to want to show my DC how over priviledged they are at Christmas..

[clutteredup]

...by wanting to take them to help at a shelter on Christmas day.

OK so it won't be Christmas day because DH won't let me but I just want to do something with them to show them that they are sooo much better off than so many people rather than focussing on what they want for Christmas.
I have tried googling homeless shelters in our area without much success but I desperate for some ideas to just let them see first hand what Christmas is really about.

They are 10, 8 and 4 ( I'm just about prepared to let the LO wait with her Dad for another time when she's a bit older )

Interesting thread.

I personally don't think kids this age are really capable of viewing life in terms of haves and have-nots. You say your kids are privileged. Perhaps they are in comparison to street kids in Brazil. But are they privileged when compared to, say, David Beckham's kids?

My DCs are quite spoilt and have lots of toys and things bought for them. But we have relatives in West Africa (The Gambia) and visit once or twice a year. On those holidays, my DCs play with local children most of whom have very, very little - certainly no toys, ragged clothes, perhaps just 1 - 2 meals a day. My DCs don't view themselves as more privileged or consider these children to be poor. In fact, they would consider these children to be lucky because they live in a country where the sun shines a lot, you can play outside all the time and there's a beach within walking distance!

I personally think you sound very sensible - although the homeless shelter probably wasn't the greatest of ideas - and some of the comments are harsh.