There’s something truly special about the energy, excitement, and break from routine that comes with a holiday. However, the planning, chores, and often unrealistic expectations can be overwhelming. So when my eldest son, Noah, proposed the idea of establishing a new family holiday called Giving Day, I felt a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
Noah’s concept for Giving Day was simple: we would draw names, exchange small gifts, spend quality time together, and then, as he put it, “carry on with our normal day.” Initially, I was taken aback and intrigued. “Where did you come up with this idea?” I asked. “I just thought it would be fun,” he replied. While I appreciated his enthusiasm for generosity, I worried that this holiday might devolve into More Stuff to Deal With Day or Gimme Day.
As someone who leans toward minimalism, I aim to declutter and simplify my life. The last thing I needed was another holiday centered around material possessions. Plus, my husband and I were already balancing numerous responsibilities and I didn’t want to add to that.
Despite my reservations, Noah’s excitement was infectious. We discussed how Giving Day could emphasize both giving and togetherness. “What if we also gave to people outside our family?” I suggested tentatively. “Yeah,” he agreed, his eyes lighting up. “We could bake cookies for our neighbors or do something nice for someone else.”
After brainstorming various ways to incorporate generosity beyond our family, we also talked about the logistics and financial implications. I wanted to ensure Noah understood that gifts don’t have to come with a hefty price tag. “What if we made our gifts or just bought small ones for each other?” he proposed. “Sounds good. And you boys will be using your own money?” “I can use mine, but Teddy might need some help since he doesn’t really have any,” he pragmatically noted.
With plans in place, Noah boldly marked “GIVING DAY” on the calendar for the next free weekend. A few days before the event, we drew names to determine who would give gifts to whom. After exchanging gifts, we decided to bake cookies for our neighbors. The boys eagerly sought my assistance with their gift ideas.
When Giving Day arrived, I was cautiously optimistic—perhaps too optimistic, raising the risk for disappointment. After a calm start, we exchanged gifts. Noah gifted me a beautiful journal; I presented my husband with a bag of spicy almonds; Noah gave our younger son, Teddy, an Iron Man mask; and Teddy gifted Noah a quirky wind-up hopping eyeball he found at a garage sale. I captured several joyful moments on camera, but before long, the day began to unravel.
What started as Giving Day quickly morphed into Sibling Rivalry Day, followed by I Want Yours Day, ultimately escalating into Yelling Day and Go to Your Room Day. We did manage to rally and bake cookies for our neighbors, but the mood was dampened by the pouring rain.
In many ways, that inaugural Giving Day fell short of my expectations. There were more tears and arguments than I had hoped for, and less selflessness and gratitude. Yet, there were also heartwarming moments. The delighted voice of the little girl next door thanking us for the cookies was a highlight. The boys decided to create handmade gifts for next year’s Giving Day. That evening, I reflected in the journal Noah had chosen for me.
We recently celebrated our second Giving Day, and true to form, it didn’t unfold as planned. Due to a broken water heater, my husband couldn’t join us for a food packing activity at Feed My Starving Children. Five-year-old Teddy cried when Noah presented him with a picture and “gift certificate” he had made—because it didn’t feature the Carolina Panthers, his favorite team at the time. And yes, five-year-olds have their moments.
Nonetheless, I eagerly anticipate the next Giving Day. Like most family traditions, the day is a blend of chaos and joy, love and frustration. There may be disappointments and tears, but there’s also togetherness, forgiveness, and a generous spirit. Isn’t that what we aim to instill in our children? Interestingly, it’s often our children who teach us the most valuable lessons in giving.
If you’re interested in family bonding and parenting support, you might also explore resources on recognizing stress in toddlers and effective coping strategies here. For more on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource here. You can also learn about the essentials for at-home insemination here.
In summary, while Giving Day may not have gone as planned, it highlighted the importance of family, love, and the lessons learned through imperfect moments together.