Christmas = gifts?
You can throw rocks at me if you want at the end of this post, but please, read it and really take it in. Why does Christmas mean gifts? Why does Christmas mean, “Okay, what am I going to buy them?” Why does Christmas mean, “Give me some ideas for what to get them”?
Could we just not give gifts and enjoy the Christmas season instead? Personally, ever since I had my first child, I’ve been less into the holidays. She was a month and a half old, and people were already asking me what I wanted them to get her for Christmas... she’ll be two and a half months old—she won’t remember a thing! Nothing. Why give her a gift? Can’t you just be there for her and tell her you love her? Of course, she still got gifts anyway…!
Every year, people ask me this. The more years go by, the fewer ideas I have! Kids have so many things—couldn’t we just skip the gifts and enjoy the holidays as a family?
OK, I’ll admit it—I’m the kind of person who loves giving gifts! I’m contradicting myself, haha, but I also believe that giving a gift isn’t just about giving an object. My way of giving is special: there’s a purpose, a meaning behind every gift. If I give a gift, it’s because it comes as much from my heart as from my wallet.
That’s what I ask of the people around my kids: give them something that has value, that will be used, that will be useful, and that the child will understand why they received it. Yes, Santa gives a toy because it’s tradition, but receiving 10 of them won’t change anything. It’ll just result in a spoiled child who doesn’t truly appreciate their gifts.
And as for gift lists, I’ve banned them from my house! So here’s what I suggest to everyone: buy less, but give more. Give love; give useful items that don’t cost an arm and a leg (a book personalized for the child, a picture frame with your photo inside for when they go to sleep, a piggy bank so they can save their money, an activity like going to the movies, etc.). Give your time! Stop asking what the child wants; think beyond that. The child will remember this Christmas moment more than just the idea that “Christmas = presents.”
And anyway, are you going to throw stones at me after all?
Photo credit: Manon Allard