are celebrating in the first place can get lost amidst the sparkling lights and joyful music.
The “Heart of the Holidays” isn’t found in a colorfully wrapped gift-box or tissue paper accented gift-bag. It isn’t delivered by an Amazon truck driver. And, it certainly isn’t a gift that one can exchange or return for a refund. It is, however, something unique in that the more you share it with others, the more it enriches you. And it’s free - neither ‘Membership or Annual Renewal’ fees are required for you and your family to join this “club”.
The Heart of the Holidays is found in the Spirit of Generosity.
Qualities of generosity include kindness, thoughtfulness, selflessness and being mindful of others. It most often involves a simple act that can be almost effortless for you, but can make a significant impact on another person’s day.
Generosity is given freely without any expectation of reciprocation. At it’s best, it is shared in a relational rather than transactional spirit. It isn’t stamped with an expiration date; but it does seem to hold an unspoken invitation to “Pay It Forward’. And it can be as spontaneous as paying for the stranger’s cup of coffee who is behind you in line at your favorite coffee shop.
As a former elementary school educator, it was always heartwarming for me to observe how eagerly my young students wanted to step in to help one another and even “help” me do whatever they could.
Kids have an innate sense of wanting to help and please. What a wonderful opportunity then, to show them by your everyday actions what generosity looks like and sounds like; to guide them to build their “spirit of generosity muscles” at an early age. You could very likely be planting the seeds for generosity to become a multi-generational way of life in your family.
Further, kids can participate with you in practically all of the ways you choose to be generous. Donating to a food bank? Children can add your donations to the bins. Sending a card to cheer up a neighbor? Include a picture your child has drawn specifically for them. Assembling holiday care packages with other Church members to help struggling families or community members who are alone? Invite your kids along to help while they learn some organizational and sorting skills in the process.
Generosity facilitates active and interactive participation between community members which leads to a stronger community. It generates the power of connection while modeling for others how to give and receive graciously.
The greatest gift we can give to others is ourselves and our time. Be encouraged to think beyond traditional gifts and consider some of these practical, impactful ways to give back to others during this holiday season . . .and beyond.
Give Time and Acts of Service: Children can volunteer at a local shelter, food bank, library, or participate in a community clean up or donation drive. In addition to developing a sense of social responsibility, volunteering teaches children the joy of sharing their time with others.
Sharing Moments of Gratitude: Encourage kids to share something they are grateful for each day of the holiday season and to find ways to express their gratitude to the people around them - whether through a conversation at dinner, a handwritten note, or perhaps keeping a daily “grateful” calendar.
Spreading Kindness Within the Community: Create “holiday kindness challenges” where kids are encouraged to complete acts of generosity like donating toys, giving compliments, or baking treats for local workers.
Children learn by example. Given consistent opportunities to practice generosity is an invaluable asset for kids to practice now and as they grow into adulthood. Why is nurturing generosity in our children important? Simply stated. . .every act of generosity helps to shape our world in a positive way.
About
Terri Lilga, a native of Western New York, resides in the Village of Hamburg with her husband Pete and their lively mini-golden doodle, Sushi. After a fulfilling thirty-year career as an elementary school teacher in the same school district she graduated from, she rekindled her early passion for writing children’s literature. Her first children’s book, Santa's Simon,was inspired by her desire to write a Christmas book with a unique twist, but mostly to highlight a message of faith, courage, and the transformational power of kindness. In addition to writing, Terri loves to travel and has visited Egypt, Botswana, Poland, Spain, and Cozumel where she had a bucket-list opportunity to swim with dolphins.
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