This month is all about gratitude, but sometimes with the amount of “stuff”- both tangible items and a jam-packed holiday schedule - it’s easy to lose sight.

As a parent, I want to give my children opportunities to give back and love others as much as they are recipients of others’ generosity. Just this weekend we spent a couple hours helping to clean up our local community center grounds. It was a beautiful way to spend a fall day and while it was hard work, they enjoyed connecting with other neighbors and feeling helpful. I wanted to share how we spend intentional time with our children thinking about others, in case there is anyone who needs some fresh inspiration.

Choosing gifts for those in need around the world - the last several years, the kids have gone through catalogs for World Vision, Heifer International and more and each choose a gift to donate.

Donate food - we always look for ways to stock up food pantries in our area - the kids help pick out items at the store or come with me to drop-off.

My new favorite tradition, begun last year, was having the kids each “shop our house” for items they could “give” to their siblings and to us. These obviously aren’t new items, but it was so neat to see what they thought their people would enjoy all over again and the excitement was just as palpable as if they were opening something brand new.

Baking goodies for neighbors is a tradition we began when my eldest was just a toddler - the light the children bring to those around them is so sweet. We have made deliveries anytime between early November and end of January - to show our gratitude for our community, This is a tangible way for my small ones to give easily and build relationships right in our own backyard.

Donate Goods - Choose a toy for Toys for Tots or an Angel Tree, fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child, collect canned goods for the local food bank, or provide warmth before winter by participating in a coat drive.