By: Judy Cohen

Raise your hand if you’re glad the 2016 holiday gift-giving season is officially in the history books. Did your children receive more gifts than they’ll ultimately use or care about?

Now that the holidays are over it’s a great time to focus on the importance of giving back and sharing with others.

Giving Feels Good

Whether for a birthday, Christmas, Hanukkah, or losing a tooth, we are always at the ready to mark the occasion with money, gift cards or a toy of some sort. How about in addition to getting our kids excited about the presents they receive for special occasions, we show them that giving can feel even better than receiving. Working with our children to create small gestures of giving will allow them to practice generosity and see first-hand its positive impact on others.

As parents and mentors, it’s our responsibility to set the example of the true meaning of sharing and the earlier we can instill this idea, the more likely our kids are to continue this practice into adulthood.

There are many simple ways to teach this concept:

Donate clothes and toys – Out with the old and in with the new. Before jamming closets, drawers and cabinets with new clothes and toys, sit with your child and go through all their belongings to determine what they no longer need or want and donate the items to Goodwill or other charities that serve kids.

Buy a new toy for a child in need – While donated toys are always welcome, sometimes a brand-new toy is an extra special treat for a child who normally never receives one. You don’t have to wait for a holiday toy drive as there are numerous organizations that will take your gift year-round. Every child loves ripping open a gift-wrapped package.

Create charity jars – Whether saving a portion of money earned by the child, given to them as a gift, or even leftover from a purchase, collecting money in a charity jar is a great way to set aside a donation for a favorite charity. Keep it going throughout the entire year and present the charity with a check at the end of the year.

Make a difference by volunteering – One of the most rewarding ways to give back to a community or organization is to volunteer your time. Volunteering is a great family activity too. Different ways to volunteer include: participating in a charity walk, delivering meals to homebound people, reading stories to children in the hospital, or visiting seniors in a nursing home.

Giving is not a one size fits all model. We need to emphasize to children that there are multiple ways of giving back to others including donating money and items or volunteering our time and energy. When it comes to charity, everything is welcome.

Tips for Helping your Child Select a Charity

At Lemonade Day, we teach kids to become entrepreneurs so they can earn their own money, and then spend some, save some and share some.  Giving back is a fundamental responsibility that should be taught.

Here are more tips to help children select a charity:

• Identify a cause or charity that’s important or meaningful to them. For example, if your child loves animals, there are several charities to support from the ASPCA, the Humane Society or local animal shelters.

• Try it out before you decide. Take your child to visit a local charity office or attend an event and let them see it in action. Many organizations offer volunteer opportunities too. It’s one thing to tell your children about the charities; it’s a totally different experience to see it in person.

• Let your child make the final choice for their donation. By getting them involved in the decision process of selecting a charity to support, especially if it’s a cause near to their heart, they are more empowered to continue the practice as they get older.

Finally, while the new year is a great time to talk to children about charity and the spirit of giving, you don’t have to limit these conversations to once a year. Lead by example and show children that giving back is a year-round activity. After all, those in need require our support and love all throughout the year.