Christmas is such an exciting time of year, but it can also be very stressful for parents. The pressure of buying multiple presents for the kids can get carried away quickly. With all the mailed advertisements, commercials, and online convenience, no wonder why we tend t0 overbuy, and why kids can think Christmas is all about getting presents. Don’t get me wrong, I love watching my daughter get excited about new toys and what Santa brought for her, but keeping up with the Joneses is exhausting and expensive! More importantly, it is unnecessary and creates unrealistic expectations.
This Christmas, we will have three kids to buy for, not just the one, which is why I started this new tradition last year. It helped prepare McKenzie for the changes to come and made things simple, less stressful, and more fun. We now use a system where we only purchase four items per kid, and it works great.
Each year we buy the following:
- An item they want (usually where a toy comes in);
- An item they need (can be something like new underwear);
- An item they wear (last year McKenzie needed a new jacket, but could be clothing); and
- An item they read (a book, how cool is that!).
Want to join me on this challenge?
I promise the present opening activity will still be fun, but this way, you cover all bases, and you will help your child focus on the true meaning of Christmas!
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Such a great idea! We like to try and donate something every year. The kids love giving and sharing the joy of the holidays, especially when they get to be a part of it!