1)  Holiday Gift Giving ~ Allow your child to make a list of friends and family they would like to give a gift to.  Allow the child to lead this activity as much as you can.  Try not to suggest everything/everyone, see what they come up with on their own. You can limit the number as is necessary from a financial standpoint.  Take the child to a Dollar Tree or Dollar store.  Allow them to do the shopping and selecting for the people on their gift list.  It's often so much fun to see what they come up with and why they might want to give a certain item to their grandpa or Sister for example.  It can also be a time to do a bit of budget teaching.   (For example:  this is about how much we have to spend, if we have some money left, we can buy some special gift bags or wrapping paper.)      You will run into the inevitable case of the child wanting things for him or herself.  This is natural. You could say something like, "This is a giving day!  So, as you are shopping for the people you are excited to give something to, I am going to be looking for something to give you from me." Tell them if they do a nice job of cooperating and selecting their items in the store, you look forward to giving them what you enjoyed picking out for them when you get home.    Depending on the age of the child, it is nice to allow them to bag up the items and make gift tags.  The actual GIVING of the gift is the special part.  Watch their eyes as they watch their family member, teacher, neighbor or friend open something they have selected.       Follow up the next day with a feelings check in. How did it feel to give the gifts yesterday?Who do you think enjoyed their gift the most? Do you think it's fun to give?etc.

 2)  Anonymous Giving~ Children love being able to give but, don't always have the opportunities to do it.  Here are a few fun things you can do during the holidays or really anytime.  * If you are able, get 10 one-dollar bills.  Allow your child  ( with your supervision) to "hide" them around the grocery store so that people can find them and be surprised.  They can have a little sticky note attached that says, "surprise! This is a little something to make your day happy!"* Get a few single stem flowers at the store.  Allow your child (with your supervision) to give them to random people they see that look like they need a smile. They can also have a note attached that says," Hello, this is just a little something to make you smile today!"* If your family or church knows a family in need.  You can " adopt" that family for the holidays. Find out the ages of their children and a bit about their needs.  Go together as a family and select the gifts/ needs for that family.  Plan to deliver them to the front porch of the house.  (This is really the way to teach your child about the real Santa Claus. 0 You can give anonymously or let the family know you just wanted to make their holiday special.  

3.) ART is a beautiful gift ~ Encourage your child to leave random notes  or drawings of kindness, encouragement, support and love to people that they care about.  For example, if big brother has a test coming up, suggest that your child make a little note to hide on his big brother's pillow to offer support.  If Dad or Mom has to go on a business trip, suggest your child leave a love note  or drawing in their suitcase.  This type of love language goes a long way in the giving department.

 4.) GIVE YOUR TIME ~ When your child sees you modeling the art of giving of yourself, they too will see it as a characteristic they value.  Let them see you take in the neighbor's trashcans.  Let them see you help an older neighbor with their technology or yard.  Bring them into the conversation of how to help.  For example: " I found out today that our neighbor Jack's dog is sick.  I wonder what we can do to help them during this stressful time?"  Maybe your child will come up with ways to ease the stress of neighbor, Jack and his family.