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, it’s no wonder why we tend to overbuy, and why kids can think Christmas is all about getting presents. Don’t get me wrong, I love watching my kids get excited about new toys and what Santa brought for them, but keeping up with the Joneses is exhausting and expensive! More importantly, it is unnecessary and creates unrealistic expectations.
This Christmas, we will once again follow tradition and join in on the Christmas Gift Challenge. It has helped keep shopping simple, less stressful, and honestly, more fun. We 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!
