It is astonishing how many toy catalogs arrive in the mail this month! How do these people know I have kids and obtain my mailing address?!
I blame the NSA.
Songbird will lay on the floor with a pen and circle nearly every item inside to put on her “Christmas List.” Hey, at least it keeps her busy for 30 minutes. But as much as she enjoys those magazines, there’s another one she gets equally excited about.
It seems impossible to completely shelter our kids from this nation’s “gimme” culture. But there are things we can do to curb it.
As a family we have decided that Christmas in our home is about time together, traditions, and the birth of Christ. Not gifts. The focus isn’t on how much piles up under the tree, but rather what happens around it. We do not exchange gifts with aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, or even grandparents. (Birthdays are fair game, however).
Each family member gets just 3 presents – one from each other member. Oh, and Santa also fills stockings with small trinkets.
One of our Christmas traditions is the act of giving. The last 2 years when the World Vision catalog arrives, we spend a little time reading to Songbird about the needs of others. It sparks some very interesting educational conversations. She has such a compassionate soul and her exuberance leads to a sea of red sharpie circles.
Just as we each unwrap 3 presents Christmas morning, we also pick 3 gifts to give to families in need around the world through the help of World Vision. This year Songbird chose a goat, a share in a Mongolian Ger (yeah, I had to read the deets on that one too), and a newborn care kit. We want our kids to know that regardless the depth of their resources, they should always be seeking to use their blessings to benefit others.
After all, the greatest Christmas gift had humble beginnings too.
Someone should probably tell her coins don’t go over well with the post man…
