Children and Giving: A Tommy Nelson Giveaway!

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

As you may know, one of my goals for this year’s 30-Day Giving Challenge was to encourage sponsors to partner with us to make a difference, and at the same time, bless our readers with some sweet prizes.

It was a new concept for the blogosphere, right in the midst of the “holiday gift guide” frenzy.  Thankfully, several generous sponsors saw our vision and we will indeed be offering giveaways all month long!

Our first sponsor is passionate about nurturing faith in our children.

Children by their very nature are not givers. My one year old does NOT like to share his precious trains with his older sisters. The girls are frequently bickering over the latest whatchamacallit or doodad.

In order for our kids to become givers, WE must model it for them. They watch everything we do and soak it up like little sponges.

Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it. ~ Proverbs 22:6

PhotobucketTommy Nelson has a new children’s book called The King’s Christmas List which teaches children that the greatest gift of all is the gift of giving through the precious story of a little girl named Emma.  Emma was invited to the King’s birthday party, but on the way she learns about giving to those less fortunate.

She wonders what the King will think of her coming without a gift. After meeting the King, Emma discovers she gave the King exactly what he wanted.

The book ends with an interactive featured that encourages families to go online and give their own birthday gifts to the King through notable charities like BloodWater Mission and World Vision.

We will be donating our copy of this beautiful book to a local charity.  You can preview the book here.

Tommy Nelson has also generously offered a $40 donation to the winning family’s charity of choice from the book’s website.

Enter to win a copy of The King’s Christmas List for your family to keep or share.:

  • Leave a comment below (required entry):  How do you teach your children to give? If you don’t have children, just leave a comment about giving in general. 🙂

If you are reading via email or in a reader, please click through to the post to enter.

For up to (2) Bonus Entries (leave a separate comment for each):

  • Subscribe via RSS or email, and/or become a “fan” of KingdomFirstMom on Facebook. If you’re already a subscriber (thank you!) simply leave a comment.
  • Like our fabulous sponsor Tommy Nelson on Facebook or Follow on Twitter.

This giveaway will end on Friday (11/5) at 9 PM EST. The winner will be drawn at random, and notified via email.

Disclosure:  I was provided with a copy of The King’s Christmas Gift to review and donate to my local charity.  As always, the opinions in this post are completely my own.

Be sure to visit the other bloggers hosting the 30-Day Giving Challenge as they are each giving away a copy of The King’s Christmas Gift:

Comments

  2. says

    Hi! I found your blog from the 30 Day Giving Challenge. We are enjoying participating. We sponsor a child in Haiti through Nehemiah Vision Ministries and were able to send another plastic shoebox full of goodies to her with our local mission team who are now there ministering. Thanks for sharing!
    RachelT´s last blog post ..30 Day Giving Challenge – Day 1

  3. says

    I just became a fan of Tommy Nelson on facebook and my kids will watch the videos about Joseph today because we just studied his story in our homeschool!

  4. marina says

    We’ve been teaching our daughter the importance of saving good clothes,toys and books to pass on to less fortunate children

  7. Susan says

    We try to teach our children to put others first, and giving to others before themselves. It is hard, but they enjoy giving too.

  12. Melissa says

    I try to teach my children that Christmas is about giving and sharing not getting…. it’s a hard concept for sure!

  14. Monica says

    Modeling is the best method for teaching giving; then helping the child(ren) to see the oportunities that are around. Just this week, my children are packing Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes. My children have been able to help donate food to our church food pantry. My 12 year old has helped his dad and men from our church build a wheelchair ramp at an elderly lady’s home. There are so many things that even children can do. It’s our job to encourage them on their way.

  15. CHRISTINA says

    I don’t have children … but i have a ton of nieces and nephews and they sure are quick to pick up what you do or say. I think the best way to teach anything is to lead by example!!!

  16. Jenna says

    Last November my son had just turned 1. We participated in your 30 Day Challange and did many things w/ him. We plan on doing it every year and including him more and more each year as he gets older. And his brother due in Feb. as well!

