Christmas is around the corner and while I love the twinkling lights and the music, it’s far from my favorite holiday. There is a lot of pressure associated with gifts, and while I know that isn’t the reason for the season it’s something that many, especially children, look forward to. Kids can’t wait to wake up on Christmas morning to see what Santa has brought them. It’s exciting, the anticipation is fun, and the magic of Santa and his sleigh pulled by reindeer is such an innocent vision.
As a parent, I love seeing my kids faces light up when they open a gift. Christmas seemed to become 10 times more magical since having children. The great thing about my children being so young is that they have yet to ask for anything substantial. Currently my kids Christmas lists consist of a blue Power Ranger toy and something small, cute, and fluffy. As they get older, I know their interests will change. Their gifts will be more elaborate and likely more expensive. They will consist of the latest cell phone and gaming system. The cost will go from a $10 stuffed animal to a $300 Nintendo Switch. *Gulp* I am so very fortunate to live comfortably at the moment, but that cost gives me an “oh sh*t” feeling.
This is where the debate comes in. How many gifts does Santa bring? What kinds of gifts does Santa bring? Does Santa deliver $300 gaming stations?
Ok- parents- can we all have each other’s backs here? We all recognize that there are so many families out there that are struggling. Some without a penny to spend on Christmas. Christmas is dreaded by these families. They want to gift their kids what they ask for, but it simply isn’t possible. So aside from us pitching in to donate toys and gift cards to those in need this season (which I encourage you all to do if you have the means) what can we do in our own homes to ease the stress of the holidays for families that can’t have Santa delivering the latest IPhone to their 8 year old?
Let’s stop promising our kids that Santa is there to bring them every gift on their Christmas list. Heck, he may not bring one item from their list. While Santa takes suggestions, he’s not there to give your kids exactly what they want. He’s there to bring them a gift that your child will enjoy even if it wasn’t on the top of their list. This is a great lesson to your kids about being grateful for any and all gifts they receive.
Let’s stop having Santa gift the expensive cell phones, gaming stations, and over the top toys to our kids? Let him gift the smaller, less substantial items. Perhaps ones that could actually pass for being made in his workshop? Just because it’s on your kids list to Santa doesn’t mean you can’t take some credit by gifting that cool 1000-piece Lego set to your child. Believe me, they won’t care who it came from!
Let’s stop having Santa gift every single thing under your Christmas tree. Again, take some credit parents! Let Santa bring 2-3 gifts and that’s it. He’s magical, but that magic sack is only so big, and he can’t bring Johnny 50 toys while his classmate Suzy is only getting 1 toy. While kids, even at a young age, can understand the concept that their parents may not be able to provide everything that another child’s parents can, they have a harder time understanding why Santa gifted one child so many gifts while they are only getting 1 or 2. This is where the magic and belief in Santa dwindles, and I think we can all agree that we would love to keep the innocence of our children for as long as possible.
So parents, I ask you, I beg you, please take the above points into consideration this and every year when adding Santa’s name to any presents this year. If you are fortunate enough to have a pile of gifts under your tree for your children this year, be mindful of which ones and how many Santa brings. We are all in this together. Let’s help to make the holidays a bit more magical for everyone.
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