healthykids
Gifts for Good
Instilling Generosity & Joy
in Children
by elisa Bosley
every december, parents like me lament the “gimme”
culture that so easily overtakes the holidays. But
with environmental and social justice issues gaining
ground and everyone rethinking economic priorities,
introducing your child to opportunities for alternative
giving can make a world of difference.
E
ven little changes—such as add- donating to a tree-planting group. There nies as those found at WorldofGood.org
ing a charity to the family’s giving are endless ways to creatively encourage and BeadforLife.org.
tradition—can have a profound giving to a cause that matters to a child. The nifty, solar-powered BOGO
impact on how a child approaches (Buy One/Give One) flashlight at
the holidays. The idea is not to make
a child feel bad about wanting stuff or
Go Eco
BogoLight.com does more than il-
luminate your keyhole; for every light
be guilted into giving to others. Only
When nothing but a tangible gift will
purchased, another is donated to a
cheerful giving makes a lasting dif-
do, scour natural shops, where you’ll
grateful community in the developing
ference. The following tips will help
find high-quality items made with
world. When you buy the UN World
everyone tap into a deeper joy this
personal and planetary health in mind.
Food Programme’s reversible burlap
holiday season by embracing altruistic
Options abound: adorable, organic,
and muslin FEED bag, proceeds feed
and Earth-friendly gifts.
stuffed animals and nontoxic wooden
one impoverished child for one school
toys make babies and toddlers smile.
year; it’s available at Amazon.com.
Even picky teens might appreciate a
reframe the List
sustainable-harvest bamboo skateboard
Rather than instituting a blanket prohi- (reportedly stronger than conventional
Volunteer
bition on traditional gifts, consider ask- decks), or trendy, organic-fiber ap-
Return to the list you generated with
ing your child to name the two or three parel. Also consider scouting high-end
your child and pick something you can
items he or she most wants to receive. consignment stores for barely used and
do together in your town as a gift to
Then, gently turn the focus outward by cost-conscious clothes and toys. Then,
your family’s place in the world. Do
generating a new list, asking, “What do encourage low-impact wrappings, such
your kids love outings near the water?
you love the most?” as cloth napkins, kitchen towels or an
Spend an hour picking up trash along a
Aside from the obvious (“Cookies!” old standby, the Sunday comics.
local shoreline or creek. Do they enjoy
“My iPod!”), try to capture your child’s
the company of other kids? Have them
fondness for certain things: animals,
people, places or hobbies. Then ask,
Give and Do Good
box up gently used or new clothes,
books and toys and deliver them to a
“How can we give a gift to that?” For
When shopping, look for fair-trade
family shelter housing homeless chil-
example, if your daughter says “Bears,”
items, which means that producers
dren. Whatever you do, make it your
ask if she’d like to give money to help
were paid honest wages for their wares.
child’s choice. You’ll likely find that
protect panda or grizzly habitats. Play
Jewelry, chocolates, toys and more can
altruistic giving is a lot like cooking:
up your son’s fondness for tree forts by
be sourced from such fair-trade compa-
Once kids get involved, they eat it up.
2 Collier / Lee Counties
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72