  17. Maria says

    Christmas is always me and my child since I have no family in the area I live. Once the presents are opened the rest of the day used to be spent watching movies and playing with the new toys for a while. Now instead of that routine we spend the the days before Christmas baking cookies and breads. Then we wrap them up Christmas Eve. Christmas morning after the gifts are unwrapped we drive around to local businesses that are open and randomly bring the employees a bag of goodies. You should see the smile on their faces as we say Merry Christmas. My child enjoys doing this and is really grasping the concept of giving. We also adopt a child from a local giving tree and my child picks out the toys for them.

  20. Elecia says

    My two daughters and myself are participating in the 30 Day challenge. I agree with you completely, children learn to be generous by witnessing the generousity of others.

  21. Jennifer C. says

    Certianly modelling it to my kids. As they are growing and sometimes earning a bit of $ on their own now, we have been teaching them to set aside first a portion for the Lord.

  24. Melissa B. says

    I have a 3 year old, as with every year we hope to give to our church’s food pantry and there Angel Tree program. We have already purchased toys at Target. We will let him choose from the tree three children to give presents too. Then we are going to have him help us take them to the food pantry.

    With this book we will have yet another gift to give to the food pantry. 🙂

  25. debbie f says

    We have the kids go through their stuff and donate to the christian thrift store. We also are involved in making stuff for the food pantry, collecting gloves and hats for the school and making Christmas cards for the nursing home residents.

  28. Rebecca Stover says

    When my children were young, instead of buying gifts for each other, we would go and get a tag for each of them off of a store’s “giving tree”. Each tag had the name of a child in need and what they wanted for Christmas. Now that my children are grown and have children of their own, they have carried on this tradition of giving.

  29. Laura says

    our child does extra jobs to earn money. We has 3 containers for his money. he puts money in giving first, saving next and spending last. This week on his payday he moved some of his money from spend into give!!

  31. danielle h says

    How do you teach your children to give?
    Model, model, model!!!! I include my daughter when I make food and deliver to church members. She has helped us with Operation Christmas Child boxes. We have taken her to a homeless shelter to play with the kiddos. She has helped us with community outreach projects. We walk in our city’s festival parade with our church and hand out water & candy together. She has even worked our church booth and helped put temporary tattoos on visiting children. We work very hard to show her the importance of giving and she has a very big heart!

  33. says

    At this point, my daughter is not quite a year old … so most of what I do is show by example. I look forward to having her pick out things to give to a book drive and doing the angel tree with her as well. This is her first Christmas and I am planning on giving her at least one gift that goes to a charity.

  36. sue a says

    I try to do small things with them. If they understand that giving is partially an attitude of seeing others and understanding that they are important too. I give a small treat to the kids that sit quietly while they wait for siblings who have a class ie:dance, tumbling etc. (just one example)

  38. Hilda T says

    Although my daughter only 3 years old, I taught her how to share by giving away all her things that she no longer use.
    It’s NOT easy for a 3 years to understand the concept especially if she really ‘likes’ the thing.
    It had been such a wonderful learning process NOT only for her but for the whole family. Sometimes, we tend to cling on to things that we like ‘very much’ when in fact we don’t even use it anymore.

  40. Karla says

    I think leading by example is the best way to teach our children and everyone around us to be givers. As a child, I never knew how much my parents were giving, but I was very aware that they were giving to church and other ministries on a regular basis.

  42. Lora Reynolds says

    I have them give food that I make to our neighbors and we also buy someone lunch in need and tell them what and why we do it. My son pointed a lady out in a bakery one day and she had a sample cup of coffee and was reading a bible from The Salvation Army. She looked like she had been through rough times and my son asked me, “Is that lady nice?” I said yes and bought an extra pastry and had my son give it to her on the way out. He asked why we did that and I explained to him why.

