What is Giving Tuesday? A family guide to generosity

Giving Tuesday began in 2012 with one big question: After a weekend focused on shopping, what if we had a day focused on giving? The 92nd Street Y in New York and the United Nations Foundation launched the idea, and it quickly spread. Today, Giving Tuesday is celebrated in more than 85 countries and inspires millions of people each year to support causes close to their hearts.

Every year, it falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the U.S. It’s meant to counterbalance the rush of Black Friday and Cyber Monday with a reminder to focus on generosity and community instead of just shopping.

Why families take part in Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday stands out because it shifts the focus of the season. After days of shopping and deals, it’s a reminder that the holidays are also about giving back. For families, it’s a built-in chance to slow down and do something meaningful together, whether that’s donating, volunteering, or choosing a small act of kindness.

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When kids see generosity in action, it can resonate. Even something as simple as sharing part of an allowance or writing a thank‑you note can show them that giving is just as valuable as receiving.

Simple ways to join in

Here are a few practical ways families can participate:

Give money

Ask kids to set aside a portion of their allowance or earnings to support a cause. Parents can match their gift or let them choose the organization. The focus isn’t on the amount but on building the habit of giving.

With Greenlight’s Giving category, families can choose from a wide range of charities directly in the app. Kids get to see their money go toward causes they care about, all with parental oversight.

Share your time

Families can volunteer at a food pantry, collect coats for a winter drive, or help out at a local park clean-up. Even younger kids can join in by drawing cards for a senior center or helping pack meals for neighbors in need.

Spread kindness at home

Drop off cookies for a neighbor, pass along toys your kids no longer use, or leave a thank‑you note for your mail carrier. Small gestures like these show kids that giving can be part of everyday life.

Explore new ways to give

Beyond money and time, families can get creative on Giving Tuesday. Host a neighborhood swap to recycle gently used clothes and toys, start a family tradition of writing gratitude letters, or team up with friends to fundraise for a local cause. Finding your own twist makes the day more memorable and shows kids that generosity can take many forms.

Turning generosity into lasting habits

Giving Tuesday lasts a single day, but families can find simple ways to keep generosity going all year:

• Set aside a small part of the family budget for giving, alongside saving and spending.

• Let kids choose causes they care about and check in on how their support is making a difference.

• Talk about acts of kindness at the dinner table so generosity becomes part of everyday conversation.

• Celebrate milestones together, like a first volunteer shift or meeting a fundraising goal.

Little by little, these habits can make generosity feel like a natural part of family life.

Keeping generosity front and center

Giving Tuesday shows us that kindness doesn’t have to be complicated. For families, it’s an invitation to slow down and remind kids that giving is just as important as receiving. And when kids learn to connect generosity with money choices, they’re building skills that last a lifetime.

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This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.