9 Family-Friendly Christmas Gifts from CatholicMom.com

9 Family-Friendly Christmas Gifts
By Rose Godfrey

As the Christmas season approaches, parents often struggle to find just the right gifts for their children. This year, make the Christmas season more meaningful and memorable by giving these 9 special gifts to your children. Best of all, you won’t spend a fortune, and you won’t wait in line.

Christ—This year, resolve to keep Christ at the center of Christmas. Put together a nativity scene, attend a Christmas Eve service, or read the Christmas story found in the Gospel of Luke. Choose decorations, gift wrap, and accessories that depict the birth of the Christ child.

Honor—The Bible reminds us of our responsibility to honor God and to honor our parents. Make a commitment to demonstrate honor to your children this holiday season and throughout the coming year.

Responsibility—Help your children become more responsible by holding them accountable for their actions. Set clear, realistic boundaries and stick to them.

Independence—Let your children know that this year, they are on their own. Give them a monetary limit, or even better, have them use their own money for gifts. Allow your children to budget, plan, and purchase all the gifts on their lists.

Service—Service projects abound at Christmas time. Call your church or service organization to learn about opportunities. Consider donating time to a soup kitchen or food bank, bringing gifts to hospitalized children, baking pies for the Rescue Mission, or sending cards to shut-ins. Give your best to others and involve your children in your efforts.

Time—Ever feel like the meaning of Christmas gets lost in all the rush? Set aside time for your kids. Listen to what each child has to say. Spend time together baking cookies or crafting Christmas gifts for others. Let your children pick the activity, follow their lead, and don’t worry too much about the finished product. It is the process, not the product, that counts. Consider giving your children gift certificates for uninterrupted time—and then honor them!

Music--Pack a thermos of hot chocolate or cider and go caroling. Gather the family by the piano for a Christmas songfest. Invite the neighborhood over for karaoke night. Make a joyful noise!

Adventure—Tired of paying tree lot prices for a Christmas tree? Pack a lunch and head for the hills, and chop your own. Take the day. Discuss the merits of each tree you find until you find the one tree that is perfect. No place to cut a tree in your neck of the woods? Head out in search of the perfect Christmas tumbleweed or take a day trip and explore a place you’ve never been. Remember the wonder of childhood and experience life through their eyes for the day.

Sentiment—Find a quiet spot and spend a few moments writing a card, letter or poem to everyone in your family. Tell each person how much you treasure them, how much they mean to you. Remind them that you pray for them daily, that you love them, and that you thank God for them.

Rose Godfrey is a freelance writer. She lives in California with her husband and their 8 great kids.