I read this on a digital scrapping board I frequent (DST) and I want to share with you a mom’s insight. Sure, we tend to go overboard with ideas on what gifts to give only to find that toys lose their novelty in a month. And there goes the few hundred dollars.

When we were young, my parents were like that. We were off to a materialistic Christmas ever year. Sure it was happy. But then time grew harder and we barely even had enough to go by Christmas dinner. And we didn’t receive gifts from our parents anymore. Whatever money we receive during the season we use to buy ourselves the necessities for the next year – underwear, socks, shoes, etc. It was sometimes embarrassing, knowing we don’t have money. But looking back, I realized we were happier during the times we absolutely have nothing. We tend to joke around more, tell stories, TALK, BOND. Because that is essentially what Christmas is about, right?

Of course, with me having my own kids, I want Christmas to be special for them. I dont want them to lose the Christmas magic so young. Christmas has been so much fun with them around. But I have forgotten to stress that what they need to feel and experience is THE Christmas spirit. Because that is what Christmas is about, right?

So now I tend to refocus on things. The kids will get one major gift from us (the parents) and get a little something from each of the family. I will make sure all gifts are useful all throughout the year.

And mostly, I will make sure to ingrain Matthew with the values we need to have this Christmas – the giving of self, rejoicing in the birth of Christ, and love.

Here is the post if you want to read it:

Every year we say we aren’t going to go overboard buying gifts for the kids and every year we fail, right?

I mean, we don’t buy much for each other and relatives are bought for modestly and as a grand total we don’t spend what we don’t have…but…I still have that feeling that no matter what I’ve bought, I *could* buy more, right?

I’ve been looking around for some different opinions on how to curb holiday spending and deal with MY MIND which is where the problem lies (just one more thing….he needs it….I forgot about these!….but it’s not expensive!) I have seen several great ideas but the idea we are modifying and using for ourself is this guideline:

Each child will receive:

Something I want
Something I need
Something to wear
Something to read

Four gifts each from us…and they still won’t ‘want’ for things on Christmas morning, I’m sure! The “want” and “read” will come from Santa probably and the “need” and “wear” from us.

An eye-opener.

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