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Along with the rest of the world, we are getting ready for the Holiday Season to really kick in in the weeks ahead. We are a pretty typical family when it comes to the Holidays – we all love toys, food, family, decorating and music. For us, Thanksgiving and Christmas are the big ones (New Years is more for us parents).

Because Thanksgiving is pretty late in the month this year it got us thinking about to make good use of this coming week. I’m not a complete idealist, but one thing I think is important is giving the kids some perspective on their place in the world, especially just ahead of a season of conspicuous consumption.

Turns out, there are a bunch of ways to do this that are also fun, so that’s gonna be our mission between now and Thanksgiving.

For starters, this is the last week to see the “Trash Bash” exhibit at the Children’s Museum, and I can’t think of a better time to take the boys. When you have young children the Holidays generate a lot of trash, and this awesome hands-on exhibit is designed to get kids thinking creatively about trash, recycling and reuse. Highlights include a musical instrument made of junk, an art studio that uses recycled materials and a “Trash Mountain” that demonstrates the amount of trash generated by a family in one year. Best part is it’s all presented in a way that is fun and participatory, not heavy-handed or preachy. Details

Another awesome spectacle that carries a message is the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ Holiday Lights in the Park at Phalen Park. An $8 fee ($10 on weekends) gets your car entrance to this leisurely nighttime drive through the park, which is filled with electric art of Ice castles, Santa Claus, gingerbread men and more. The IBEW promises 43 large displays, some of which move. We are big fans of things that shine in the dark, so we have high hopes. So what is the “lesson” on this one? The admission fees are a donation that goes directly to 4 great charities – including Second Harvest which helps feed hungry childen, families and seniors. Details.

Finally, the shopping season is about to start in a big way and its a good time to look for ways to help others less fortunate. Rosedale Center is Partnering with Pillsbury United Communities on a Giving Tree program that allows shoppers to help disadvantaged children. Gift Tags with holiday wishes from children are available at Guest Services. Shoppers can pick them up and return them along with the purchased item between now and December 20th.

Next week we’ll be back to just having fun, but hopefully with a better sense of perspective.