Is ONE big present too little?
When I was growing up, my school friends would always talk about all the toys and games they had listed on their Christmas list. After Christmas break, I would hear them talk about how they got everything on their list and sometimes more! Not me! I would get one big gift such as a bike or roller blades and a few small gifts such as a shirt, socks, and some cute barrettes for my hair.
Where my parents being stingy? No, they were teaching me that Christmas is not all about gifts. It is about family. I would get a gift or two from my grandmothers and aunts, but nothing big or pricey. To be honest, Christmas was never a huge gift giving time in my family. When I say family, I mean immediate family, because I have a cousin, who shall remain nameless, that would ask for some pretty extravagant gifts during Christmas time and if he didn’t get everything he asked for, he would throw a fit! (What a brat! Love ya cuz, but you were a brat! Haha!)
My parents raised me to focus more on the Christmas dinner menu and spending that day with family. My parents frugal gift giving made me get more excited about ham, cookies, and seeing family rather than the Sony Walkman that I might have waiting for me under the tree. (Sony Walkman, ha! Yes, I am an 80’s child).
This Christmas, my husband and I plan on buying our son one nice gift ($60 or less) and one or two small gifts. We want our son to grow up looking forward to Midnight Mass, Christmas dinner, and spending time with family, and not how many presents are waiting for him under the tree.
Do you think showering children with tons of gifts at Christmas time is positive or does it create bratiness?
Chao for now,
Leslita
Comments
That seemed like a very sensible approach to gift-giving at Christmastime. People do seem to forget the reason for the season! After too many gifts, the novelty wears off anyway.My Father used to spoil my older brother with countless gifts and he devolved into a "brat" as well. When I was a child, I developed an attitude of looking at Christmas as only a holiday for presents. It was very much a mindsetand atmosphere of "grab your toys and go out and play".Family would come and eat, but there wasn't a lot of closeness.
Posted by: brabbit41 | 11/06/2009 at 09:46 AM
I think this is one of the Best things I have read about Christmas in a Long time. Your right It is about Christ Birth first then family. It is not about US but about him.
Posted by: Jane | 11/06/2009 at 03:24 PM
I won't forget the Christmas when my son (then about 6 or 7) received quite an array of gifts, and after all were opened, the only thing he could say was "Is that all I got?" Needless to say, the next year, we spent much less on gifts and keep it that way. When children are very young (infants and toddlers), I think it's ridiculous to spend a lot on gifts when they are either (1) too young to know what's going on or care or (2) would just as soon play with the box in which the gift was packaged. I love the idea of keeping it about Christ, because after all, Jesus is the reason for the season!
Posted by: Jean | 11/07/2009 at 12:02 AM
My favorite holiday memories are Christmas plays, decorating the tree and my mom telling me the history of the ornaments, playing board games and wrapping gifts for others.
Posted by: Peanut | 11/09/2009 at 11:24 AM
I don't think that it is too little!
My parents are thinking about buying a cruise for the family next year! I really love this idea. Not only do I get a great vacation, but I will get to spend quality time with my family on the cruise! I would rather receive one really nice gift, rather than 10 really small gifts. Not to mention my favorite part about Christmas is spending time with my family and friends. It's a special time of the year to focus on what truely matters (religion/faith, family and friends). I think all to often this is lost with all the hustle and bustle of the season.
Posted by: Stephanie | 11/09/2009 at 01:19 PM
I believe that giving children lots and lots of presents at Christmas is the worse possible thing that one can do when raising their children. When I was young I might see one present under a very small tree with my name on it. I had no complaints. I think children need to be taught a set of values and learn that giving all through life beats receiving any time. It will make them much better at dealing with all aspects of life and the world will think much better of them. A spoiled child is handicapped for it's entire life.
Posted by: George S. DeMerell, Jr. | 12/07/2009 at 02:10 AM