Kids can give gifts too

CEBU, Philippines - Christmas is a time for giving and receiving. And there’s a saying: “It’s better to give than to receive.” But what about the little children? Are they to be only on the receiving end? They have no means of income yet, and so they cannot afford to buy gifts to give.

While it’s true that kids don’t have means of earning money for buying gifts, still they may actually give gifts this Christmas. In fact, there are a lot of gifts that kids can give. These gifts may not even cost money – and may not have to be limited for their friends only.

Children may give gifts to their dear ones in the family – Daddy, Mommie, Grannies, or their siblings. They may come up with gifts that may be more meaningful, because these obviously carry their good intention to make their family members happy during the merry season. One is always happy to receive a gift that means he or she is being remembered or affectionately thought of.

Sometimes it true that it’s really the thought that counts. And this is especially so with little children. With imagination, kids can be able to give truly valuable gifts – gifts that are the product of devoted time and effort, and lots of love. Here are just a few examples:

Handmade Christmas Card.  For sure parents and grandparents – even aunts and uncles – will be glad to get a greeting card that has been crafted by little hands. They will know that they would not have gotten it if they didn’t mean dearly to the sender.

Service. A nice gift to give Mom would be to volunteer to do certain house chores for, say, a few days or a week. Aside from the joy that it will give Mom, it is also good opportunity for the child to learn useful house skills.

Entertainment Performance. The child who has some talent in performing – like singing or dancing or reciting a poem – he or she may present something as the family gathers at Christmas. The performance may be preceded by an announcement like: “To you, my dear family, I dedicate this (dance, song or poem) because you are very special to me…”

Concern for Others. This one goes beyond the limits of the home and into the whole community. There are always other kids around who are in difficult situations, without even food to eat at Christmas. Kids of better homes may pass off gifts from their own elders and ask that these be given to poor kids instead, in kinds that are most practical to the recipient kids.  For example, ready-to-eat meals may be distributed to homeless kids on the sidewalks on Christmas day. Also, used clothes and footwear will be most useful to indigent kids.

There are many other gifts still that kids can give. Any act of love and kindness given comes back as joy for the giver.  (FREEMAN)