How do you teach your children not to be selfish when it comes to Christmas gifts?

My parents always had us volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to show us that there are people that are less fortunate....we also were only allowed to ask for three gifts each year on our lists (since the wisemen brought Jesus three gifts) we often recieved more but it kept us from getting greedy.....and finally when we woke up the day after Christmas before we could play with any of our new stuff we had to write thank you letters to everyone that had sent us stuff...





It seems like now days all everyone cares about is how much they can get (look at the stores during the holiday season people are getting trampled!!!!) how do you keep the children in your family from being selfish and greedy during this time of year?

How do you teach your children not to be selfish when it comes to Christmas gifts?
My family was actually one of those less fortunate families you folks like to talk about. My father pursuing other female interests my mom managed to teach us. We (my brothers and sister, mother and I) had very little money and even fewer gifts. We sold oranges, grapefruit and pecans on the street corner for a little extra cash.





Heres the kicker. We each were allowed 2 gifts of our own choice, however, once we opened these gifts we had to choose one of our gifts to donate to someone else (usually located through my mothers work or church). My mother truely believed that it was better to give than to receive.





This same activity took place on any and all occassions where gifts were received by any of us.





To this day, I still practice this with myself.





Merry Christmas To All
Reply:We have our son pick out a gift, something that he would want and give that gift to, the church, or to a gift drive so that a boy or girl would get something.





We have been doing this for 8 years now. He knows that not every boy or girl gets a gift on Christmas, but at least one boy or girl will get one because of him. This year he paid for the gift out of his own money.





It's worked so far.
Reply:Your parents had the right idea. Teaching them to appreciate what they have and limiting the amount of gifts is the right idea. You could also have your children take old toys that they do not use and donate it to a charity, I'm sure there is another child out there who will appreciate it.
Reply:Have them open all their gifts, then have them choose one to give away to a child that needs it more than they do. It's hard, but a good lesson. They don't get to play with the one they plan to give away.
Reply:Anyway to show them that there are others who are less fortunate and in need of love and compassion (not pity!). Volunteering in a soup kitchen, giving to toys for tots, random acts of kindness...anything.





Antoher idea is have a jar that each month, everyone throws some money into (especially the kids). At christmas time, use that money to purchase toys (and useful items like coats) for needy children in your community. It a great lesson in sharing excess blessings!





Merry Christmas!
Reply:With a glare and a toneful voice say "What did we discuss about sharing...."





Repeat if necessary.
Reply:the joy of Christmas is not the presents it is seeing family and Knowing a holiday on ur religon
Reply:why not do what your parents did.. volunteer your kids to help somebody this christmas??? take them to church and tell them the true meaning of christmas.. why we really celebrate it...
Reply:You obviously have caring parents teaching you solid values. What you did volunteering is good. Another way, which is kind of strange that I heard of before is to let the child choose one gift to keep and donate all the rest of their gifts.If that seems too harsh, I think writing a personal thank you note for each gift they recieved seems fair.
Reply:when i was a child, we got one gift an hour, for 12 hours. and then we fot to open the stocking on hour 13.





if we did not behave and play nice with our brothers, we did not get to pick a gift that hour. it was great christmas lasted all day and not just for an hour or so. and we had time to actually open the toy and play with it a little before going to the next one. and it promoted shareing between us.
Reply:It all comes down to...we're all jealous of each other's stuff...It's not that we're greedy...we just want something that no one else has or we want to get something that no one else can...look at the PS3 thing that was BEFORE Christmas...*sigh*
Reply:♥ ♥ by following your parents examples, they are great ♥ ♥
Reply:dont give da little selfish brats anything.......
Reply:what ur parents did sounds absolutely perfect to me


wish i'd heard of it 40 years ago


have a very merry xmas and a h n y