The holidays are not just fun and cheers, sparkles and songs. For a lot of parents it's a lot of pressure to do the right thing for their children. Whether we can or cannot afford the toys they want, we have a lot of feelings that might be associated with gift giving.
There are different philosophies about how to parent during the holidays. Some people are all about wrapping lots of little gifts, others have as many presents as the age of their kids, others yet might go the other way, with one gift per child. Financial constraints or not, guilt often plays a big factor in theses decisions.
Are there ways to lessen the guilt, while at the same time teaching our children to be themselves and not necessarily depend on advertisement?
Do you have rules, traditions, or just comments on how to make gift giving work for everyone?
Further reading:
• Jane Nelsen (who wrote "Positive Discipline") has interesting insights on the opportunity for effective parenting during the holiday season.
• Jeannette Kaplun writes about teaching kids to give back.
• WebMD also has thoughts on the subject, reminding us to model what we want to see in our kids.
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We give a wear, read and play gift to each child.
I don't have a tidy rule, but I know from experience mine are happiest playing with a few great gifts, than lots and lots. This is the first year that my oldest will really be more excited about what is in the box than the box.
The biggest rule we've had to institute in our house is limits on the grandparents! Hubs and I are very lucky to have such generous parents, but we've really had to rein them in from the past two Christmases. Basic rule for them is no limits on clothes or books, but they can't go beyond 2 toys. But overall, we just think of a budget for each person we're buying for and just stay within that monetary limit. It allows us to be flexible on the amount of presents and/or how major they are.
We do three gifts for each child and hold their grandparents to that, too. If it was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for my kids! ;-)
Jmoore3333, I love that! If it's good enough for Jesus. You are so right.
I am so glad I just read your post jmoore3333. Classic!