Involving Children In Holiday Goodwill

During the holidays, I have found that because I am busier than normal, I am more tempted to do things myself rather than involving my kids. Time is limited, and I want to get things done efficiently, neatly and move on to the next task. Yup. You know how well the old “efficiency mindset” leads to a holly, jolly atmosphere. Ahem.

But, as moms who want to mentor and train the next generation in specific skills, sometimes it is needful to slow down and include your kids (depending on their age and whether they’ve had a good nap or not.)

Today, I want to share some easy ways to include your kids in the Christmas going-ons and general busyness.

1. Let them help make cookies.Believe me, I know that this one is a huge eye roller for some of you because, well, sugar cookies plus flour plus toddlers equals mess. Use discretion when giving flour to toddlers. Side effects include messy, sticky chairs and hair and may temporarily increase the mother’s blood pressure. 😉 If you decide that making homemade cookies with toddlers could be hazardous to your health, buy a roll of dough and let them cut it up. It is easier and they’ve had the fun experience. 🙂

Anywho,

Here is one of my favorite children’s illustrators recipe for sugar cookies:

TASHA TUDOR’S SUGAR COOKIES

1 lb. butter
2 eggs
5 c. flour
2 c. sugar
1 tbsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda dissolved in 3 tbsp. milk
Mix all ingredients together by hand. Chill thoroughly. Roll thin and cut out with cookie cutters. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets at 350 degrees about 8 minutes or until light brown around the edges. Makes about 80 cookies.

GLAZE:

1 c. sifted powdered sugar

1/4 tsp. vanilla

3-4 tsp. milk

Red & green food coloring

Stir together until of drizzling consistency. Make 1 batch of green and 1 batch of red zig zag in thin strips across cookies.

2. Help them make Christmas cards for shut ins. During December, I tend to use our handwriting exercises for this all the time. I’ll have them copy a line of Christmas poetry or a Scripture verse neatly and then give them pencils, markers, glitter glue, etc…to decorate them. We mount them on cardstock to sturdy them up. They help brighten the walls of a nursing home resident and show someone cared.

3. Help them make greenery arrangements for widows or elderly friends. When you are shut up in a nursing home, the smell of a pine arrangement with a cheery plaid bow is wonderful pick-me-up. You can paint empty coffee cans with acrylic paint (or paint a winter scene if your kids are really artsy) insert some fresh floral foam, and add greenery from an obliging tree. Snips of pine, cedar, boxwood or holly look wonderful. Add a pretty ribbon and add sparkly accents like mini Christmas balls or woodsy branches that you’ve painted gold.

4. Help bring music to the lonely. If your children are musical, bring them to sing or play their instruments for an elderly loved one. Or round up a group and schedule to sing carols at a Nursing Home. (Contact the Activities Director for permission, dates and times.) Again, this means so much to someone who is sitting in a nursing home day in and day out.

5. Teach them to give by donating Christmas gifts to those who are less fortunate. Telling your kids that Jesus wants us to help the poor is one thing,  but delivering a meal to a needy family, giving up a coat for someone who doesn’t have one, or buying and wrapping a gift for a total stranger teaches them to give of themselves and puts action to your words.

You’ll find more ideas in my new ebook Merry Christmas, Meager Budget . It is loaded with ideas for making family memories, teaching your kids to be generous and doing it all on a frugal budget.

What are some ways you involve your kids in Christmas goodwill?