The holidays are a wonderful time to do a family check-in and prepare your hearts and homes for Jesus. Do you have room in your heart for Christ? Do you make time for Him? 

Advent is a season of giving and hope, making it an ideal time for families to practice charity by sharing Christ’s love with others. Here are some meaningful ways parents can teach charity during Advent:

• Donate care packages. Call homeless shelters to see what items are most needed during the winter season (e.g., socks, toiletries, and gloves). Organize a family outing to purchase them. Prepare the care packages and, together, bring them to the shelter.
• Volunteer at the parish. Offer to help parish staff by setting up decorations, organizing events, or assisting with Advent services.
• Write cards for the sick and homebound of your parish. Create homemade Christmas cards for nursing home residents, hospital patients, or parishioners unable to leave their homes. 
• Give the gift of presence. Visit a nursing home or assisted living facility to spend time with residents. Encourage children to sing Christmas carols or read short stories to residents during the visit.
• Pray for those in need. Create a family prayer list during Advent, praying for people in need. Add those mentioned during Mass.
• Teach children the value of giving. Encourage children to donate unused toys or clothes to those in need. Place a “sacrifice jar” in a prominent spot, encouraging everyone to put in coins whenever they make a small sacrifice. Donate proceeds at Christmas Mass.