The holiday season is quickly approaching, though according to the stores I shop in it has been for a couple of weeks now. And it is the time to think about charity, good works, and reaching out to those less fortunate in the spirit of the holiday season. Not to say that you shouldn’t so this year round, but at this time of year when so much of our time is spent being consumers and overindulging our children (oh c’mon admit it you know you are too) it seems especially important. I like my children to see that beyond the gifts they receive and parties that they attend, there is a special joy that only happens in giving.

One of my favorites is Operation Shoebox, or Operation Christmas Child as it is officially called. Simply fill a shoebox with items that a child might need or want. Simple games, toiletries, school supplies, etc are the sort of things you pack into the shoebox. Bring your children to the dollar store and let each of them fill a shoebox for a child the same sex and age as themselves. The boxes are collected in churches and facilities all around the country and then forwarded on to children in need. But you will need to act fast, national collection week is November 12-19th.

While googling for the link above I came across another Operation Shoebox. This one is to adopt a soldier and send packages and letters year round not just at Christmas. If you don’t feel like doing anything as formal, ask friends and co-workers if they know any soldiers stationed overseas. You can send a package to that person to share with his or her fellow soldiers. We sent 150 cards filled with candy one year. My kids still talk about that.

Oxfam is a great way to pick a present with your children and have them understand that in this vast huge world that one person really can make a difference in the life of someone who they will never meet. Buy a goat for a needy third world family or support a farmer in the fight against poverty by giving them the tools to break free.

Want to do something closer to home? Call your local women’s shelters, soup kitchens or food pantries and ask if you can sponsor a family. We do this for Thanksgiving. We are given a list of household members with their ages and genders as well as a suggested list of food to buy to fill a basket. Usually we throw in a couple of toys and some special fun snacks to go along with the meal.

Don’t have any extra money? You can bring yourself and your children down to an assisted living facility. We have friends who do this twice a month. They go visit the elderly, play cards with them, and just sit and listen to their stories.

So what are you going to do this holiday season?