December 19, 2009

Do You Buy Or Make Christmas Memories?

Do you remember the gifts you gave your child last Christmas? Better yet, do you think your child remembers?

From the moment holiday toy commercials air on TV children begin compiling their Christmas wish list. Parents determined to give their child the best Christmas ever rush out to purchase everything on the list. Unfortunately children live in the moment so their wish lists are always expanding and changing. Parents don’t want their child to be disappointed on Christmas morning so they rush back to the store or to Amazon.com and buy more toys. It’s not only exhausting but it’s also expensive. I’m willing to bet that’s not the meaning of Christmas you want to instill in your child.

If this scenario sounds familiar to you I suggest you ask yourself a few questions. Are you afraid your child might be disappointed on Christmas morning? Are you trying to avoid feeling guilty about not giving your child everything they want? What message do you want to convey to your children about the meaning of Christmas?

Perhaps it’s time to start a new Christmas tradition. Release yourself from trying to buy the Christmas your child thinks she wants and replace it with a Christmas that she needs. A Christmas with simple gifts and simple pleasures will make memories that will last a lifetime.

1 comment:

Russell said...

Very excellent thoughts. I strongly believe the simpliest gifts are the best.

I recall sitting at family Christmas gatherings over the years and seeing a child playing with the box or the wrapping paper!

I remember another time when a little boy had received a toy and he just wanted to PLAY with it! Heh! But his parents kept pushing other presents in front of him to open -- finally he went off to a bedroom and closed the door. He just wanted to sit and play with his little truck!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I hope you will return!