  44. Emily says

    This month our 1 1/2 year old is helping us pick toys, clothes and hygiene products to fill shoeboxes to send to needy children through Samaritan Purse’s Operation Christmas Child project. Although he does not yet understand exactly what we’re doing or where it’s going, we hope that it will plant a seed for when he is old enough to understand

  47. Mary B says

    We have 7 year old twins and they were born sharing the womb! They certainly have their moments of not sharing, but overall they do really well. I am currently working on teaching them it is better to give of your time than “things”. They care for and pray for the elderly at church, visit nursing homes and sing, and are really beginning to understand loneliness in the elderly. Warms my heart to see them grow in God!

  49. Karissa says

    We make cookies for neighbors. We are taking part in Operation christmas child. We are saving money for the CBC in India. My children (and myself) are far from perfect, but they get great joy in giving, and I pray it is something that will continue with each of them.

  54. says

    I teach my children to give by example. We don’t have a lot of money but we are generous with our time and help. We help out at school events as much as we can and even my 9 year old will volunteer his time. We help family and friends by picking something up at the store for someone who can’t go out, giving a ride, babysitting, pet-sitting and ask nothing in return. We can’t give a lot of physical things but I think these are just as important!

  55. says

    I like to take my kids with me to drop things off at the thrift store. Most of the time, we then go inside, and everyone can buy one item. I explain that we’ve given the store more to sell, and now we’ll also use our money to help their mission.

  57. nikki wilson says

    I try to teach my children to give by letting them know that every time they bring something new into our house they have to donate something. You bring in a toy, you donate one. Right now they are having to go through everything and let go of some items. We also do the angel tree and other various charities through out the year. We as Americans have entirely too much stuff and I think we need to put our focus elsewhere.

  59. Patti says

    We have an envelope system that they put money they recieve in. We also try to set an example for our children by taking them along with us when we volunteer in the community. They especially enjoy going to the soup kitchen to serve others.

  61. Jenifer says

    I don’t have children, but my goal with the challenge is to model giving because of the love of Christ–the ultimate gift. I hope to be able to share with others the Gospel of Christ Jesus because of my giving. There’s no better reason to give!

  63. Tammie D says

    I teach my children to give by having them go thru their things (whether it is clothes for my 13 yr old or toys for my 7 yr old) and finding what they have not worn or played with in the last month and we put it all into a bag and donate it either to a place here on our military post (we are a military family) that gives back to other military families in need or we take and donate to a family shelter or Goodwill. At first it was hard to get them to give up anything, so my husband and I showed that we were willing to do the exact same thing. We led by example and now they remind us that it is time to “cleanse” our closets each month and to give to those in need.

  65. Katie says

    I teach my children to give by leading them through examples. We give to charity, lend a helping hand to a friend in need, work together as a family.

  68. says

    Our children love to give to others. We give their outgrown toys and clothes to a shelter our pediatrician supports. Every time we visit her office, we take at least one bag on donations with us.
    Karen´s last blog post ..Meet Me Monday

  69. Lorrie says

    We have three boys, 17, 13, & 5. We show giving by tithing…but the way we also show our hearts for others is by giving to our local assistance program called Promises, giving to the homeless (which I see everyday on my way to work), giving to other friends and families in need. My 13 year old gave his lunch to a homeless person today. What a heart for others he has. My boys give their time by working on local missions and going on mission trips to help communities throughout the country.

  72. Lissette Romero says

    I try to teach my son about giving by making it a habit to set toys aside for the “kids who dont have” whenever he gets a new one.

  75. Chris says

    Our children prepare shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. We give to missions through our church. We also just look for needs of others and encourage our children to give from what they have.

  76. Mindi says

    I try to teach them by being a good role model for them. I let them help me go through there toys and clothes to give to someone in need.

  77. says

    I teach them what teh Bible says. Just yesterday we were going through the Gospel for Asia Christmas catalog, and t alking about how rich we are in comparison and how the Lord calls us to share with those who do not have.
    angel´s last blog post ..Love is Faithful

  79. Steph S says

    I teach them by modeling giving myself. Our family gives to those in need and we involve our children in the process so they can see the joy that being generous with others brings.

  81. Jenny says

    We try to teach our kids to give by participating in Operation Christmas Child with Samaritan’s purse each year. We also donate food to our local food pantry and participate in other opportunities that they have.

