Monday, October 29, 2007
Stuffing the Stocking - or not
Does anyone else struggle with Christmas gifts? My newest challenge is what the poll on the right mentions- how many gifts should I give my children? I know a number might not be exactly what I need but I'm having a hard time figuring out how do you teach thankfulness in the midst of 20 gifts that all have their name on it? How do you emphasize the importance of giving when all they are experiencing is getting on Christmas day? We have never done a lot of gifts (usually about 2 or 3 each or one large one) but I'm toying with the idea of a bunch of tiny gifts just for the fun of opening gifts! Things like a toothbrush and goldfish crackers- and then have one "bigger" gift. This is also hard for me because I LOVE buying gifts!! But as I am thinking about it I'm not sure I want to feed the gimme monster that is already quite prevelant in my four year old! So- I need some mom advice. Anyone? =)
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7 comments:
Hi Amber (and Brad),
Jenny (formerly Buist) here. I found your blog through Katie Terpstra's blog. Your boys are adorable! Sounds like they are a lot of fun.
We started something for Christmas gifts we really like. Each person in our family gets a gift or two in each of 3 categories: heart, soul and mind. The heart gift is something they will love, and touches their current interests. It is usually the largest gift. The soul gift is something that will bring them closer to Jesus, a Christian video, worship cd, devotional, etc. The mind is something that is educational, a book, lessons, something to keep them learning.
That does not address the number gift, but helps me feel like you aren't just out there buying as much as you can until you hit the limit. Rich and I even get gifts in those 3 categories. It limits the number, but also makes the gifts more memorable.
I hope you find something you like for your family!
Jenny
bushybushytrio.blogspot.com
I grew up in a house where there wasn't a lot of extra money during the year, but my dad got a Christmas bonus every year, so it would be a big day of getting all of the things we needed for the year (even socks, underwear, etc). Jeff and I carry that tradition on with our kids, getting them a lot of the stuff they will need, and letting the grandparents do most of the toy shopping :-). Because of this, we usually get them toys for their bday :-)
We started the tradition of giving 3 gifts to each child at Christmas. Jesus received 3 gifts from the wise men, so that's what we give to our children. It's a way to keep ourselves in check.
I learned the same thing as Sarah - from my boss...the kids still get an abundance of stuff from the aunts/uncles/grandparents...but we're trying to do the three gifts each - but i will say that i do like the idea of your friend Jen's...Heart, soul and mind...i think i'm gonna try that!
Missing you guys like crazy!
Chrissy and Fam
especially with our older ones, 4 & up, we encourage them to come up with a service gift that shows someone in the family how thankful they are for that person...
i.e. brendan carries all the groceries in from the car on sat., rebekah puts them away without help or being reminded by mom... for 5 weeks.
and they make a card/certificate /coupon to give.
fwtw...
ok,. I had this problem a few years ago--what do you do for christmas when everyone seems to be very much into the "getting" part of Christmas rather than the "giving" part?
I decided that just being an example--not just during the christmas season--but all year long is the best.
2-3x a year I tell the kids that we need to give some toys away. At first they wine and cry("but I LOVE my stuffed dog!" that they havent played with in 2 years) and the best part is when they try to hide the toys away so I can't find them!
And every time I bring a trash bag out and explain to them that there is another boy or girl who would love to play with their toys. And that it is good to share and that Jesus wants us to make other people happy. After that--they are practically throwing toys in the trash bag! (no joke) I also tell them how proud I was of them!
:)
And the most important part is when the people actually come to pick up the items--I make the girls give it to them and tell them why they are giving it to them.
I don't use gimicks--like "if you pick up your toys you might get more on christmas" That only incourages greed.
SO what I'm saying is you can't avoid the green-eyed monster(especially when they are little) but what you CAN do is be a constant example--and as they get older incourage them to do some serious giving of their own.
This year we are saving cans and jars for the homeless--we have a bag already--and guess who's going to deliver it???
PS: LOVE the blog!!
Amber--I had like 10 sec to look at your blog...it looks nice. I didn't have timeto read all your entries...though I see our fam is featured further on down. :o).
Anyway...before goign to investigate the loud noises emminating from the kitchen I had to comment on this entry.
I've been thinking about this topic alot...as we've already discussed. Something that dawned on me yesterday is that if we are going to make the presents not the main feature of Christmas we have to replace it with something better. I"m still working out how to accomplish this...but I'm excited by the idea.
Gotta run...catch ya later,
JR
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