How to give your kids the gift of giving this holiday season

Families are prepping for the holiday season and kids are currently writing lists upon lists of all the toys and gadgets they are hoping for. Parents often want to use this season as a time to teach about giving and shape giving a little differently, so we turn to co-founder of Mabel’s Labels, parenting blogger and mom of six, Julie Cole for some ideas on how.

Give Experiences

“When grandparents or family friends ask what they can get the kids, I say they have enough,” said Cole. “Take them to a play, go to a movie, make cookies with them.”

She says to give experiences as gifts because it provides kids with valuable lessons and quality time together. 

Give the Gift of Giving

Cole says the gift of giving is really special. She says her and her siblings agree to pool their money and buy a bunch of gift cards for a local coffee shop. She gets her kids to write greeting cards and then they hand them out to homeless people.

“It’s a favourite tradition,” said Cole. “The recipients are so thrilled.”

Cole says you can also participate in community care, volunteering, or adopting a family and that these experiences will be a great learning experience for kids. 

The “Not Now” Gift

The “not now” gift gives kids the opportunity to wait until they know exactly what they want. Cole says they can choose three gifts at any point in the year as they discover them. 

“There isn’t any urgency,” said Cole. “It extends the gift giving.”  

Subscription Boxes

“I’m a big fan of subscription boxes,” said Cole. “Every time you get it you think, ‘someone was thinking about me’ and it extends the thrill of getting something.”

She says supporting local businesses is important, especially because of the pandemic. She recommends opting for subscription boxes that are curated with local artisan items and special items.