Positive parenting: 5 family activities to remember what Christmas is really about

It's easy for the presents and the gift shopping to steal a lot of the focus.

But ever since my children we old enough to understand, I try to also include activities and chats about what the true spirit of Christmas and the holiday season is all about. For instance, we talk about, in an age-appropriate way, how not every family is the same, how people celebrate differently. How some people don't even celebrate Christmas as they have a different religion. I try to also remind them how lucky we are, having everything we need, and how some people have less, some might be lonely and without any friends or family to share the season with, and some might not have money for a big Christmas tree and lots of presents. And then we talk about how we can lend a hand. How we can help others, and how, most of all, we can be kind. Because, after all, kindness, and hope, really is what this season is all about. And then we incorporate a few of these actions and activities into our holiday season, and I love knowing that, hopefully, these will be things my children will take with them as they grow up. That they are learning to give – and not just nicely wrapped presents, but rather their time, their efforts, their care and their hearts. Here are just five little activities that we often incorporate into our December, and that will remind everyone what this season truly means: 1. Donate winter coats to homeless shelters or direct provision centres Give warmth this winter, those coats that your children have outgrown, will no doubt be deeply appreciated by others. 2. Check in on elderly neighbours Drop around homebaked treats, stand at a safe distance from their door for a chat and simply pick up the phone and ask if there is anything they need help with right now. 3. Pay it forward Those little acts of immediate kindness can leave a lasting impact on someone and you never know how far your kind action can snowball. Pay for the coffee order of the person behind you in the line. Give your still-time-left-on-it parking ticket to someone as you are leaving. It really is the small things when it comes to portraying how small acts of kindness work. 4. Send Christmas cards (and homemade arts and crafts) to a local nursing home It will no doubt put a smile on many faces and light up the day for someone who might really need it. 5. Donate unused toys Your local charity shop will be delighted, or check around if there is somewhere local than can distribute these toys directly to people living in emergency accommodation or direct provision centres.