At Selfctrl, our mission is to help families build self-control around screen time and video gaming, equipping them to redeem their time for meaningful work. As we navigate a digital world filled with distractions, we also encourage families to approach the holiday season with the same intentionality.

The holidays are a prime example of how easily our attention can be pulled in countless directions—Black Friday sales, Cyber Monday deals, and Giving Tuesday appeals can leave us feeling overwhelmed. But what if this season became an opportunity to model gratitude, generosity, and Christ-centered living for our families?

Here are three creative and practical ways to guide your family toward a more intentional and joyful approach to generosity this holiday season.

1. Host a Family Giving Conversation

Generosity starts with the heart, and there’s no better way to nurture that than through open and thoughtful conversation.

As Giving Tuesday appeals or year-end fundraising emails roll in, set aside time with your family to reflect on the causes that matter most. Print out information about a few organizations, set a “budget” for each family member (real or pretend), and ask everyone to share where they’d like to give and why.

This practice sparks meaningful conversations, allows you to share the biblical foundation for generosity, and helps children see giving as a joyful response to God’s goodness. Proverbs 14:31 reminds us, “Whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”

2. Replace a Deal with a Donation

The holiday shopping season is filled with opportunities to save big, from Black Friday to Cyber Monday. But those savings can also become opportunities for generosity.

For every great deal you snag, consider setting aside a portion of what you saved and donating it to a cause that aligns with your family’s values. Discuss the impact your gift could have, and pray together about how God might use it.

This simple act shifts our focus from accumulation to compassion, teaching children that generosity is not about sacrifice but about the joy of sharing what God has entrusted to us.

3. Set a Family Service Goal

Generosity goes beyond financial gifts. It’s about giving our time, energy, and love to bless others.

Together as a family, set a goal to serve others in a tangible way during the holiday season. Volunteer at a local charity, write notes of encouragement or pray for specific needs in your community. Proverbs 31:8-9 encourages us to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves… defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

These acts of service demonstrate to your family that generosity is about offering our whole selves for God’s glory.

Living Out Generosity with Intention

The holiday season provides a unique opportunity to model gratitude and generosity for our families. While the world around us may emphasize buying and consuming, we can reclaim this time to focus on what truly matters: loving God and serving others.

By starting conversations, redirecting our resources, and serving with purpose, we can transform this season into one filled with joy and meaning. Generosity isn’t just about what we give; it’s about how we live.

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