Beyond Gifts: Building Character in Students During the Holidays

The holiday season offers a natural opportunity for school counselors to guide students in developing character traits that go far beyond decorations and presents. By emphasizing generosity, kindness, inclusivity, and forgiveness, counselors can help students focus on meaningful connections, relationships, and personal growth.

Creating a Positive, Relationship-Focused Environment

Counselors play a key role in shifting the focus from material things to relationships. Instead of highlighting what students receive, create opportunities to celebrate shared experiences, acts of giving, and community building. This can be done by organizing classroom activities that focus on appreciation, service projects, and storytelling that highlight values. When students see the holidays as a time for caring for others and building stronger relationships, the season becomes more inclusive and enriching for everyone.

4 Key Character Traits and Their Benefits

1. Generosity

• Why It’s Needed: In a consumer-driven world, generosity helps students learn that joy comes from giving, not just receiving.

• Benefit: Builds empathy, reduces self-centeredness, and fosters gratitude.

• Activity Idea: Create a “Generosity Chain” where each student writes or draws one way they gave to others (time, help, encouragement). Link them together to decorate the classroom.

2. Kindness

• Why It’s Needed: Acts of kindness create a ripple effect in schools and communities, countering negativity and stress.

• Benefit: Promotes emotional well-being, reduces conflict, and strengthens peer relationships.

• Activity Idea: Hold a “Kindness Countdown to Winter Break,” encouraging students to complete one small act of kindness each day (e.g., include someone new at recess, write a thank-you note, share supplies).

3. Inclusivity (Acceptance)

• Why It’s Needed: Holidays can highlight differences in traditions, beliefs, and cultures. Teaching inclusivity ensures every student feels seen and valued.

• Benefit: Builds respect, reduces exclusion, and creates a sense of belonging.

• Activity Idea: Host a “Holiday Traditions Show & Share” where students can share family customs or favorite seasonal activities. Focus on similarities and appreciation of differences.

4. Forgiveness

• Why It’s Needed: Holidays often bring strong emotions, and conflicts are natural. Forgiveness helps students let go of grudges and strengthen friendships.

• Benefit: Improves emotional health, rebuilds relationships, and teaches resilience.

• Activity Idea: Introduce a “Fresh Start Ornament.” Students write down something they want to forgive or let go of (without names) and hang it on a paper tree or bulletin board as a symbol of moving forward.

By weaving generosity, kindness, inclusivity, and forgiveness into holiday lessons, school counselors can help students experience the season as a time of growth, connection, and joy. The best gift we can give children is the reminder that who they are and how they treat others matters more than what they receive.