The Secret to Joyful Giving

The giving season is almost here, but if you feel like you might be missing out on some of the excitement, you’re not alone. Although “the joy of giving” is a real and powerful thing, the truth is that most of us, children and adults alike, could use a little help connecting to that feeling.

If your family might benefit from a little giving inspiration, we suggest aligning your giving with the rest of your life—the things that really interest and excite you as individuals.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

Make it Personal

To make giving meaningful, we must first liberate it from the isolated, lonely silo of “stuff we’re supposed to do” and connect it to our everyday interests and experience. Whether we’re young or old, meaningful giving begins with sincere and genuine engagement.

Young Children

The youngest members of your family may not have well-developed interests or extensive life experiences, but they do have feelings that can be developed into empathy and generosity. You can help young children tap into these feelings by asking them to draw pictures. Ask: “What things are you thankful for? What makes you happy? What makes you sad?”

By age three, children are typically developing awareness of other people’s feelings, so it’s the perfect time to introduce age-appropriate picture books that explore generosity and the power of giving. Here are a few suggestions:

Because of You: A Book of Kindness by B.G. Hennessy explains how acts of kindness, understanding and generosity can make all the difference in the world.

Stand in My Shoes: Kids Learning About Empathy by Bob Sornson Ph.D. teaches children how to notice the feelings of others and why their feelings matter.

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig tells how a simple act of kindness transforms Brian, an “invisible boy” who nobody seems to notice, into a friend.

You can also use books to answer young children’s difficult questions about what they observe, such as: “Why did that man ask you for money? Why is that lady sleeping on the park bench?” (For example, The Lady in the Box by Ann McGovern deals candidly with homelessness.) As children start to become aware of complex social problems such as poverty and homelessness, they can often find comfort in the realization that you and they have the power to make an appreciable difference.

School-Age Children

Older children have started to develop their own interests, like an obsession with amphibians or video games. They’re also old enough to understand that action should follow empathy. However, rather than pushing charitable giving as a moral imperative, you can show these children that giving can be an extension of something they already enjoy (like a favorite hobby) or connect to something they have personally experienced (like being sick or missing their family).

Examples of organizations that may be of particular interest to young people include:

Frogwatch USA: Helps conserve amphibians by reporting data on the calls of local frogs and toads.

4 Paws for Ability: Provides service dogs to children worldwide.

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: Saves orphaned and endangered elephants, rhinos and giraffes.

A Million Thanks: Supports and appreciates military men and women through letters and granting life wishes.

Ronald McDonald House: Keeps families with sick children together and near the care and resources they need.

Heifer International: Provides sustainable livelihoods to families in need through the gift of a goat, heifer, alpaca, or llama.