Dad, do you want to know one the best gifts you can give your kids for Christmas—beyond the presents you wrap and place under the tree? Since the material gifts are likely already purchased and wrapped, let’s talk a bit about a truly lasting gift you can give your children:
The gift of yourself.
It’s all about time together—you being available to them, giving them your full attention, and making some great memories with your kids. Need some suggestions?
One great idea comes from a dad named Richard. Every year he gives a special “dad gift” to each of his two children. It’s like a gift certificate, and it’s the same every year, but it’s also different every time. He calls it Day with Dad.
Each of his kids gets one day with dad to do whatever he or she wants to do. They choose where to eat and the activities—it’s truly their day with dad. They do fun things and they have their dad all to themselves.
Richard says that if you came back later in the year and asked his kids what toys or gadgets they got under the tree, they probably wouldn’t be able to tell you. But they could absolutely talk about every place they visited during their Day with Dad.
That’s the kind of gift that money can’t buy.
Another idea falls into the same category. It’s still about giving of yourself, but it’s about refocusing your routine and your demeanor during the holidays. If you need to work some days here and there, that’s fine. Maybe you can leave or log off a little early. But once you get home, leave the computer off and set aside those odd jobs. Just enjoy your family!
Maybe you can sit around the tree one evening and just talk together. Ask your kids …
- “What’s your favorite gift you’ve ever received?”
- “What’s the best gift you’ve given someone else?”
- “Besides opening gifts, what’s your favorite thing about Christmas?”
- “What would a perfect Christmas Eve or Christmas Day look like for you?”
Then, resist the temptation to run off and do something else. Just stay there and enjoy one of God’s greatest gifts—your family.
Merry Christmas from all of us at the National Center for Fathering.
We want to hear from you. Are there unique ways you’ve “given yourself” to your kids at Christmas? Please share your ideas with other dads by leaving a comment on our Facebook page.
