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Doing our annual Christmas budget is always a challenge for my wife and me.

How much do we spend on our kids? (Usually it’s too much.) How much do we spend on others? (Luckily, our families both pull names to keep costs down.) How much do we spend on each other? (Usually it’s nothing.)

One of the biggest challenges of the Christmas season is figuring out how much to give – and by "give," I mean to a charity or cause.

As the saying goes, it is better to give than to receive, and the holiday season is the best time to remind ourselves of that. It’s also a great time to teach your kids about giving.

I had a friend once tell me – after a natural disaster occurred – that you should give an amount that "stings a little." I’m not sure that’s the best way to go. I think you should give an amount that is respectable and honorable, both to yourself and to the organization to which you are giving. If it "stings," you may be giving too much. I think you shouldn’t give more just because it hurts. And it’s not responsible to your own family to give more than you really can afford.

In truth, there is no easy answer to the question, "How much should I give?" I think it’s best to talk as a family and figure out a figure – one that is appropriate for your particular financial situation. This can be a great teaching opportunity for our kids – letting them know how lucky they are to have so much and to understand that there are many who have much less.

And, of course, if you’re in financial trouble, you might be better served giving your time and energy as a volunteer, rather than giving your money.

I guess in the end, it doesn’t matter how much you give – just that you do give. That’s the true spirit of the holidays.