It’s the time of year where my son’s face lights up when we talk about Santa and all the gifts he might leave for my little man to discover on Christmas morning. Not to mention the overload of presents from family and friends. Christmas is magical and I love seeing the joy on my son’s face. However, he will get a ridiculous amount of gifts. I will be tearing my hair out working out where to put it all, whilst he runs around trying to work out which new toy to play with next! He’s a very lucky boy but Christmas is not just about getting presents, which is why I think it’s important to be teaching children charity at Christmas.

Teaching Children Charity at Christmas

Talking about children in need can be a tough conversation to have with a little one. I don’t want to scare my son, he’s only three, but at the same time I want him to grow up with compassion, empathy, charity and gratitude. He’s already an incredibly sensitive boy and I’m so proud of how kind he is. This is something I want to encourage and develop, so what better time of year to teach him about charity than at Christmas, when it can be easy to take things for granted when we are given so much.

Love in a Shoe Box

That’s why this year we have decided to take part in the ‘Love in a box’ donation for the charity Mustard Seed Relief Mission. This initiative has been running for 10 years.

People are asked to fill up shoe boxes with gifts for an under privileged child. The box can include toys, treats and most heartbreakingly of all essential everyday items such as a toothbrush, toothpaste and flannel.

It has meant I can get my three year old son involved in the charity, choosing items for a child his age and understanding that the gifts are not for him but for a poor child who needs our help as they won’t otherwise have anything for Christmas. Although my son is only three, he has been really sweet talking about gifts for the other boy and hopefully this can be a Christmas family tradition we can carry out year after year.

Our Love in a shoe box

Who is our shoe box for?

We chose to put together a shoe box for a boy in the age category 3-5 years of age.

What’s in our shoe box?

• Hat and Gloves from Peacocks
• Scarf, knitted by my mum
• Toothbrush and toothpaste from Boots
• Soap and flannel from SuperDrug
• Chad Valley Car for Sainsburys
• Crayola crayons from Amazon (Affiliate link – any commission from this will be donated to charity)
• 3D stickers from Amazon (Affiliate link – any commission from this will be donated to charity)
• Rowntree sweets from Aldi
• Chocolate Coins from Superdrug
• Chocolate lolly from Sainsburys
• Soft toy, notebook, monster pencil case, small etcher sketch and activity books
• Kids small tote bag with felt tip pens to colour in from the Work

Wrapping the box

We wrapped the box with Christmas paper and lined the box with tissue paper (with some help from our 4 month old kitten). You can’t wrap the presents as these obviously need to be checked by the charity before sending out. We included a £4 donation as requested by the charity to go towards the delivery of the shoe boxes.

It breaks my heart to think there are children in the world who have so little and I hope our Christmas shoe box brings an under privileged child some happiness. I am so grateful for all that we have and for my beautiful son who loved putting the Christmas shoe box together. I hope this tradition will become something we look forward to doing together every year at Christmas.

Top charities to support at Christmas with your kids

Do you want to teach your children charity at Christmas?

If so choose a charitable cause your children can relate to so that it resonates with them. It’s better if it’s something they can get involved with rather than just making a financial donation as it will have more of an impact and help them understand what you are doing together and why you are doing it. Here are a few suggestions:

Love in a box

Love in a box is an initiative by Mustard Seed Relief Mission, a charity based in Eastbourne, who last year delivered 30,000 shoe boxes to under privileged children.

The Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal

The Salvation Army are running a Christmas Present Appeal up until mid-December. You can drop your donation off at your local Salvation Army Centre.

Adopt an Animal

If your kids love animals, why not adopt an animal at Christmas. Either as a gift or as a family project. The Wildlife Trusts and WWF both offer adoption packages.

Stripey Stork

You can buy a present for families in need. Stripey Stork is based in Surrey but you can always order from their Amazon wish list. Alternatively look for a local charity for families in need near you.

Food Bank

You can donate essential items to your local food bank as well as some gifts for Christmas. Stuffing, cranberry sauce and toiletries are always appreciated this time of year plus maybe a soft toy for kids. You can check with your local food bank to see if there’s anything in particular they’re looking for.

Animal Centres

Visit your local animal centre and donate blankets, toys and food. Just be careful you don’t come back with an extra furry family member!

Donate items to your favourite Charity Shop

Donate some unwanted toys and clothes. Ask your kids to go through their things to see if there’s anything they would like to donate to help people in need. That way you can also clear some space ready for all the new toys they’re going to receive at Christmas!

Go Charity Shop Christmas Shopping with your kids

I love a good charity shop haul and have managed to buy some amazing bargains. By shopping in charity shops you are both donating to charity and also avoid buying new and creating more landfill.

This year I managed to buy a brand new set of 4 Royal Worcester small wine glasses in the box for just £5.99 from the British Heart Foundation. My 2019 Christmas Charity Shop Haul video will be published on my YouTube channel soon so amke sure you subscribe to my channel so you son’t miss it. In the meantime have a look at last years Christmas Charity Shop Haul Vide below:

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