Ah, here comes Christmas. The music, the decorations, the kids with a serious case of the gimmes. Of course we try to explain that Christmas is about more than presents. In fact, I even used our favorite Christmas cartoon to start the discussion the other day. (Thank you, yet again, Dr. Seuss.)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a favorite in our house. And while I’d love to say it’s because of the moral of the story, I’m quite sure it isn’t. In fact I asked.
“Do you guys understand what this cartoon is about?”
“Uh, not really.”
I went on to explain, and they nodded with a semi-blank look on their faces. (Though Big, of course, answered with all the ways the Grinch broke the rules and wasn’t nice. And Little laughed mischievously at each one of them.)
I had an idea brewing and this was the perfect time to introduce it. I reminded them of their advent calendars from last year—you know, the kind with a pious manger scene and 25 glorious pieces of chocolate tucked underneath—and how they helped us count down to Christmas. I said, this year, before we open it, we’re going to live the Christmas spirit and do something nice for someone. Each and every day.
We started talking about all the things we could do. Big had ideas like smile at a stranger who talks to him (which is surprisingly hard for him), make someone laugh, have a friend over for dinner and call someone we love to say hi. After writing down a couple of them, he lost interest (and I lost patience), but I’m sticking with this.
I’m sure there are lots of very crafty ways to bring this idea to life, but I’m just going to print a December calendar and write something on each day. Hopefully my kids will find it almost as rewarding to give a little something as to receive it. (I said almost…) And at the very least, hopefully each time we watch that silly green guy’s heart grow three sizes and his smile (which happens to be oddly similar to my favorite high school English teacher’s—come on, SRVHS people, you remember Mrs. Warner) light up, they’ll remember that Christmas is about more than just gifts.
(But gifts are nice too. I mean, nobody complains when the Grinch brings all the goodies back.)
How are you teaching your kids about the giving spirit and/or gratitude this holiday season?
Amy Howard says
November 30, 2011 at 2:57 pmThis is a brilliant idea. I’m totally stealing it from you and making my kids do at least one nice thing each day before eating their chocolates. Hopefully it counteracts all the sass I get the other 23 hours and 58 minutes of the day. Yes, they sass me in their sleep. What?? xoxo
Amy, Using Our Words says
November 30, 2011 at 3:14 pmI hear ya. Big talks in his sleep and it’s all sass. Enjoy those 2 minutes of sunshine each day!
XLMIC says
November 30, 2011 at 2:58 pmThat is hands-down the coolest advent calendar idea I have ever heard of…I think I’m a-going to borrow it 🙂
Amy, Using Our Words says
November 30, 2011 at 3:12 pmWow, a compliment gets you a long way with me. Borrow away! Hope your kids have fun with it.
Amy Nelson says
November 30, 2011 at 2:59 pmLOVE IT!!!! May steal your idea!
Amy, Using Our Words says
November 30, 2011 at 3:11 pmYour kids already make me smile almost every day. Mission accomplished!
Jodie Hoffman says
November 30, 2011 at 4:10 pmYES!!! I think you’ve got a great idea for a Using Our Words advent calendar for next year! – 25 days of something nice to do for someone else!!!! 🙂
Amy, Using Our Words says
December 1, 2011 at 9:46 pmI like it!
Tracy says
December 1, 2011 at 4:14 pmLove it! We do something similar – each morning the kids pick a “good deed” from the basket on the table (get the newspaper, feed the dog, hug your brother/sister, call someone and tell them you love them, etc.) and when they are done the paper goes into their stocking. On Xmas eve, Santa can see all the good deeds they’ve done and replaces the papers with gifts! Better go fill that basket – how is it December 1st already??
Amy, Using Our Words says
December 1, 2011 at 9:48 pmOoh, Tracy, you take it to a much cooler level. I told the boys tonight that we’ll leave the list for Santa. I hear we also both have misbehaving elves who forget to find a new spot in the morning. Oh, holiday fun!
San Fran Moms Deal Finder says
December 3, 2011 at 1:14 pmGREAT IDEA!!! Absolutely love it, not only is it thoughtful but cheap!!!
Amy, Using Our Words says
December 4, 2011 at 10:21 pmGreat point!