You often hear people complaining that children are getting terribly spoiled and we’re all a little guilty of over indulging the little ones in our lives – particularly at this time of year.
But it isn’t the number of presents a child is given that turns them into a bratty nightmare. As long as children appreciate what they’ve been given and don’t expect to receive everything they want, then there are usually few problems.
When I was a child, after lunch on Christmas Day we would be taken to the local children’s home, where we would hand out presents and chocolates we had made.
It made us realise how lucky we were to have parents who were able to look after us and give us a lovely Christmas.
When Sophie left home she continued to ensure Christmas had a charitable element. One year she worked in a soup kitchen on Christmas Day and another she spent the whole of the festive holiday working for a clean water project in Africa.
Children are never too young to be set an example and, naturally open and generous, they love to get involved in helping others.
So, when they write their letters to Father Christmas, it is really nice to encourage them to remember a child less fortunate.