Receiving and Giving - Christmas Countdown!

At this grandma's house we do something fun to help countdown to Christmas . . . after Thanksgiving dinner, the boys help put up and decorate our Christmas tree. Then they get to open a gift . . . and each time they are at my house between Thanksgiving and Christmas, they get to open another gift. Now, let me say, most of these gifts are small items . . . a book, matchbox car, tub of playdoh, coupon for a free Frosty from Wendy's, etc. Just small, fun things for the boys to open as we countdown to Christmas.

This year we are going to do something new, which will become part of our tradition. With each small gift they open, they will make a "coupon" which tells or shows something they will do to give to their parents. Their coupons could be for work they will do . . . dust the living room, clean the bathroom sink, help vacuum, etc. Or, they could be for something they will give their parents . . . hugs, kisses, etc. Or, the coupon could be for something they will do with their parents . . . play a game, challenge to a snowball fight, build a snowman, etc.

With each gift the boys receive, they will will get to think of something they will do for or with their parents. We will save all the coupons throughout the coming month, and then wrap them up for their parents to open on Christmas Day!

I want the boys to not just be thinking about the things they will, "receive", but to also focus on what they can do to give to others . . . this year, it will be their parents!

What do you do to help your grandchildren think about giving in a time of year when so much focus is on receiving?