by Holly Russell

Created on: August 15, 2009

In all things young children take their cue from their parents. If you desire to have children who have a love for the holidays beyond their sugar highs and massive pile of presents, then it begins with your attitude and actions through the entire Christmas period. If your focus is on the shopping and presents and food, then the depth of their appreciation will be similar.

A tradition requires repetition and importance within your family. These are the things we talk about and look forward to when we think of Christmas. The baking, tree trimming, writing to Santa, Grandma's special eggnog and the favorite stories we read.

To minimize the consumerism within your family try and keep an others-focused attitude. In all aspects of preparing for Christmas find ways to serve others and incorporate these into your most significant traditions. I have listed several ways to achieve this goal.

1) Bake extra Christmas goodies and share them with the less fortunate. For this to be effective, please ask your kids who they want to include. Suggest the local nursing home, childrens hospital ward, homeless shelter, or whatever, but let them be a part in the baking and taking. You might be surprised what places they suggest.

2) If lights and decorations are an important part of your Christmas atmosphere, then consider doing some for an elderly neighbor, or friend. Sneak around to their place and put a string of lights in their yard or help your kids make some decorations to string around their home or nursing home. If it is something that brings a smile to you and your family, it will do the same for others.

3) Choose a couple of charities to support, and involve your children in the shopping. I am big supporter of Operation Christmas Child otherwise known as the "Shoe Box Ministry" where you fill a shoebox with 7 different appropriate items for a less fortunate child. Let each one of your children think through and select items for their shoe box. Take them to the grocery store with you as you select items for a holiday hamper. Supporting many good works is always important, but if you don't include your children then you miss a valuable opportunity to teach them about the values you hold dear.

4) Caroling used to be a part of many communities. As our society has stopped interacting with neighbors we have stopped activities that involve others. At the same time many churches and community organizations still host caroling parties each year. Consider participating

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