A big ‘holiday’ is coming up. For some, it’s a favorite day. Yes, indeed, it’s a very special annual ritual where we gather around the big screen with friends, eat delicious foods like cheese dip, hot wings, grilled hot dogs and maybe even enjoy a evening, many children get to stay up past their bed time, eat junk food on paper plates in the living room (please-don’t-spill-or-touch-anything), watch cool commercials that everyone will be talking about at school tomorrow and maybe even hang out with some of their friends. Oh and then there’s the football. It’s the SUPER BOWL. What could be better!? More

Gifts!! Who doesn’t feel a little giddy when they see a present that has their name on it? Perhaps Scrooge, prior to learning that happiness has nothing to do with wealth but actually sharing with others? Or maybe the Grinch before learning that Christmas came to Who-ville “without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!”

Christmas morning can be a tear of gift opening, thrills and fun … and also expectations of receiving what’s on our list. We don’t want to let them down, but are we so busy filling orders that we cater to the “I Want” syndrome epidemic in today’s society? More

The Giving Book: Open the Door to a Lifetime of Giving, by Ellen Sabin, inspires, engages and teaches children about the act of giving back. It provides a process to help families guide their children in gaining a sense of compassion, exploring their own personal interests in helping others, and discovering the true impact they can have in the lives of others, their community and the world. The 64-page, spiral-bound workbook will be personalized by your child, making him the author of his own journey into compassion and giving. More

Many schools these days are requiring that students complete pre-determined hours of volunteer work in our community. Whether your children are required to volunteer, do so on their own, or you’re interested in offering them a new experience, you can be assured that not only will the community benefit, they will too. More

Many of us hit the stores on Black Friday. Maybe even more of us participated in Cyber Monday. Lots of us shopped locally on Small Business Saturday.  ’Tis the season of giving and getting. But what about really giving?

Well now we have an opportunity to show that we ‘give as good as we get’ on GIVING TUESDAY. Today! It’s simple, really. All you have to do is find a way to participate in acts of giving. You could include your family, your business or a group of your friends. You can volunteer, you can give financially, you can help a neighbor. It doesn’t matter what you do, just simply do it.

Bonus points for Giving Tuesday? Tell your children. Better yet? Include them. More