NEWS & RESOURCES

Authored by: Adelae Winters, Wealth Advisor

The holidays are a time of joy, generosity, and reflection, and for many families, they’re also a season of spending. Between gifts, travel, and festive experiences, it’s easy for money to steal the spotlight. That’s why this time of year offers the perfect opportunity to teach kids about gratitude and money, and how the two are deeply connected. 

Start with Gratitude 

Before diving into shopping lists or wish lists, start by talking about what your family is thankful for. Around the dinner table, ask everyone to name one person, experience, or simple joy that made their year special. Gratitude helps children (and adults!) see beyond material things and appreciate what they already have. You can make this more tangible by writing thank-you notes together — to teachers, coaches, or grandparents — or by creating a “gratitude jar” to fill with small notes of appreciation throughout the season. My kids are very young, and we love making a “thankful turkey” on Thanksgiving out of construction paper: on each feather we write something we’re thankful for. This sets the tone for the remainder of the holiday season. 

Talk Openly About Spending and Giving 

When kids understand the effort that goes into earning and managing money, they begin to value it more deeply. Consider involving them in small financial decisions during the holidays — like setting a family budget for gifts, choosing one charity to support, or picking out items to donate. Even young children can grasp the joy of giving when they see how their contributions make a difference. Matching your child’s donation to a cause they care about or volunteering as a family helps build lifelong habits of generosity. 

Focus on Experiences Over Things 

Kids remember moments, not price tags. Baking cookies, decorating together, or watching a classic holiday movie together costs very little, but creates lasting memories. Framing these activities as gifts of time and love can help shift the focus from “what I get” to “what we share.” Pick a few go-to seasonal activities and repeat them annually – before you know it, you have some favorite traditions that your kids will remember for a lifetime. 

Set the Stage for Future Conversations 

The holidays are a great starting point for bigger money talks. Whether it’s introducing an allowance system, saving for a special goal, or setting up a giving jar, these small lessons can evolve into lifelong financial confidence. I’m a big fan of a 3-jar system: something to spend, something to save, and something to give. If I’m going to spend the money on my kids anyway, giving them the opportunity to consider how the money gets put to use turns it into a life lesson. 

Teaching kids about gratitude and money doesn’t have to be complicated — it just takes intention. By weaving financial awareness into family traditions, you’re helping shape a balanced, thoughtful relationship with money that will serve them for years to come. 

Adelae joined CNC in 2014 as a Wealth Management Assistant and later transitioned to Wealth Advisor. She finds fulfillment in assisting clients on their path to success by taking a technical and detailed approach to her job. One of Adelae’s favorite parts of her role is collaborating with clients during some of the most meaningful moments of their lives — about their wealth, their legacy, their struggles, and triumphs.