When little kids are asking for American Girl dolls, iPods and X-Box's for Christmas, how do you make sure the focus of the holidays is love, family and fun and not stuff?
For me, well presents are always "something" but any more, since I don't see my family that often, it is very family oriented. Maybe try to plan special family events or something. But when I was a kid, and I saw my family all the time, the whole "family thing" wasn't the same.
I personally believe the myth of santa doesn't help--the focus with santa is on presents.
With my daughter, we spend time playing in the snow, playing games, baking, decorating, and singing and dancing. Moments shared together that can never be replaced with a monetary value. These are the things I fondly remember doing with my family when I was young. I don't remember the presents I got, but I do remember the fun times we shared.
We also give to the food bank and other charities this time of year to show her that it is important to care for others in our community.
We always picked a name off the Giving Tree at church and put together a gift for another child. I got my daughter involved in the baking and we would plan a family activity like watching a Christmas movie or going to a parade.
This is always tough. I've found that even when we do something along the lines of giving to the less fortunate, my kids are still a little "I want". But one year, we adopted a family of 12. We actually spent Christmas Eve with them and got to watch them open their presents. My kids were in awe of how excited the kids were over simple things like coloring books and silly putty. It was quite the experience.
We homeschool, so we do a lot of things that relate to Christmas besides gifts. Not only that, but we learn about the other holidays and their traditions, too.
For me, well presents are always "something" but any more, since I don't see my family that often, it is very family oriented. Maybe try to plan special family events or something. But when I was a kid, and I saw my family all the time, the whole "family thing" wasn't the same.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe the myth of santa doesn't help--the focus with santa is on presents.
ReplyDeleteWith my daughter, we spend time playing in the snow, playing games, baking, decorating, and singing and dancing. Moments shared together that can never be replaced with a monetary value. These are the things I fondly remember doing with my family when I was young. I don't remember the presents I got, but I do remember the fun times we shared.
We also give to the food bank and other charities this time of year to show her that it is important to care for others in our community.
We always picked a name off the Giving Tree at church and put together a gift for another child. I got my daughter involved in the baking and we would plan a family activity like watching a Christmas movie or going to a parade.
ReplyDeleteThis is always tough. I've found that even when we do something along the lines of giving to the less fortunate, my kids are still a little "I want". But one year, we adopted a family of 12. We actually spent Christmas Eve with them and got to watch them open their presents. My kids were in awe of how excited the kids were over simple things like coloring books and silly putty. It was quite the experience.
ReplyDeleteWe homeschool, so we do a lot of things that relate to Christmas besides gifts. Not only that, but we learn about the other holidays and their traditions, too.
ReplyDeleteGo to mass, church, etc. and volunteer.
ReplyDeleteWadaya mean it's not about the stuff !!!
ReplyDelete