Wish Lists

Several years ago, I started a little "tradition" in our family. Every year right before Christmas and then again in the summer time right before Samuel's and Avery's birthdays, I have the kids go through their toys and collect everything they no longer want or play with. The basic concept is that since they are about to receive more toys, they should get rid of the toys they don't play with all that much first. Then I make a point to take the toys to a women's shelter and give them away to the children there. Most (if not all) of the toys are in near perfect condition. You know, it's those awesome toys that they simply had to have, and then they never got played with?



The first time I did this with the kids, I did it out of a shear lack of space for the new toys they were about to get. We lived in an 1100 sq. ft. house at the time. We needed to get rid of some things before bringing more stuff into the house. The kids did NOT want to get rid of some of their things. They didn't understand why they had to do it. But they were young toddlers, so of course they struggled with it. The second time was a little easier. And now, here we are some 6 years later, and it's a piece of cake for my kids. They've learned how to go into their rooms and pick out the items they want to give away, and they completely understand that the toys are going to children in need.



So today, Avery asked if she could have a specific toy for Christmas. And she told me that she wanted to get together a Christmas wish list. The girl is ALWAYS thinking ahead... I told her that she could absolutely start a wish list, but that she knew what needed to happen first.

About 15 minutes later, she came out of her room with all of this:

We give in other ways throughout the year as well. Just this past summer, we donated close to 12 bags of clothing to the women's shelter as well. But this is just one way that I have tried to instill a giving spirit in my children, while also helping them to be aware of the fact that they have so much, but there are children in our community who have nothing.



If you're looking for ways to give back this upcoming holiday season, I would encourage you to contact a local women's shelter and simply ask what might be on some of the women and children's wish lists this year.