I know, you’re moaning and groaning because this post has the word “Christmas” in the title and it’s only October 29th. It’s totally ridiculous. But for me, you see, shopping season comes early; Sophie’s birthday is November 16th. It’s followed closely by my husband’s on Novmember 26th and then Jonah’s on December 17th. Oh, yes, and THEN Jesus’ on December 25th.
So. I’m shopping.
Last year I overdid it big time on Sophie’s birthday and Christmas. Mostly because it was the first time that Sophie really, really, really, completely, fully enjoyed and understood these events. Also, I found a TON of great deals last year for both her birthday and for Christmas. However, I probably should not have bought them all. The big kids just got way too much. Joshua’s birthday is 8 weeks after Christmas so by the time we got there, we were on full toy overload. And the kids’ expectations were just too high.
I know it’s “rough” having a birthday so close to Christmas. They don’t really get presents any other time of the year. But this year, I’m trying to teach them that it’s not about how much stuff you get. That, of course, is easier said than done.
To get us started on the path to gift moderation instead of present overload, I borrowed an idea from my friend Tess. For Christmas, they give each child four presents: something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read. Brilliant, right?? I immediately decided to adopt this idea for our family for Christmas and birthdays. So, a few weeks ago I broke the news to the big kids.
At first, Sophie was excited about it, until Joshua clued her in to the fact that it used to be “something you want, something you want, something you want, something you want.” So they both kind of pouted for awhile, but after a few weeks of talking about it on and off – I think they’re both finally on board! Sophie gave me an appropriate birthday list and yesterday Joshua made his Christmas list for me in line with the new guidelines:
Didn’t he do a nice job? I’m proud of him and of Sophie! I hope they can keep their good attitudes through the holiday season – the first of the toy catalogs arrived today and they were both pretty excited.
We’ll see how the experiment goes this year. I’m hoping it -along with our Operation Christmas Child boxes – goes a long way in teaching them that Christmas is really about God’s gift to us.
What do you do to teach your kids that it’s better to give than to receive?
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Lead photo via Creative Commons
That is a great idea! I’m sure that by making their list this way, they will really treasure what they get.
I love the picture at the top of this post!
Great job! I’ve struggled with this as well, and refuse to buy the kids toys since they get enough of that stuff from other relatives. I also don’t let them ASK or demand anything. If they are asked, they are allowed to offer suggestions, but that’s it. I stick to a budget, and make other traditions, like OCC boxes, a HUGE priority. It’s all about how we can show God’s love to others, just like He showed us love by sending us Jesus.
So far Lucy’s suggestions consist of a screwdriver and suspenders. I attribute that to not letting them watch commercials 😉
So proud of my girls… and I really kind of hate myself for justifying a new pair of shoes just so I have a new shoebox for OCC… but, they are pretty cute 🙂
And I so hope that Soph has Stompeez slippers for WEAR and NEED and WANT on her list!
What I want: That darn cake plate!
What I need: That Black Camaro
What I’ll wear: That Black Bomber Jacket
Whiat I’ll read: Well, just about anything!
UP
I think this is a great idea. I have to admit that after having our first child it took us a couple years to come around and see how badly we were overdoing Christmas. Now we try really hard to think through what each child needs and which things that they want will be enjoyed long term. I also have no shame letting grandparents and aunts and uncles know what gifts would be practical.
My kids have plenty of relatives that give them ENOUGH STUFF. So we scarcely get them anything, and they do not notice or care. When my oldest son was 2, and again when he was 3, we did not even tell him that he might get presents at Christmas…he thought it was all about giving to others and celebrating Baby Jesus. Those were blissful years. Now at 5, he knows presents are involved, but still we try to focus on traditions and memories that we can do together.
We have an advent ‘calendar’ made of 25 baby socks on a clothesline, and every day has a card with the day’s activity: make gingerbread house, make a gift for grandparents, drive to see Christmas lights, take our annual photos with candy canes, pick a child from our church’s Angel Tree, select a farm animal for a 3rd world family via World Vision, make cookies, film a video of the kids singing Christmas songs, set up Nativity set, etc. A mix of things that are fun for our family together, and things that are helpful to others. Also my son has been able to recite the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20 since he was 3; he re-memorizes it every year so he can say it for our family on Christmas.
I’ve been thinking about this post for a while (okay, since you posted it). As much as I’d LOVE to do this idea, I’ve already shopped year round and exceeded the ‘want’ category for most people. However, on the lists we are providing to family, I have encouraged my kids to pick from the categories (this also helps with their logic and reasoning skills with categorizing their choices.)
Anyway, I did add an extra group called: see, because there were some movies that we all wanted and I couldn’t find it in my heart to take up valuable space in the ‘want’ category for DVD’s.
Thanks for the great posts!
Ba-rilliant idea! I just mad I read too late – but will pocket it for next year. 🙂
I also noticed the “Giimmes” at Christmas from our boys, and one year we took three kids with us to the homeless shelter downtown and performed (sand and played) Christmas carols while the good folks collected their stockings. It was humbling to see how much gratitude was shown to us by those who were down and out. The trip home was very quiet in the car: we felt guilty were going home to a turkey in the oven and presents in the house. The children were less materialistic the next year. And we have made performing somewhere a yearly tradition since that fateful Christmas Day. It’s good to teach the children to give. Thanks for the post.
Hey Jenny,
I was wondering if this went well enough in 2013 that you were going to do it again this year.
Thinking about adopting something along this line. More for me than my kids. I love to give them gifts so I tend to go overboard.