Holiday Gifts for Your Kids that Don't Require Unwrapping

There are many gifts that your child can unwrap during the holidays but there other gifts that don't require unwrapping you can give your child. Why not give them some gifts that they can expand and use in their lives all year long.

First, teach them about the gift of charity. Collect all those charity solicitations you get in the put them in a big bag. Then have your child pick a charity and then mail them a donation in your child's name. Also, have your child go to the post office with you and pick out a dear Santa letter so you mail a gift to a disadvantaged kid. Each holiday season have your child go with to the shelter and bring unwanted toys and clothes to them. Also, if you are not cooking for the holiday volunteer with your child to serve a Christmas meal to the homeless. If you are Jewish there many organization that ask people to help deliver Hanukah packages. You can even volunteer at the many Senior Center who need help for hosting of their holiday parties.

Next, if your kid is especially good at reading and writing encourages your child to tutor other kids so they can become as good as them in that subject.

If you love to cook teach your child this essential life skill. You will be teaching your kids reading and math skills while you are having fun. You can even read with your child some of the famous chef's biographies. Julia Child and Paula Dean both have great recipes and life advice that can inspire your kid. When you are cooking you try new ethic dishes and then research and this country culture and food. Let your dinners be a cultural as well a devious experience. For example, tell your kid that it wasn't he Italians who discovered their favorite dish of pasta but rather the Asians. Tell them that Soul Food was started because of the scraps of food thrown out by slave owners that they thought was no good.

Next, give your child the gift of reading. Read to your child each night and also read in front of your child. Show your child how important reading is in your daily life. Show your child that the family can enjoy reading a good book as well as a good television show. If you do happen to watch a show get your child a book based on that show's topic so you can further discuss and expand on what you watched. For example. If you watch a World War Two Show gets your child a book about William Churchill.

If you give your child an art book or a biography of a painter, then use this as an opportunity to visit the museum where that painter's work is displayed.

Also, take walks around your city and show your kid some of the city's great landmarks. This is a great way for your child to learn about history of the city and their influences. Also, many hotels have art work and beautiful lobby too. Also, there are many hotels still standing today that are representations of past eras. In the South you find many hotels that represent Old Southern living and decorations. Let your child see how things have changed by looking inside these great hotel sites of the Old South past.

Start your child cultural education early. Give them the gift of your time and advice. These gifts are worth more then any toy.