Today's guest editor, Cub Reporter Perry Bear, takes on a ticklish parenting dilemma. How do you teach children to give during a holiday focused on receiving?

today's message ...

Dear Countdown friends:

It's me, Perry Bear Ewer. I'm Miss Cynthia's teddy bear; you may also know me from my Web site for kids, Perry Bear's Fun Page

It can be very hard for children to think about others during the holiday season. Everywhere they go, people ask, "And what do you want for Christmas?"
We have to help children learn to give, not just receive. Miss Cynthia has some ideas in the essay below.

I have an idea, too. Unless you're Santa Claus, just change the holiday question! Not, "What do you want for Christmas?", but "What are you giving this year for Christmas?"

The answers will surprise you!

Your bear friend,
Perry Bear Ewer

to do today ...

Help children make a Child's Gift List, including both the gifts they hope to receive, and those they plan to give. Schedule a one-on-one Christmas shopping trip with each child.

to read today ...

Attention, parents! Read CEO's most requested essay:

"Gimme, Gimme" v. Doing Good: Teaching Children to Give

to print today ...

Child's Gift List

today's recipe ...

This pretty gift-in-a-jar is so good, you may want to keep it! White chocolate chips and macadamia nuts make it pretty, while free printable gift tags make it easy to create:

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie Mix in a Jar