One of my daughter’s greatest joys is creating cards for her friends and selecting small gifts to share. She has a generous spirit, often eager to give away her belongings or save her allowance to buy a little something for her brother. Just the other day, while sorting through old toys, she expressed her desire to wrap up a toy car to give to a neighbor’s child. Rather than discourage her, I gathered some wrapping paper, and we found an old gift bag together. With great care, she wrapped the toy and we walked over to our neighbor’s house. The pride radiating from her face as she presented the gift was heartwarming; she relished the act of giving just as much as she enjoys receiving.
I strive to nurture a sense of generosity in my children. It’s not about extravagant presents but about understanding and appreciating those around us. We often gather stones during our walks to transform into gifts, choose special items for family members, pay for others at the donut shop, and donate food to local pantries. My goal is to model the importance of being thoughtful and giving; it’s part of our family identity.
Recently, many birthday invitations for my daughter have included the phrase “No gifts, please.” While I understand the intention behind this—wanting to avoid overwhelming children with more toys—I can’t help but question what message it sends about kindness. Shouldn’t children have the opportunity to express their affection for friends on their special day? Small gestures, such as making or selecting a gift, can be meaningful expressions of love.
Not long ago, my daughter’s best friend turned six, and her mother (a good friend of mine) requested no gifts. I understood her reasoning—she wanted to alleviate any pressure on guests. However, when I told my daughter that we wouldn’t be bringing a present, she was visibly upset, expressing how much she had been looking forward to gifting her friend. I didn’t want to dampen her enthusiasm, so I decided it was okay to bend the rule, knowing that her mother wouldn’t mind. My daughter was thrilled to purchase a small gift with her own money and create a birthday card, feeling excited about her simple gesture.
Since the party was quite intimate, our decision to bring a gift didn’t lead to any discomfort among the other children. If there had been more guests, I would have suggested giving the gift in private at a later time. The importance of allowing her to share her thoughtfulness outweighed any potential concern.
We’ve attended other celebrations where guests are encouraged to donate to a charity instead of bringing gifts. While I wholeheartedly support these initiatives and see their value, I still believe that a small token for the birthday child adds a personal touch. I want to encourage my daughter’s desire to give—whether it be a rock, a heartfelt card, or a small purchase.
So, I kindly ask that you allow my child to bring a gift to your birthday celebration. Similarly, I would love to share a seasonal arrangement with you during the holidays. The spirit of giving should not be restricted or defined by others, even if their intentions are good. We genuinely wish to show our appreciation and affection, and if we didn’t feel that way, we wouldn’t offer anything at all. In a world where many take, the sharing of time or thoughtful gifts should never be discouraged. Giving should come from the heart, spontaneously and sincerely.
For further insights on similar topics, you can check out this blog post about the importance of generosity in family life.
In summary, encouraging generosity in children is essential. Allowing them to express their love through small gifts reinforces the values of kindness and thoughtfulness. Birthdays should be a time for children to share their joy, and fostering a spirit of giving enriches their lives and those around them.