A Time To Give

 




​"I want a new doll."
 
"I want a new video game."
 
"I want a new art kit."
 
    It's that time of year when the "I wants" come out.  The holidays bring a lot of traditions and one of those includes presents.  We've been discussing what everyone wants for Christmas at my house so that we can look for deals.   If fact, I'm betting a lot of you found some great deals last week on gifts.  I know I did!
     During this time of year, I ask my kids to pick out some toys that they can donate.  We talk about how some families cannot afford to have as many toys and  that we should give to the less fortunate. 
    As we believe in Santa in my house, my kids believe that Santa will bring other children gifts but we remind them that their parents also want to be able to give them gifts and by donating some of our toys, they will be able to do this.  We also try to participate in some other holiday collections that want new toys.  We have not always been able to do this as some years have been leaner than others for us but when able, we do purchase new toys to donate,  
    My kids do struggle at times with donating old toys.  Sometimes they want to donate toys not in good condition.  We have to help them understand that if they would not want to play with it, neither would other kids.  Other times they say they have no toys to give.  They NEED them all.  This is a bit harder and longer of a conversation as we talk about how they really only NEED a few toys but they WANT a lot.  We also talk about what Christmas time really means (for us Jesus' birthday) and ways to be kind. 

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