My child expects gifts, how can I teach them the true meaning of the season?
There are several ways to integrate the true meaning of the Christmas season into your family life. Giving gifts and embracing traditions can strengthen your family and provide wonderful memories. Giving and receiving gifts as children is not all bad: they can feel affirmed, valued, and loved by what they receive. It could be disheartening for a child to not get to experience the “magic” of presents under the tree. Children expecting gifts is not necessarily something to dread, but something to consider as you develop other opportunities to grow and learn as a family.
- Budget for your Christmas shopping and stick to your budget.
- Have children decide on charities to which they can shop and can donate presents.
- Have your children clean out the toy room and their closet in preparation. Insist on donating items as part of the advent season.
- Volunteer for a Christmas charity event.
- Do a community project in order to learn about a culture or sub-group different than you.
- Don’t just wrap up presents, but consider experiences. Purchase lessons, a getaway, a summer camp, or a family outing as part of Christmas.
- Purchase items that are practical and needed.
- Encourage your children to purchase gifts for others. For whom do they want to purchase a gift? Assist them in creating a budget and shopping for loved ones.
- Create home-made gifts or bake cookies as a family to give to others.
- Don’t buy items at will other times of the year so that gifts still hold a special meaning.
- Start a new holiday tradition that is special only to your family regarding spending time together and making memories.
- Research which Christmas traditions do symbolize the “true meaning” of Christmas. Learn about them together and implement them in your home.
- Make attending church and worship during December a priority.
- Read the scripture regarding the birth of Jesus throughout the month.
- Include Jesus’s birthday as part of your family’s birthday calendar.
- Engage in conversation about Christmas, what it means to you, what it should mean to your family, and how the true meaning of Christmas will be alive and well in your home this year.