Christmas Gifts That Keep On Giving --- All Year Long

Most Christmas gifts are eagerly received, but soon forgotten. Want to choose gifts that will still be around long after Christmas has come and gone?

Christmas gifts occupy a large part of our thoughts as well as use up a large part of our income for the whole month of December every year. Sometimes, even before December 1st rolls around, the toy catalogs have started to show up in the mail and every major department store is busy rolling out their gift stock to attract this year's customers.

Unfortunately, a large majority of the gifts that are eagerly unwrapped on Christmas day, especially those aimed at children, have lost their appeal in a week or two and the excitement that filled the weeks before Christmas has been forgotten.

Wouldn't it be nice this year, to give Christmas gifts that would be enjoyed and appreciated all year long? Gifts that aren't quite so trendy, but gifts that could help your children learn that there are more worthwhile things in life than just making sure everyone gets everything on his or her Christmas list?

Here's how you can make that happen.

Because of what they observe in the stores and on television, too many modern kids have the idea that "getting everything they want" is what Christmas is all about. If that is happening in your family, it's time to gather the whole clan around and have a discussion about Christmas and why we celebrate it. If you are a Christian, you have probably already had similar discussions, but it never hurts to reinforce previous teaching, but, even if your family isn't much into the religious side of Christmas, this upcoming holiday season is a great time to emphasize "giving" over "getting."

Use this meeting to suggest that your family try something a bit different this year. Instead of a plethora of gifts under the tree, how about one or two per child and then using the money saved to do things like:

1. Inviting a less fortunate family or person to share a meal at least once a month.

The meal doesn't have to be a feast. Something as simple as a serve-yourself-buffet of chili, hot dogs, and a plate of veggies and cheese sticks would be great. Board games following the meal could result in lasting friendships being formed.

2. Purchasing gifts for children at the local family shelter, not just for Christmas but all year round.

Some of these kids have been homeless for months and have very little beyond the clothes they are wearing. Socks, underclothes, and warm jackets as well as small toys and books are always welcomed.

3. "Adopting" an elderly person in a rest home or even your own neighborhood to visit once a week.

Find out when their birthday is and bring them a gift on that day. If the kids are small, have them color pictures to take to them. Many elderly people go for months without a single visitor. Knowing someone cares enough about them to visit them regularly, can make a huge difference in their lives.

4. Choosing a "special" project such as raising funds to dig a well in a country where water is scarce.

Contribute to it all year or until you have enough money to send to the cause. If possible, correspond with people in the area and post pictures somewhere in your home to remind your kids that these are real people they are helping.

5. Having a "fun" day at the mall and inviting 2 or 3 kids who don't ordinarily get to take part in things like this.

The "fun" day could include a movie with popcorn for each child, or be more elaborate such as a huge pizza feed at the food court followed by token to play video games at Tilt or Chuck-E-Cheese. If this is a little over your budget, try a home party where you pop your own popcorn and serve home made hot chocolate.

6. Picking out some "I Can Read" type books at the local bookstore to give to slow or non-readers at a local school or homeless shelter.

Some of these kids are just slow readers and others have been shuffled from school to school with very little chance to learn to read. A brand new book for their very own is a great encourager.

The above ideas are just a start. The point is to get the idea we started with across to our kids. The idea that "Giving," not "Getting" is what Christmas is all about. Once they try it and discover the lasting satisfaction involved in giving, they are going to come up with more ideas than you can imagine, so be prepared.