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In This Post
Practice Gratitude Together
Keep Gifts in Perspective
Make Giving Personal
Celebrate Traditions and Experiences
Practice the Gift of "Enough"
Balance is a Beautiful Thing
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The holidays are full of magical moments. Between the festive lights, family traditions, and wide-eyed excitement of finding presents under the tree, it’s perfectly natural that gift-giving takes center stage. But with all the joy of the season, it’s also an excellent chance to remind our children that it’s important to be thankful and remember the holidays are about more than gifts.
So how do we help our kids find that balance? How do we let them enjoy the fun of getting gifts while still teaching them how to be grateful and generous? Here are a few suggestions.
Practice Gratitude Together
Gratitude isn’t just for the holidays. Ask your kids to name something they’re thankful for each day. Then you do the same. Sharing these moments around the dinner table or jotting their answers down in a journal is a great way to help them build a habit of being thankful.
Keep Gifts in Perspective
For many children, making a wish list is part of the holiday fun. If you’re a parent, it can be a good chance to set some realistic expectations. It can be as simple as saying, “We may not get everything on your list, but the gifts we choose will be special.” Even younger kids can start to understand that thoughtful giving matters more than the number of boxes under the tree.
Make Giving Personal
Kids learn generosity by example — and by being generous. Invite them to pick out a toy for a charity drive, bake cookies for a neighbor, or help wrap gifts for a family in need. Seeing how their kindness causes others to light up is often more rewarding than opening a gift of their own. And that feeling is one they can experience all year long, not just at the holidays.
Celebrate Traditions and Experiences
Presents come and go, but traditions can grow into something truly special. Whether it’s a family drive to see Christmas lights, a holiday movie marathon, or volunteering together, shared experiences remind kids that the season is about spending time and making memories together — not just getting new things.
Practice the Gift of “Enough”
It’s easy to feel pressure to do more, buy more, give more. And while it can be fun to give your kids what they want, they can also benefit from learning that what they already have is enough. There’s no need to go overboard. A few thoughtful gifts, plenty of family time, and a little holiday magic go a long way.
Balance is a Beautiful Thing
At the end of the day, the holidays are about finding joy — in giving, receiving, and simply being together. By weaving gratitude into the mix, we can help kids enjoy their presents without losing sight of the bigger picture.
From all of us at Spero, we hope your holiday season is filled with joy, gratitude, and maybe even the start of a new family tradition or two.
This material is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
