December 20, 2006 6:39 PM
Have yourself a merry LITTLE Christmas
Something I received from my friend Ann, who lives about ten minutes away and is a writer too - author of Preparing My Heart for Advent and Preparing My Heart for Lent.
Ann is mother to two young daughters - and very purposeful about the way she brings them up. I love her idea about gifts symbolizing the gifts of the Wise Men:
This was the last year to sit on Santa's lap. They haven't "believed" for years -- I just wanted a photo op. As the girls neared Santa, Christine spoke up, "What do I say when he asks what I want?" And I wasn't sure whether to be sad for her or glad.The girls do not associate Christmas with presents. They associate it with seeing family and doing things together and of course: celebrating the birth of Christ. When she sat on his lap, she answered appropriately, "Snow."
Santa said she drove a hard bargain and that it had already snowed in Seattle where she was headed.
When I asked the girls whether they wanted regular Christmas presents or to do gold, frankincense, and myrrh, they opted for the latter.
Last year we began three gifts: a gold coupon book of activities to do ALL year with Mom and Dad, frankincense: something that lifts their relationship with the Lord (book, CD), and myrrh -- something to do with the bath.
They wanted their three gifts again. I look forward to a year of going out to dessert, seeing Ford Theatre's "A Christmas Carol," and other activities spread over 12 months (both financially, physically, and emotionally). And I look forward to QUALITY time with them.
I think about the little kids who are bug eyed with coveting what they see on tv or magazines and a part of me hopes I haven't deprived my kids about that stuff, but on the other hand, what would I be depriving them of if they were bug-eyed?
Ann
When Tripp and I were first married, he built a tree business with whatever support I could give him while having kids every 18 months. In 10 years we went from being very poor to having a very affluent lifestyle. I remember overspending those Christmases - as though trying to make up for the poverty in my own background.
But over time, my priorities changed. We became Christians and Jonny was born with Down syndrome - two life-changing events (or at least they have that potential). We began focusing less and less on material abundance at Christmas. Our kids have never had the latest techno-toys. No ATVs or Nintendos.
I'm also not one to hoard gifts until Christmas. If someone needs something, I like to give it to them then, not wait until Christmas. We don't watch much TV so they aren't exposed to the ads, which helps a lot.
All by way of saying that if you are feeling slightly nauseous with all the commercial hype and emphasis on consumerism, feel free to take a few steps back at Christmas. Your kids may not mind as much as you think.
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Comments
Although we aren't nearly as creative with the "package,' my husband and I decided this year to be much more intentional with out gifts. Each of our three children is getting one toy that has been chosen with much thought and to avoid the commercialism trap, cds with scripture memory songs (Max Lucado has a great set of cds that are straight scripture from the CEV using the Hermie characters), and Bibles/Bible storybooks appropriate for their reading levels. I have felt so good about our choices and "freed" from the buying frenzy of the holidays. And, I know our kids will love their gifts!
Posted by: Sarah | December 21, 2006 12:45 PM
