No matter how much money you have, you can make giving a family tradition that will enhance the lives of your children. When you choose the cause that matters most to your family, you can make positive change in the world instead of solely focusing on material possessions.

Donating Money to Charities

Every charity appreciates monetary donations. You can get your kids involved by asking them to set aside ten percent of the any money that they receive for birthdays and holidays. The amount that your child gives doesn’t matter. Teaching them the importance of supporting charities, however, will stick with them throughout their lives.

You can also have your family members set aside a certain percentage of the money that they spend on each other during the holidays. If your children would normally spend $50 on presents, then ask them to set aside $5 for charity. This will help control the amount that your family spends on gifts while helping charities meet their goals during the holidays. In the end, $5 probably doesn’t mean much to you, but it can mean quite a bit to someone in need.

Volunteer at a Non-Profit

If you simply don’t have money to spare, then make volunteering a family tradition. Every Tuesday evening, you could take your family to a local soup kitchen to serve meals. You could also work with your local Humane Society, church or other organization. Spending time in service of others can help you and your kids develop a keener awareness of your own blessings. That way, you don’t take the good things in life for granted.