People are naturally more generous during the holidays. We talk about giving, we model it, and we create opportunities for our children to participate. But what happens when the decorations come down and life returns to normal?
As parents, we're called to inspire a heart of generosity in our children that extends far beyond December—one that shapes how they see the world and interact with others every single day of the year.
Being Generous Goes Beyond Christmas Morning Gift Exchanges
While giving and receiving gifts can be meaningful for children (and admittedly feel good as parents), generosity encompasses so much more than what fits under a tree. When we expand our definition of generosity, we open up countless opportunities for our children to practice giving throughout the year.
Children can benefit from being generous, as:
- Children develop strong empathy. When kids give to others, they learn to recognize and respond to others' needs and emotions.
- Children experience increased gratitude. Generosity shifts focus from what we lack to what we have to offer, naturally cultivating thankfulness.
- Children learn how to shift perspectives. Generous acts require thinking beyond oneself, a crucial skill for emotional intelligence and healthy relationships. While Sonlight books do an amazing job of exposing kids to other cultures and perspectives and inspire parent-led conversations about others’ experiences, practicing generosity moves your child’s understanding of generosity and perspective-shifts from theoretical to practical application.
Sonlight’s literature-rich approach naturally supports this. When your child journeys through stories of heroes, families, and cultures different from their own, they begin to see the world with compassionate curiosity—making generous actions come far more naturally.
Raising Generous Kids: How to Teach Generosity Year-Round
As Christians, we are called to giving: “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (see 2 Corinthians 9:6–8). During the holiday season, examples of generosity surround us. The challenge and opportunity are in inspiring that same spirit all year long.
Start When They’re Small
Don't wait until your child is older or "ready" to understand. You can begin cultivating generosity when they're toddlers. Even young children can share toys, help a friend, or contribute to a food drive. These early experiences plant seeds that grow into lifelong habits. The key is consistency: small, frequent acts of generosity make a bigger impact than grand, occasional gestures.
Give Them the Tools They Need
Children need practical ways to be generous. This might mean setting aside a portion of their allowance for giving, creating care packages together, or establishing family traditions around service. Make generosity tangible and accessible.
Many families find that tying these giving habits into their regular Sonlight read-aloud time or weekly routine helps generosity become part of the rhythm of family life, not an occasional extra.
Remember, Generosity Comes in Different Forms.
Help your children see that generosity involves much more than money. What are the different types of generosity children can explore?
- Have generous thoughts, which can mean thinking well of others, assuming the best, praying for someone
- Be generous with words by offering encouragement or compliments, speaking up for someone, and praying for people.
- Be giving with your time, which can look like playing with the lonely kid at the playground, helping a sibling with homework, or helping around the house outside of everyday chores.
- Be present and generous with attention by listening fully when someone speaks and being present without distraction.
- Use your influence to be generous by including others, using social capital to help someone feel welcome, and finding ways to help in your immediate social circle.
When children understand these dimensions of generosity, they realize they always have something to give, regardless of age or resources.
Recognize What Impedes Generosity
What causes a lack of generosity? If you've noticed your child struggling to share or give freely, you might be asking this question. Understanding what blocks generosity helps us address the root issues rather than just the symptoms.
- A focus on getting more instead giving more. While budgeting is a legitimate concern, often what impedes generosity isn't limited resources but a materialistic mindset. When we're constantly acquiring more, we struggle to see what we could share. Consider modifying your gift giving and/or discussing thoughtful consumption as a family.
- The feeling of "not enough." If children believe there's never enough, whether time, money, or love, they'll hold tightly to what they have. Counter this by highlighting abundance: the ways your family has been provided for, the blessings you've experienced, the needs you've been able to meet.
- A lack of empathy. As we mentioned, generosity and literature-based learning develop empathy. Incorporating sharing and giving into your everyday routine can help counter this.
Keep Generosity at the Heart of the Holidays
While generosity should be a lifelong, everyday habit, Christmas and other holidays genuinely are about giving. Sometimes we lose sight of this amid the busyness, commercialization, and pressure to create perfect moments. Return to the heart of the season by:
- Emphasizing service as much as celebration in your holiday traditions
- Choosing gifts thoughtfully rather than excessively
- Creating opportunities for your children to give, not just receive
- Taking time to remember the reason for the season and prepare your heart for Christmas as a family
- Sharing stories like St. Nicholas's that illustrate Christlike generosity
As you read rich, meaningful Christmas stories together—whether from your current Sonlight program or seasonal favorites—you’re giving your children more than information. You’re shaping their imaginations around Christlike generosity. Sonlight's Advent Unit Studies include stories (as well as discussion guides, activity ideas, recipes, and crafting supplies) that encourage families to not only prepare their hearts for Christmas but also be more hopeful, generous, and Christlike.
St. Nicholas's story reminds us that true generosity flows from a transformed heart—one that sees needs and responds with joy, not obligation. This Christmas season, let his example inspire conversations with your children about what it means to give as Christ gave: freely, sacrificially, and cheerfully.
The most generous gift you can give your children isn’t wrapped or purchased. It’s the model of a life shaped by compassion, service, and Christlike love. As you read, learn, and grow together this year, your example becomes an invitation—showing your kids that generosity isn’t a season, but a way of living every day.
Want to continue exploring the heart of the holidays with your family? Join our Christmas microlearning series for daily lessons, stories, and activities that help your children discover the true meaning of the season. Sign up to receive brief, engaging content straight to your inbox—perfect for busy families seeking to make faith formation part of their everyday routine.
