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During this time of year it can be easy to get caught up in the frenzy to buy, buy, buy. While doing your part to fuel the economic recovery, keep in mind the opportunities to send a message of philanthropy to your children. Focusing on gratitude and generosity during this season can send a lasting message that will help you to raise caring, generous kids. As parents, we are the most powerful role models that our kids have. Showing them how they can give back to the community and help those less fortunate will leave a lasting impression on not only themselves, but the community as a whole. As you go through your daily routine, find ways that you can give back and involve your children in this process.
Children learn to be philanthropic by example and experience. By giving of themselves children can learn self-worth, the power of one person contributing, and how to value their own situation. At the beginning of the year I brought my daughter (then 6 years old) to New Horizons Soup Kitchen in Manchester to help. We only stayed for an hour or so and our task was just to prepare napkins and silverware, but the lessons that she learned will stay with her for life. Before going there she had no concept of those less fortunate, now she has a reference point when I remind her that there are people that do not have food to eat.
Another way to show giving is to clean out your closets with your children. Keep a box handy to put the toys and clothes you are no longer using to give to your local Salvation Army, Goodwill, or Family Resource Center. These nonprofits accept drop off donations and can be found close to home.
This holiday season, pick a few ways to "do good" with your family. Give your child a few coins to drop into the Salvation Army kettle, buy an extra blanket or set of sheets for the homeless shelter, pick up a few extra cans of food to give to the local food pantry, drop a new toy off for Toys for Tots, or your local Child Advocacy Center. There are many ways that you can donate, the point is that you need to do it, and make a point of involving your children in the process. You can search for volunteer opportunities throughout the state online and search other giving opportunities on your local United Way website. Children can ask guests to bring donations in lieu of gifts to their birthday or holiday party.
One year my daughter came home from school with a note from her teacher explaining a classroom project about "Caring, Sharing, and Giving". They were asking that, instead of teacher gifts, the children all earn some money at home ($2 suggestion) by helping around the house with chores. This money would then be donated to the Santa Fund and used to purchase items for someone in need this holiday season. It is small but intentional things like this that will instill gratitude and generosity in our children-teaching them that giving should not be a rarity, it should be the norm.
Make a year-end donation to the New Hampshire Children's Trust.
And talk to your children about why giving matters. 
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