Oh The Joy!
Picture it. It is Christmas morning. Mom and Dad have made their coffee. The kids are awake and full of anticipation. They rush into the living room, where the Christmas tree sparkles and gifts are piled underneath. There is so much joy! It’s Christmas Morning! Giving gifts to children at Christmas is one of the most fun, joyous activities you can experience as an adult.
Is There Such Thing As Too Many Gifts?
Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Kids LOVE Christmas. It is so fun to watch children open gifts on Christmas morning. Their joy is contagious. As an aunt (and I imagine as a parent), I know it’s easy to go overboard with Christmas gifts for children.
However, sometimes going overboard is not the direction that is going to be healthy for a child’s development. Plus, sometimes with abundance it is easy to lose the meaning behind the holiday. Here are some suggestions for managing gift-giving to children this Christmas season. If you would like more gift giving suggestions or pointers, you might check out this article from Focus on the Family.
4 Things for Gifts
One idea that is gaining popularity is giving 4 specific gifts to your children. You gift them an item that they want, something that they need, something to wear and something to read. This is a good idea that places some limitations on the number as well as giving purpose to the gifts. This could include a bike, a requested toy, a new backpack, a jacket or character sweatshirt, and a fun book. Some also add a larger gift from Santa to the 4 gifts from the parents.
Donate Then Get
Another idea is to help children purge their things is to help them donate to those in need. This helps teach children generosity and keeps the clutter under control. You can help make this easier for your children to get excited about by telling them it is to “make room for Santa’s gifts.” Also, pick a place to donate that lets children help or volunteer. This will allow children to see that their (gently) used toys are going to a good place to find a new home.
Christmas Eve Box
Each Christmas, allow your children to open a Christmas Eve Box. The box can include Christmas PJs, a movie, a book, and snacks or hot cocoa. This not only kickstarts the Christmas celebration but also provides precious family time for creating lasting memories. In order to make this tradition “work” try to give the same type of gift(s) each year and use the same box or crate each year.
Large, Medium, Small Gifts
This system can be put into place by giving your child a large or expensive gift, then a “medium” gift, as well as a small gift. Again, this helps to keep you from going overboard and can make what the children get more significant or impactful. This will take some narrowing down but with some thought and creativity, you could likely come up with 3 really great gifts that will be special for your child.
Can’t We All Just Have fun?
You may be reading this and thinking, “I do not want to put limitations on giving gifts to my children.” If that’s the case, enjoy putting all the gifts under the tree. At the end of the day, Christmas is the time to enjoy family, friends and the joy of the season. If you find that trying to find all the gifts fills your schedule with stress or puts a strain on the budget, then use these tips as a helpful guide to giving gifts to children.
What If I Still Feel Stressed?
As we approach the holiday season, if you find yourself struggling with holiday stress, I encourage you to reach out to the therapists at Family Therapy Associates. They are trained professionals who can assist you in changing negative thought patterns, learning new coping skills, letting go of minor issues, and navigating the holidays with greater peace. Check out their website by clicking here!
Leave a Reply
Your email is safe with us.