  82. says

    I think it’s important to be ready to give at random times. For instance, we make sure we keep some food in the car to hand out to the homeless we see on our drives in and out of the city. Even if it’s just a baguette of bread, it’s something.
    Kalee´s last blog post ..Simple Cheap Comfort Food

  85. says

    WE do our best to instill in the kids that giving is so much better than receiving…but also understanding a child’s desire to get. We do Operation Christmas Child, we give when we pass the kettles at Christmas, we try to do the save, spend, tithe routine, we talk about giving and try do do as many donations that cross our paths as possible.
    Donna´s last blog post ..Halloween 2010

  87. Katy says

    By doing it myself. Giving my time to help others, showing them that giving isn’t just for the poor.

  89. Melissa says

    I encourage my Sunday School children to look around them for needs- not just with money, but with time.

  91. Vanessa says

    Teaching our kids to give is so important. I believe by first being an example of giving it will become contagious in our homes.

  92. Rebecca says

    We teach our children to give tithes and offerings first out of their allowances or gift money. We donate to food pantries, to the nursing home and our time to the nursing home as well. We give clothes to those in need, toys to others. We look for opportunities to give. Thanks for the giveaway.

  95. Rachel says

    The biggest area we’re working on w/ our toddler is sharing!! Helping him realize that there is joy in letting others play with what is special to you!

  99. katie says

    I teach my child to give by modeling what giving looks like. We give of our time to others. We also give things and money.

  103. joanna says

    we don’t have children, but i think it’s important to show by example just how much of a blessing it can be to give

  106. Brandi says

    I instill the act of giving in my children by example. I always try to give cheerfully and with an open heart. I also teach them that money isn’t the only way you can give. We pick up garbage on our walks/outings. We bake extra meals for a sick neighbor or family at church. We volunteer our time at local charities as often as possible. Even a conversation can be a gift for someone who is lonely.

    I subscribed to your blog and like Tommy Nelson on Facebook. Thank You!

  107. Hope L says

    Our kids have volunteered at our church’s food pantry since they were walking. In fact, my 6 year old son’s 3rd birthday party was a food pantry party where he collected over 50 cans of food!

  109. Sara Kohlmeier says

    When our children were young, we always made some kind of project or ornament during Advent that we gave to people for Christmas. We also taught our children to give of their time and talents to help others whenever a need arose.

  111. Cindy says

    When ever they get money it is split save, spend , give – also each year we pick a name from an angel tree and shop together – last year my middle child and I also wrapped gifts for a local toy’s for tots – and for as long as I can remember she has given to every red kettle she sees, her younger brother now follows suit

  112. Vicki Hornsby says

    The way to teach your children about Jesus and sharing is by living your life in the way that you want your children to be.
    A young child is so pliable, we make them into what they become at an early age. So, reading Bible stories, having them donate used and new toys to charities, let them place money in the offering plate. Children do not forget what they are taught. They may get off track, but they never forget the teachings of thier parents and family.

  116. marina says

    (can’t see my primary mandatory comment so reposting)

    We’ve been teaching my 4 yr old that we don’t just throw out the clothes she outgrows, but we save them to pass on to someone who can use the same. The same with her toys, games and books. Our project during the 30 day giving challenge is to give these to the Salvation Army store

  119. Debbie says

    We try and model it for our son, and explain to him what we are doing. Today we were shopping for warm clothes to donate to our local elementary school and he was helping me pick out clothes he thought the kids would like.

  124. maria says

    I teach my nieces and nephews to give by having them write letters to a friend who’s incarcerated or sending encouraging notes to people who are hurting.

  125. Chandra says

    We teach them to help others by talking to them about the right and wrong way to interact with others.

  128. Jackie says

    We model giving through our church giving and by sponsoring children through World Vision. At Christmas we usually do something like Angel Tree and taking blankets to a homeless shelter. Volunteering is another way we teach our children to give.

  129. Bonnie says

    I don’t have children but my sister has been making handmade gifts with her two sons. It is neat to see them learning to give meaningful gifts.

