I was going to post this in the charity thread because it is along similar lines, but thought it probably deserved its own attention.
As a part of our family Yule celebration, we have attempted to get our kids to think about more than just "what stuff am I getting" and "I want. I want. I want". We've tried to do this in a way that is still fun and exciting for them so that, hopefully, the point behind it, thinking about others, really sticks. We have been having them pick out a small gift for each other that they have to take the time to shop for, pay for (with our money, but they have to go through the check out process of handing over the money and getting the change), wrap themselves and then they put this under each others' trees until the first day of winter when they get to open them.
In many ways, this has worked. They love doing something different that they know their friends don't do and are always really excited about this activity (all parts, not just the opening) and they tend to really enjoy giving to each other and do take the time to think about what each other really wants. They also tend to appreciate these little gifts a bit more than some of the things they get from us or other family members. The problem with this is that it is still about the "stuff".
Hubby and I have tried to come up with something that brings the same level of excitement and enjoyment as the gift exchange and still be a good experience and lesson in giving of self , but isn't so much about the "stuff". We seriously considered taking them shopping for toys, having them pick out something they would really like to have and then having them drop it in the Toys for Tots box on the way out, but they'd probably hate us for that.
![whistle :whistle:](https://www.paganjourneys.com/Smileys/funsmileys/whistle.gif)
When the flier first came home, I thought that might be a good place to start, then I read the wish lists. I also know that, at least at this point, my kids aren't the types where doing anything at all that doesn't benefit them in some way could be considered fun or something they would get excited about.
Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Anything you do, or someone you know of, that may give me a jumping off place for us to reshape our Yule celebration for the kids? Or, do you think what we are doing now is really still the better option at this point? Oh, and my kids are 12, 8 and 6 this year if that helps.