Introducing Kids to Giving This Holiday Season

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Capital One for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Each Christmas, like most of you, I make an extra effort to help give to others. There are a few charities that I donate to because they have a cause I’m passionate about.

This is the first year that Brady is old enough to begin to participate, although I’ve been trying to lay the ground work by example since he was born. I’m excited to get him into the spirit of giving, but want to do so in a way that is appropriate for a four-year-old.

Introducing Kids to Giving

I’m keeping it simple by using these three ideas to introduce Brady to giving.

Give them the power – Don’t simply drag your kids along for the ride, let them drive. Let them choose the cause they want to support and how to support. If your little one wants to help other kids enjoy gifts under the tree then suggest participating in a toy drive. There are usually several they can choose from. Then, with your guidance, they can choose the things they would like to donate.

Leading by example – When you do something caring for someone, make sure you acknowledge it to your children. In most circumstances we’re encouraged to be private about our giving, but this situation is different. If you don’t point it out to young ones they may not notice. Including them in some way is even better! “Mommy just made a casserole for Ms. Jones. Do you want to come with me to deliver it?”

It doesn’t always cost money – Although money is at the heart of most giving because it helps the most, we can give in other ways as well. We made these compliment cards that are free and guaranteed to make someone smile. Who knows who you will effect in a positive way just by leaving pieces of paper around.

Wish For Others

CapitalOne is helping to grant people’s wish for others this season and they want to hear from you! You can share your wish for someone else – a family member, a friend, a neighbor, or a community — with #WishForOthers on Twitter Instagram, or the Capital One Facebook page from Nov. 24 through Dec. 23 for a chance to make it come true.

Here is our wish this year:

What is your wish for others? Go to www.wishforothers.com to learn more information. You can wish for whatever you want! Just use the hashtag and you might get your wish granted.