  130. says

    We try to teach our children to give in a variety of ways. We do give them offering money for church on Sunday but we also talk about those that have needs (not just monetary ones). We will clean out their closets and donate clothes. We will make dinners to take to another family to help out. My husband went on a mission trip to Ghana and we talk alot about the kids he met and the needs they have and what we can do to help.

  131. says

    I am still trying to learn how to teach my 4 year old about giving so I appreciate all the ideas and this book! We have been supporting children in Africa through World Vision for about 15 years, so yesterday I pulled out our child’s picture and put it on the fridge. I told her that we help give him the things that he needs by sending money to World Vision and now we remember to pray for him each night. Now we just have to think of ways to make giving a practical thing in her mind!

  133. Bonita says

    We give through Operation Christmas Child, going to the Rescue Mission to prepare vegetables for the poor, and going to nursing homes . Thank you for this challenge. It helps me and also my children.

  134. says

    Christmas has always been the best teaching time for us. The Salvation Army bell ringers stand out most. Even when I have given at several locations – my kids would be horrified if we passed one up. No matter how much or little I always gave them something to put in the pot.
    Diane Rice´s last blog post ..Pumpkin Roll

  137. Trisha Lynn says

    I teach her by leading! If I do it she will do it and I talk with her why we are giving and how the outcome of whteverit is, be it food or toys or clothes, is going to change someone!

  140. Raeleen says

    We also do the “give, save, spend” jars. This has been a very good thing for my kids monetarily. We also have the kids as our neighbors if there is something they can do to help – hopefully no money is involved here, just a sharing of their time.

  141. Robin L says

    My daughter is only 1 but starting next year I plan to have her go through all her toys at least twice a year to identify items that she can donate to needy children.

  143. Carrie says

    I try to teach my Girl Scouts to give to others by having them make things to donate places and show them how many things they have that others don’t.

  146. says

    We really just try to teach by example, we talk a lot about how fortunate we are and how people are hurting and we show there is joy in giving.

  147. says

    I teach my children to give by letting them participate in our outreaches at church. My husband is a Pastor, so we’ve always made it a point to include our children in outreaches (even when they were little!) so that they could grow up seeing us give and grow up giving!

  149. Kelly D. says

    I teach my children to give by my own example. We give in church. We try to help family/friends/the community whenever we can, or we’re needed. We consign everything, and whatever doesn’t sell the 1st go-around, goes to charity. Thanks for the chance!
    Kelly D. ~ dkad23(at)gmail(dot)com

  150. Kelly D. says

    I’m an email subscriber and a facebook fan. (Kelly Deaton)
    Kelly D. ~ dkad23(at)gmail(dot)com

  151. Kelly D. says

    I like Tommy Nelson on facebook (Kelly Deaton) and follow on twitter (@dkad23).
    Kelly D. ~ dkad23(at)gmail(dot)com

  152. says

    Would love to win a copy!

    I have always encouraged my children from the time they were young to be givers. The main way that I have encouraged this is by making them attentive to ALL the blessings that God gives us!!! When you have a grateful heart; it is EASY to give to others!!!

  153. Lindsay says

    I teach them to give by example. We do lots of things together to help other people. Last year we made Christmas ornaments and hand delivered them to nursing home residents. What cheer when they saw the smiles of little children!

  156. says

    I just try to set a good example. We’re members of Freecycle.org and we regularly go through our things to see what we’re not using, that might be “in a better home” if we gave it away.

  161. Brooke says

    We are working on giving as a lifestyle with our entire family. Sometimes it’s easier than others to share our “favorites” but I think they are starting to see that it makes them feel wonderful to share. We went on our OCC shopping trip today and they were giddy with the gifts that they got for their child. 😉

  162. Brooke says

    I am a fan/subscriber of yours…. thank you for the 30 day Challenge. I am LOVING finding ways to give! 🙂

  163. Brooke says

    I “liked” Tommy Nelson on FB…. the link above wasn’t working just as an FYI 🙂 Thanks for the extra entries, this book sounds WONDERFUL!