My daughter (3) & I go through her toys a few times a year and decide wich toys she is ready to give to other children. We go together to a local women's shelter and she gives them the toys she has selected. I also take any leftover diapers, babyfood or any other household items they might need. I will also donate items that were given to us from other families. For example a freind went through her daughters' closet and gave us a few winter coats that they had outgrown. Rather than sell them at consignment I will give them to the shelter. If someone was kind enough to give it to me, then I will pay it forward by giving it to someone who really needs it. I consider that much more rewarding than making 5 bucks from a consignment sale!!

Love this idea. If we all taught our children to "pay it forward" the world would be a better place.

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You are right. This is the perfect age to teach our kids to be giving. Every Christmas I let my daughter pick out a few new gifts for a boy and a girl to donate to the Toys For Tots drive.

Last Christmas we went through her closet and gave many of her older toys to a low income family that has been very generous towards us that we met on Freecycle. They have given us so many items when they have so little (maternity clothes, baby swing, etc). We even threw in what was left of a bag of wrapping paper and tape

Jen

My kids think Santa won't come until they have gone through & given to kids who aren't as lucky as they are. I have always taught my kids they have to give something in order to receive something and that there are kids a lot less fortunate than they are.

Last year my 5 year old told me he didn't need anything after giving because his heart was so happy from making people smile. That was the best gift I got last year!

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