NOTHING says Christmas quite so much as a group of shiny-faced, tinsel-clad infants belting out songs about ‘baby cheeses’ and ‘angel warships’ in the local shopping centre, as adoring parents and grandparents look on in pride.

I’ve been there – the first time I went along to see my boys’ yelling Jingle Bells at the top of their voices in a vague approximation of the actual tune I was in awe at the giant sound made by these little people.

It was joyful and happy and carefree, exactly as Christmas celebrations should be and for my then five-year-old and nine-year-old, singing their hearts out for the pleasure of busy shoppers (whether they liked it or not), it was just one on a long, long list of festive activities dreamed up by the school.

(Panto trip, carol service, Christmas show, Christmas party, another panto trip, a visit from Santa and yet another panto trip, all on the list.)

Fast forward four years and Christmas has lost none of its sparkle for my boys, but I've noticed something else creeping in to their thoughts at this time of year: the realisation that not all children are as fortunate as they are.

Last year, following discussions in class and at home about the children fleeing Syria, the boys started their own discussion with us about whether we could help by having a family live with us.

This year, they have been shocked by the stories about Scottish young people having to spend Christmas living on the streets or in homeless shelters, prompting us to do some research into how we can help.

Part of the answer lies with Shelter Scotland, whose #SocialMediaSanta campaign is an outstanding way of helping some of the most vulnerable young people in society to enjoy a little Christmas cheer.

For the last few years the charity has rallied Twitter users to donate presents to some of the thousands of children, aged between six months and 16 years, who are homeless in Scotland this year.

To become a #SocialMediaSanta all you have to do is send an unwrapped, new present to Shelter's Edinburgh community hub with your contact details, post the special graphic on your Twitter feed, and the charity will do the rest.

It's an easy peasy way of supporting someone having a tough time this Christmas.

It's easy to scoff at educational concepts like being a 'responsible citizen' or an 'effective contributor' which are at the heart of the Scottish Government's Curriculum for Excellence.

But the emphasis in the classroom on encouraging children to consider themselves part of something bigger, and to look at how they might improve things for the benefit of all, is inspiring.

Recent research revealed children who show empathy do better at school and in later life, in terms of careers, which is hardly a revelation when you think about it. A little compassion goes a long way, at any time of the year.