One thing we do is build a gingerbread house and this stretches over a number of days, and there are a lot of different tasks that everyone can get involved in. We've been doing this for about 10 years and we started small with graham cracker houses and we've gotten more elaborate as our kids have gotten older. But that's something that has the potential to stretch over a number of days and be something that kids really get involved in and have a lot of fun with. Parents can also help their children make presents instead of buying them. Instead of buying expensive gifts, they can be involved before Christmas in making gifts, particularly food-type gifts.
Kids really enjoy that.
I'm sure there are lots of things that kids can make to give away instead of having to ask for money to buy gifts for friends and relatives. Another idea is to just involve them in the holiday decorating that's being done, like selecting the tree, decorating the tree and even making ornaments for the tree. We always used to make cookie ornaments for the tree, gingerbread people that we would decorate or stars or bells, and that was a nice project that contributed to the tree looking nice. I think it's important to involve kids in the giving at Christmas, not just thinking about what they're going to get. For example, going to a local organization like a food pantry to help make up holiday baskets or helping to select toys for other children.