Celebrate a Spirit of Giving this Year

My kids are easily impressed by TV infomercials. We have so many pillow pets that real pillows won’t fit in their beds anymore.

Last year my son begged for the giant cupcake pan and the perfect meatloaf pan. (Apparently my cupcakes are too small and my meatloaf could be even closer to perfection!) This year he wants a pillow that stays cool on one side and gets warm on the other. “It’s only $19.99 plus shipping and handling,” he says.

Parents often complain that kids come down with the gimmes at holiday time. Advertisements and family members who want to buy kids mountains of toys make it hard for parents to set limits.

This holiday season, I’m hoping to shift our family’s focus from getting to giving. I’m directing my energies to making gifts from scratch, spending more time together, and buying gifts for other families in need. My kids are already in on the action — they’ve been making handmade holiday cards for their friends and loved ones.

If you want to get away from the gimmes, read my new article, “Gift Giving Ideas to Bring Families Together,” published in the December issue of Military Spouse magazine. You’re sure to find several ways to celebrate the spirit of giving this season.