Adopt a Child or Family for the Holidays
"Adopting” or sponsoring a disadvantaged child or family for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, or another holiday your family celebrates can inspire a sense of giving in your children.
If you are looking to receive help this holiday season, start with the resources below in our How to Receive section. Doing Good Together does not provide direct services.
How to give
Follow the instructions below to support a low-income child or family without enough resources to have gifts for the holidays.
What you’ll need
A list of gift options for the child or family you’re sponsoring.
Cost can vary greatly on some projects depending on the way you approach them. Consider asking friends and neighbors to sponsor your effort if you get excited about a project that may be out of your price range. You might end up with a big-hearted community at your side!
The courage to face a shopping expedition with your children!
Instructions to adopt a family
Contact your local Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, or Salvation Army or visit volunteermatch.org to be matched with your recipient(s), ideally similar in age to your own children.
After you learn the specifics about your recipient(s) (age, gender, etc.), brainstorm gift ideas with your family. If the organization gave you a list of requested gift items, consider that, too.
Pick your destination and go shopping.
Wrap the gifts and attach recipient names to each.
Drop them off at the designated spot.
Shop Kind Gift Ideas
Resources: Books to read together
Browse our unique collection of big-hearted books to celebrate the winter holidays. Great for gifting or getting into the holiday spirit!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (Random House, 1957). A timeless tale about what Christmas is really about.
The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving by Stan and Jan Berenstain (Zonderkidz, 2010). Ages 4 and up. Brother and Sister Bear are eager to receive their Christmas presents. But during the Christmas pageant, they learn a valuable lesson about generosity.
Browse our growing collection of big-hearted picture books inspiring kindness over the winter holidays.
Reflection Questions
What would it feel like to receive holiday gifts from a stranger instead of family and friends?
What would your holiday be like if you didn’t receive any presents?
What are other ways you can help cheer up families in need over the holidays?
Does giving in this way make you look at your own holiday gifts in a different way? How or why not?
How to receive
Call 2-1-1, the human services hotline servicing most of the United States.
Contact your local Toys for Tots, Lutheran Social Services, or Salvation Army to see if they offer an adopt a family program in your area.
Take it further
If you enjoyed this project, you can sponsor a family year ’round through the Box Project or Family to Family.
If you’d like to purchase gifts for more children, take part in Toys for Tots.
Still looking?
Check out these other great ways to provide comfort throughout the year!
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The recommendations we offer are based solely on our mission to empower parents to raise children who care and contribute.