Christmas has become virtually synonymous with materialism. The average American adult plans on spending $781 on Christmas gifts this year! To be honest, we haven't budgeted well in the past and this figure probably is more realistic to our past spending than I believe it to be.
My husband and I decided that we want to instill in our children the concept of a simple Christmas. One that consists less of the "I want" attitude. Honestly, we all have those tendencies, don't we?
Our oldest daughter just turned four this past week; I think it is important emphasizing this at an early age. I can imagine it would be very difficult to try and switch from the "I want" mindset after they're accustomed to a giant free for all Christmas.
We are striving to focus on the simple things: faith, family and memories. We want there to be less of a focus on gifts and Christmas lists. Christmas is much deeper than those reasons and we want our celebration to reflect this choice.
I recently found this idea online and we are going to try it this year on our girls, The Four Gift Rule.
My husband and I decided that we want to instill in our children the concept of a simple Christmas. One that consists less of the "I want" attitude. Honestly, we all have those tendencies, don't we?
Our oldest daughter just turned four this past week; I think it is important emphasizing this at an early age. I can imagine it would be very difficult to try and switch from the "I want" mindset after they're accustomed to a giant free for all Christmas.
We are striving to focus on the simple things: faith, family and memories. We want there to be less of a focus on gifts and Christmas lists. Christmas is much deeper than those reasons and we want our celebration to reflect this choice.
I recently found this idea online and we are going to try it this year on our girls, The Four Gift Rule.
I do love this idea! We kind of have an opposite theory ... Our kids do not get toys or present unless it is their birthday or Christmas. We don't buy toys or other items when we go to the store. If they want something my answer is simple...put it in your Christmas list or you have birthday// allowance money...this has really taught them the value of objects and how hard they work for their money and whether or not they want to spend it.
ReplyDeleteWith that said christmas is a bigger deal but I still try to really think about gifts and don't go to crazy.
We all get really involved with operation christmas child which is eye opening for older kids.
Again love this!!