By Kendra Ericson

    As the holiday season approaches, many of us find ourselves short on time and patience as we plow through store isles searching for that perfect gift or this year¹s elusive 'in' toy. Like the Tickle Me Elmos of the past, these 'gifts' can¹t be found around the holidays, except on eBay, where the bidding of frantic parents has skyrocketed the price well beyond the toy¹s value.

    But this kind of gift comes with an additional cost as the joy experienced in giving and receiving the present is short lived before the gift is put aside in favor of the next big thing. In addition, the time spent searching for the gift and preparing for a perfect holiday often leaves us little time to connect with loved ones in a meaningful way.

    Fortunately, amidst the chaos this yearly ritual inspires, a new tradition in gift giving is emerging as a welcome alternative to the love Œem and leave Œem phenomenon of fad toys. This new and yet very old trend focuses on the value of time over toys and the joy to be had in doing for others before ourselves.

    Like many other families, mine has worked to establish new traditions of giving that bring us together in the truest spirit of the holidays. When I met and fell in love with my husband, I inherited a second family who changed the way I viewed giving. My sister in law, I learned, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) as a small child, a genetic disease that affects the lungs, sinuses, and digestive system. Now, every year we unite to raise money for a cure --- a present that allows us time together and has the
potential to allow so many other families with this affliction the same chance. When we first met seven years ago, the average life expectancy for a child with CF was around nineteen, an age she has now passed by many years. This number makes us all keenly aware that every dollar spent on research and every year we have together is a greater gift than the clothes
or CDs that once occupied our wish lists.

    Along with this method of giving comes the desire to shower our children and loved ones with gifts from the heart and, while kids don¹t always appreciate grandma¹s hand-knitted lime-green sweater with the too long sleeves, there are many ways to give gifts that nurture our family¹s talents or interests. From enrolling in family scuba lessons to explore an underwater world together,
to taking Karate classes with your children, these inventive new gifts focus on unity and enriching the experiences of each family member. Does your child love to dance, draw, or swim? Why not sign him or her up for classes? Love the ocean... give back this holiday season by signing your family up for a day of beach cleanup with the Surf Rider Foundation to make the sand a
safer place to play.

    Above all else, time is often the greatest gift we offer our families, and usually the one thing we never have enough of. But making time for our children is essential to their development, and the gifts kids receive from these shared experiences permeate all areas of their lives to help them become more self-assured, creative, compassionate, and successful adults. Here are some tips on making holidays and everyday living more enriching for your kids:

Lose the boob tube ­ While families may watch together, few meaningful conversations have ever evolved from the scripted antics that make a pass at real-life representation. Try decorating, gift-wrapping, or even taking a stroll to look at the holiday lights together as a refreshing alternative to TV time.

Give back ­ This time of year is particularly difficult for less fortunate families, the homeless, and many elderly citizens without relatives. Try volunteering your family to help out at a soup kitchen, assist a local food bank in distributing the abundant food they take in around the holidays, or contact a local convalescent home to see if your family can provide some holiday decorations or entertainment for their residents.

Strike up a conversation ­ The holidays are a great opportunity to introduce your child to other cultures and religions. Talking to your kids about the holidays celebrated by other religions is a good way to help them develop greater social awareness and cultural tolerance. If you want to expand the conversation even further, try taking your child to another religion¹s place of worship, whether a church, temple, or mosque.

    As the holiday season closes in around us this year, give the gift of your time, laughter, and love to change the lives of your family members and those in your community. After all, the most valuable things we have to give usually come with sense of love and satisfaction instead of a price tag.

Happy Holidays.

For more information on ways to get kids involved visit: www.n-genious.com

Kendra Ericson has her Masters in Professional Writing (MPW) and is the
Center Director at N-GENioUS Learning Center.