It’s that time of the year: We’re all looking for the “perfect” gift for those we love. Here’s my advice: Give the children you love the gift of a financially secure future. And I don’t mean by giving them money. I mean by giving them the gift of the financial knowledge they need to reap their own financially secure future.

I’ve said this before – but it bears repeating: Start Young. Shape money attitudes and behavior young. It’s so much easier than changing behavior later. Early financial education will help navigate the ups and downs (think Pandemic) of life. A recent story in the NYTimes served up proof.

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This holiday season is likely to be pretty different for many of us.  We will all need to come up with alternative and safe ways to be together.

Jack Bishop, Creative Director at America’s Test Kitchen, has authored a beautifully written and illustrated book for kids about making peace with “change”.   In Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie, Peyton, a picky eater, realizes that she is ready to broaden her food horizons.  Peyton decides to embrace change by tasting all kinds of pie – a food she did not think she liked – until she learned that she could add ice cream! (Nice workaround, Peyton!)

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Money stress can take the joy out of the upcoming holidays. And don’t get me started about the money hangover in January.

Here are 3 tips to help you steer clear of the money stress and pitfalls of the season:

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Claire Green, President of Parents’ Choice Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps us all make the most out of play for our children, was explaining to me recently what she looks for in choosing a really great toy as a gift: “The best toys prompt children to think, feel, or do; they encourage curiosity, empathy and creativity.”

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