Why You Should Ditch the Santa Wish List
At this time of year, there’s one question kids get asked over and over:
“What do you want for Christmas?”
“What are you going to ask Santa for?”
Sound familiar? Maybe you’ve even asked your child the same thing.
Writing a Christmas wish list is a long-held tradition. Most of us encourage it without giving it a second thought.
But this year, we’re suggesting a shift — one that brings deeper meaning to your family’s festive season.
A New Kind of Christmas List
This year at Remindables, we’re replacing the traditional Santa wish list with something more thoughtful:
🎁 The Thinking of Others Gift List
It’s a free printable download designed to help children focus not just on receiving, but on giving. A chance to help kids notice others and reflect on ways they can be kind, generous and thoughtful during the holidays.
👉 Download the Thinking of Others Gift List here
Why Make the Switch?
Shifting the focus from “What do I want?” to “What can I give?” helps children:
Notice what other people enjoy or need thereby increasing their perspective skills
Ask thoughtful questions like “What would make them feel special?”
Act on their ideas by making, drawing, or helping choose a meaningful gift
It’s about helping kids be part of the giving—not just the getting.
What They’ll Learn
By using the Thinking of Others list, children can:
Identify someone they care about
Consider that person’s interests
Plan a thoughtful gift or gesture
Feel empowered by giving with purpose
This gentle activity teaches empathy and thoughtfulness in a way that feels natural and joyful.
Start a New Tradition
We believe small shifts in the way we approach traditions can have a lasting impact on our children.
So this year, why not add a second list to the fridge? One that’s all about kindness, curiosity, and care.
✨ Download your free Thinking of Others Gift List here and make giving part of the magic.
About the writer: Lauren is a speech pathologist who has over 18 years experience working with children and teenagers who present with a range of learning and communication differences. Lauren is passionate about helping others and loves to find simple and creative ways to make learning fun! The blog posts featured on this site are written on behalf of Remindables and are intended for educational purposes only and to provide general information and an understanding on a particular topic. By using this blog site, you must be aware that the information shown is not to be used as a substitute for therapy advice and you should therefore seek the opinion of suitable professionals to assist you. The views expressed here are the author’s views alone and not those of their employer or others, unless clearly stated. ⠀⠀⠀
