Holiday Season with a Twist for the Better!!!

Christmas can be an overwhelming “me” fest for kids. Every manufacturer is using every means possible to convince them that they cannot be happy unless they have one more thing. This year we could make it our job to be deliberate to make Christmas about giving to others. With our example and the experiences we can provide for the little ones, and the older ones, sharing with others can become second nature to them. Even in small ways, children can be used to show compassing in a world that lacks that value now a days.

As parents and teachers, the habit of compassion and generosity is a gift we can give our children and students that will serve them well all of their lives.

Here are 9 ideas that will help encourage you and your family to make Compassion and others the center of this holiday season.

1.             Participate in a clothing/coat/blanket drive or have your own.

2.            Take cards and flowers to a nursing home or an orphanage.

3.            Help your kids save and earn money for a toy drive. Televicentro has a toy drive every year.

4.            Fill a shoebox with school supplies and donate them to places like “Casa del Niño”.

5.            Choose a gift and take it to the World Vision office located at the end of Boulevard Morazán, near Gold’s Gym.

6.            Write a Christmas card to thank the people around you, like the guards, cleaning ladies, or gardeners who service your neighborhood or home.

7.            Invite a person who does not have a family here in Honduras to have dinner with you for the holidays.

8.            Clean out your closets, toy chest and cupboards and donate them to your local church.

9.            Make any of the above the beginning of a way of life for you and your kids.

If you have anything you want to donate, contact me at icasco@discoveryschool.edu.hn. There is an organization that visits Hospital Escuela on the regular basis that could use any thing you would like to donate and do not yet know where to take it.

I wish you lots of happiness with your family. Have a wonderful Christmas holiday!! I will see you in January 2012!