Sliding Into Holiday Mode: The Christmas Message That Sticks
Let’s create a holiday mode that focuses less on getting and more on giving back. We’ve put together a few simple yet joyful ways to weave generosity into your family’s holidays, because the message that lasts isn’t wrapped in paper, but built in kindness!
As school winds down and the holidays stretch ahead, children flick quickly into “relax and play” mode. Parents, meanwhile, are juggling work, Christmas prep, and a house that seems to gather mess at record speed. The household is changing!
But there’s a simple way to settle everyone into holiday mode and give your child a message that lasts far longer than any present:
Build in activities that give back
Here are a few easy ideas that fit beautifully into the rhythm of school holidays:
A “Kindness Morning”
Choose one morning each week where your child does something small but meaningful, like baking for a neighbour, writing a thank-you note, or leaving a little surprise at someone’s door. It teaches thoughtfulness without making it a chore.
Let Them Be Helpers, Not Bystanders
Children love feeling capable. Helping pack the car for charity drop-offs or choosing a toy to donate reinforces a positive Christmas message: we share what we have.
Turn Traditions Into Moments of Giving
If you’re decorating the tree, ask your child to add one handmade ornament that represents something they’re grateful for. Gratitude is one of the easiest “gifts” to embed in childhood.
Build a Holiday “Give Back” List
Just three items. Keep it simple: visit an elderly neighbour, clean up a local park, or feed the birds. Short lists mean success and success builds confidence. Short, sharp activities work the best.
Match Relaxation With Purpose
Lazy mornings, beach trips, pyjama days, they’re all part of holiday magic. Adding one small act of kindness every few days keeps children grounded, calm, and connected.
Why this matters
Children remember how holidays felt, not what was bought. When you weave generosity into the break, you’re giving them something very precious and memorable: The sense that Christmas is about kindness, community, and noticing others. And that is a message that sticks long after the tinsel comes down.
“In this world its not about what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich.”