Piggy banks teach kids patience and philanthropy -- and they're so cute
Budding capitalists can start saving for the year ahead with the classic ceramic porker and its modern counterparts
By Alison Brownrigg
NWsource shopping columnist
Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times
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RSS for Holiday 2008There's no better time than right now to teach your kids the value of saving their pennies for a rainy day. Saving up for something -- a toy, a trip or a donation to a charitable cause -- and then ceremoniously "breaking the bank" to access the money is one of the best lessons we can teach our budding capitalists. Here are a few of our favorite piggy banks, available locally.
Rachel the pig
Start with a visit to Seattle's most famous piggy bank, Rachel the Pig at Pike Place Market. Installed in August of 1986 and modeled after a real live prizewinning Whidbey Island pig, Rachel weighs in at 550 pounds and garners the Market between $6,000 and $9,000 annually. While she's not the Market's official mascot, both tourists and locals line up to rub her back, drop in a coin and take a photo.
Classic piggy banks
If it's a classic piggy bank you're looking for, The Red Balloon Company on 15th in Capitol Hill carries adorable ceramic polka dotted banks from Elegant Baby. "My First Piggy Bank" comes in a variety of sizes and colors, and was recently featured in People magazine. No two are alike and they retail between $27.95 and $47. Other places to find traditional banks include Tiffany, whose posh ceramic piggy banks retail for $80; and Tottini, which offers banks with modern motifs from NotNeutral and design-your-own banks from Color Me. The banks cost between $16 and $20.
Tzedakah boxes
In times of economic stress, charitable organizations tend to suffer, as people have less to give. The Jewish obligation of "tzedakah" means charity, and ranks as high as the other Jewish principles of prayer and repentance. Young Jewish children drop their coins in tzedakah boxes that are passed around at synagogue, and as soon as a person has their bar/bat mitzvah, they are expected to shoulder the tradition on their own. Once the box is full, the contents are donated to a charity. Tree of Life in Ravenna carries a wide array of tzedakah boxes appropriate for any age. Prices start at $19. My favorite features the sentiment: "May we not be judged by how much we acquire, but let us be blessed according to how much we give."
Moonjar banks
Great American industrialist John D. Rockefeller had his children divvy up their allowance into three jars labeled "save," "share" and "spend" in order to teach them the principal of philanthropy that came to define his life. Inspired by this bit of wisdom, Seattle native Eulalie M. Scandiuzzi created the innovative Moonjar savings bank in 2001.
The Moonjar is used in classrooms and homes to teach kids the concept of saving, spending and sharing. It is comprised of three diamond-shaped tin boxes -- one blue, one green and one red -- that come together to form a neat hexagon. Every Moonjar comes with a passbook to notate the amounts allocated to each category of save, spend and share.
Scandiuzzi has created a whole mythology around the Moonjar, featuring Noom, Raj, Hamilton, Thompson and Giovanni, plush woolen dolls created by Made In Mongolia. The characters come alive in books and CDs that make the Moonjar concept easy for fledging philanthropists to understand. Moonjars are $25.95, and are available at Precocious Toys in Madrona, Third Place Books and online at moonjar.com.
Copyright © The Seattle Times Company
Comments
Post a commentnice article. just a few corrections, if i may:
a) "tzedakah" does NOT mean charity. it means justice, doing the right thing, or giving away money the right way. (the roots of charity and tzedakah are decidedly different!).
b) tzedakah boxes are found not only in a synagogue, but in most Jewish homes. and, not only children, but all Jews routinely put coins (and bills!) in their tzedakah boxes.
c) and, one can spend much less than $19 for a tzedakah box (and, obviously, there are many nice and decorative art ones that sell for substantially more!).
and lastly, once full, it is crucial to give to a place that will use your sacred tzedakah shekels efficiently and effectively.
arnie draiman
www.draimanconsulting.com
My children grew up with a Moonjar and they have learned how to share, spend and save. In these tough economic times I am reminded of how a simple and yet brilliant concept such as this modern day piggy bank can help our children help themselves.
we give them as birthday gifts all the time and we know in our hearts we are giving so much more.
Scilla Andreen
www.indieflix.com
Great article. I created a company in memory of my 28 year old sister, Liz, who died from breast cancer. Uptown Liz (www.uptownliz.com) promotes products from companies whose proceeds go to charity. You can shop on this one-of-a-kind Web site by charitable cause or product category, knowing that every time you make a purchase you are making a difference. There are many great art, clothing, jewelry, house wares, beauty and eco-friendly products (just to name a few) that benefit charities all over the world.
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