 |
| Use gift giving opportunities to teach young children about resourcefulness, self-esteem, creativity and sharing. |
With children there is a great educative value in their present giving if it is encouraged to be really their own giving. If the mother, however, simply prepares some little remembrance, and says "Mary, this is your Christmas present to Aunt Ellen," the gift has no meaning, but it becomes actually harmful for the reason it presents the idea to the child that the gift without the giver is really a gift. And the child has put no thought or self sacrifice into the giving of that present.
On the other hand, if the child be given pocket money which she may consider her very own, or, better still, if she is enabled to earn pocket money and is then encouraged to set aside a portion of her very own money for present making the idea of true giving is acquired. The sacrifice, the fore thought, the love necessary to make a gift a real gift are all there.
The home-made gifts of children have many valuable lessons to teach the young givers. Many lessons in sewing, raffia, bead-work or painting may be given under the guise of making a gift. In one family, where the elder sister had never made gifts, and really never learned to sew well until she was eighteen years of age, the younger sister, a girl of ten, inspired by the example of a small friend, wished to make birthday gifts for her family. One she asked her mother to teach her how to crochet; another time to scallop, and before she was twelve years old she had become as proficient a little seamstress as one would want to see.
Thus practical lessons are learned, while the child is inspired with the idea that "Not what we give, but what we share; the gift without the giver is bare." The Public Ledger More "Kid Friendly" Gifts for Children to Share at Christmas Time:
On the other hand, if the child be given pocket money which she may consider her very own, or, better still, if she is enabled to earn pocket money and is then encouraged to set aside a portion of her very own money for present making the idea of true giving is acquired. The sacrifice, the fore thought, the love necessary to make a gift a real gift are all there.
The home-made gifts of children have many valuable lessons to teach the young givers. Many lessons in sewing, raffia, bead-work or painting may be given under the guise of making a gift. In one family, where the elder sister had never made gifts, and really never learned to sew well until she was eighteen years of age, the younger sister, a girl of ten, inspired by the example of a small friend, wished to make birthday gifts for her family. One she asked her mother to teach her how to crochet; another time to scallop, and before she was twelve years old she had become as proficient a little seamstress as one would want to see.
Thus practical lessons are learned, while the child is inspired with the idea that "Not what we give, but what we share; the gift without the giver is bare." The Public Ledger More "Kid Friendly" Gifts for Children to Share at Christmas Time:
- 15 Christmas gifts kids can make for parents, grandparents, and teachers
- 17 Holiday gift kids can make
- 15 Homemade Christmas gifts that kids can make
- 100 Homemade Gift Ideas
Very interesting and helpful guide in child formation of values when the child had been enabled to earn pocket money and is then further encouraged to set aside a portion of his/her very own money for gift giving thus making the value of true giving is acquired. Indeed, as it is aptly written here..."The sacrifice, the fore thought, the love necessary to make a gift a real gift are all there."
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting.
Sole Gage
Say It With God’s Word
Click here to learn more about Gift-Giving
I agree. I have always taught the same to my kids.
ReplyDelete