My Focus on Family Life and Parenting

Presents of Mind

In this season of good cheer, children may ask you to help them give unto others.  Here are some tips to guide their gift-giving:

Ages 4 to 8:  Artwork or homemade cookies (made with Mom’s help, of course) are great gifts.  If your youngster insists on buying presents, limit the list to immediate family members and stick to inexpensive items, advises Judith Briles, author of Smart-Money Moves for Kids.

Ages 8 to 12:  Try giving tweens a gift allowance that’s separate from their weekly one, suggests Adriane Berg, co-author of The Totally Awesome Money Book for Kids.  But give them a budget that’s not frustratingly small—choosing a gift for $10, say, won’t be as tough as finding one for $5.  Or consider a donation to a relative’s charity of choice or gift certificates for the movies or their favorite fast-food chain.

Teens:  Once your child starts making his own money, whether from a paper route or after-school job, you might want to halt that extra handout.  If so, be prepared to “have him make his own judgments and test his generosity,” – Jennifer Hoppe