There’s something refreshing about starting a new year and the possibilities it presents. Some call it a ‘do over’ while others might see an opportunity to turn over a new leaf. Regardless, it’s a great time to consider creating new family traditions and habits.

In terms of making giving a part of your family’s activities and ensuring that the value of helping others becomes part of your children’s lifestyles, here are few new new traditions and exercises to consider for this New Year. And if you have others, we’d love to hear about them! More

TAG Question of the Week

By now, everyone has turned in their list. Santa has his orders and he is now working to pull it all together to ensure that our little ones have a very merry day. Regardless of the occasion, whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, birthdays or other occasions requiring gifts, there is something magical about providing our children with the objects of their hearts’ desires. (Exemptions include such requests as an R.V., pet penguin or trip to Venus.)

And while they’re thrilled when they receive it, in many cases over time, the thrill dissipates and the items that were once the most wonderful, needed items on the earth can now be found at the back of the closet, under the seat in the car, midway through the toy box, or worse, dragged out into the yard by the dog and left in the rain. Or even sometimes, let’s be honest, that wonderful item that they opened 10 minutes ago has been forgotten as soon as they open the next. 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

TAG Question of the Week

When you hear the word ‘give,’ what images come to mind? For some, it might be financial giving – writing a check or putting money in the offering plate at church. For others, it might be donating gently used clothing, toys and household items that you no longer need but that others could still use.

But there’s more we can give than just money and things.

How about your time? Everyone is really busy these days, especially those with kids. But spending 30 minutes visiting with a lonely elderly neighbor or delivering a meal to family facing an illness can be more valuable to those in need than money.  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