Inspiring ideas to spread holiday cheer with your kids

(NC) This time of year, kids often get overexcited and overstimulated with all the advertising in the media. They keep on asking for their favourite superhero figurine, latest game console or the “every-kid-in-school-has-it” trending toys that you still haven't bought. So how can you teach them that there is more to receiving? How do you get them to become aware and responsible consumers? And how do you show them the importance of giving back to the community?

Here are a few ideas to teach your kids the true holiday spirit.

1. Volunteer at a local charity. What better way to teach your kids the importance of helping one another than going to a local charity to offer a hand? Whether it's preparing and delivering food baskets, volunteering some time at a homeless shelter or picking up a wagon and going from door-todoor to collect food items for the local food bank, there's a way for everyone to participate.

2. Helping beyond borders. Spend an afternoon learning more about the lives of children around the world by watching a good documentary on a specific country and then show your support by giving back. Visit the Unicef Survival Gift online shop and offer vital supplies — like baby blankets, therapeutic food, vaccines, clean water and education supplies — that are delivered to children around the world to help them survive. Find out more at shop.unicef.ca.

3. Help out an elderly neighbour. Have your kids perform random acts of kindness for your elderly neighbours. You could bake some treats and cookies with your child and then they can deliver them to the person next door, send your eldest to shovel their walkway after a storm. Devoting a little time to spreading the kindness is an excellent way of making the most of the season.