These are some ideas I've used for past and present years. (I'd love to hear more ideas!)
1. Make an edible gift and involve the preschooler or toddler in the process. This year, we made peppermint bark, and M helped me open the peppermint candies, crush and sprinkle them.
2. Involve the child in the gift-wrapping process. Let them use stickers to decorate an already- wrapped present, color a white sheet of wrapping paper with markers, or use paint to make hand or foot print wrapping paper. Use a little craft that they've done as the "bow."
3. Help the child memorize a little poem for the recipient. Here is a cute one for grandparents.
Grandparents Are Nice
Grandmas and Grandpas are everything nice.
Like presents and candy and raspberry ice.
And chocolate fudge sundaes, with cherries on top.
And popcorn and peanuts and grape soda pop.
In winter or summer, in rain or in sun,
Grandmas and Grandpas are wonderful fun!!!
-Anonymous
4. Make a coupon book full of coupons to be redeemed for hugs and kisses from the child.
5. Help the child make a little jar full of things that they like about the person.
6. Have the child do little chores around the house for money to buy a small gift.
7. If the recipient is long distance, make a video of the child doing some of their favorite things and include a personal message from your child to the recipient at the end.
Hmmmm, that's all I can think of right now...any other thoughts? Also...if you know me, pretend you didn't read this post come Christmas day :-)
6 comments:
We're trying to teach our little guy to be a grateful recipient of gifts that his doting relatives give him! He's making thank you notes for all of them (well, coloring the notes that Mama makes since he's only 19 months old). Also, he helped us pick out toys to give to underprivileged children.
These are great! We also took Kaia to visit with our neighbors and deliver little gifts...she loved telling them what was inside before they even had a chance to open it!
~Carla
We have a rule that you are not allowed to get a gift for yourself from under the tree on xmas morning. you have to get one and give it to someone else.
And we make a point of asking what did you give when talking to relatives instead of what did you get.
Deanna, that is a good idea to ask child what he gave (not got) for Christmas
I agree, asking kids what they gave is a great idea!
We have a rule that you are not allowed to get a gift for yourself from under the tree on xmas morning. you have to get one and give it to someone else.
And we make a point of asking what did you give when talking to relatives instead of what did you get.
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