|
|
CTC Readers' Poll:
|
|
"We have a large family with
ten children. We feel that it is important that we show our children
how to give good gifts and to bless those we love. We allow our
children to choose a name from a hat to buy a gift for each other.
We set a 10-20 dollar limit, hoping to find nicer things at sale
prices. I hope to continue this practice with their future spouses.
This way each sibling and each sibling's spouse will get one nice
gift. Of course we'll have to adjust the amount for inflation or
perhaps they'll want to spend more when they are grown. For our
children we give one educational or spiritual, one fun, and one
clothing gift. They make a small list of things they would like and
then we choose from the list. We find that few gifts give a much
greater appreciation. What we don't give in gifts we make up in fun
things to do. We have a tree trimming party with eggnog. We
traditionally eat a restaurant meal on Christmas Eve--early of
course because it less expensive. We might enjoy a family movie the
day after Christmas. Going to parties and church events make for an
exciting season! I am also having my children work on
different projects to give as gifts to relatives. Grandmothers and grandfathers
love things handmade or photo journals and things like that from
their grandchildren. Our homeschooling support group is having a
Christmas party for the kids and instead of a grab bag, we'll be
bringing food pantry items to donate." ~ Wendy
"I'm not sure how to scale back once you have already set
those expectations for your kids. My best advice is to not set up
those expectations in the first place. Before our boys were born, we
decided to get them 3 presents every year (I got this idea off of
the Internet). We get them one clothing item, one toy, and a food
item. They are only 2, but I think it will be great that they know
what to expect at Christmas. Three gifts can also be biblical in the
fact that Jesus got 3 gifts his first Christmas. That's not the
reason we chose to do this, but I like it. The boys get plenty of
gifts from other relatives, although I wish everyone would scale
back." ~Lura
"In our family, we have instituted two policies.
1. Only young children receive
gifts from adults.
2. No adults receive gifts.
Instead, we make a donation to charity, with a limit of $10 per
donated for each person NOT receiving a present. For example,
instead of spending large amounts of money, we will donate $20 ($10
per in-law) to charity." ~ Suzanne
"My husband and I decided when our first child was an infant that what was in his stocking was from Santa - and whatever was under the tree was from us or whoever else bought it. Santa gets the kids stickers and fun toothpaste, stuff that Mom would 'never' buy. Mom and Dad get the kids 'Flag Money,' which is their way of saying 'Savings Bonds.' We put the Savings Bond in the bank and they get the gift certificate. $25 can get a $50 bond so the kids think they are RICH! They also get several toys they want. I watch for sales to keep the costs down. Between the gifts they receive from us, grandparents and their favorite 'Auntie,' they have more than enough!
Also we focus on the REASON we
celebrate Christmas - Jesus' birthday - not for 'I want.'
Last year, the kids got out their party hats, we had birthday cake and
sang, 'Happy Birthday!' I think they had more fun with the party
we had -- spending the time with them, having them help with the cake
and decorations -- than if we gave them a pile of gifts! My
daughter (7) still talks about it and we are planning another party
this year!" ~ Karen
"I love going to the variety
of local thrift stores in my area for presents. So often you'll
find things brand new with tags still on them for 10% the cost in
the store. They always have lots of games, toys, great books,
frames, baskets for themed gifts, etc. Goodwill gets all of
Target's new items. Look for a nice store in a good
neighborhood and you wouldn't believe what people get rid of!
(When I wonder on this, my husband always says, 'Well, if someone
didn't buy it new, you wouldn't get it used!' :)
Also, children under 7 don't seem to care if there are not tags on
items or not. For example, I picked up 2 large bags of Barbie
clothes for my 4-year-old daughter last year for $1.40 each -- she
loved it and wouldn't have cared otherwise if things were new or
not! Thrift stores are also great places to find things to
re-purpose and gift, like wooden things to repaint, or nice wool
sweaters to unweave and then weave into something else! The
thrill of the hunt and the open creativity of possibilities makes
it a doubly fun trip! And cost saving and recycling too! YAY!
Merry Christmas all, especially those children!" ~
Danielle from Roseville, MN
"There are activities that my family does every year regardless of what our income may be then. Our children are now teenagers and still ask for these things every year. The first weekend of December we make a list of things we want to do throughout the month and fill in the calendar, beginning with the town's treelighting and parade. Then we include activities like the annual buying of a large dollar coloring book for them to color, reading a red velvet book with several Christmas stories in it annually, driving to enjoy the lights around town in pajamas with hot cocoa, having an open house, afternoon cookie-making teas with friends, volunteering for Operation Shoebox, and making cards to hand out to store clerks in the mall on the day we ring the Salvation Army bell for the kettle drive. If it is a financially-trying time, we take their presents and disperse them throughout the day, hiding a couple for them to find, filling the morning with other activities like a morning snowball fight, dessert for breakfast, etc. You could add reading a story, a movie when things calm down, special pampering like a braiding with pretty ribbons or cologne for the boys, phone calls to relatives or friends of good wishes, sledding, board games, when opening a present they must play charades to have others guess what it is (of course you would have to take turns and thus lengthening the time)." ~ Tina "I read this idea several places: Each child receives only 3 gifts each, just like Jesus. This is actually more challenging for me (our children are toddlers) because I have to narrow down all the great toys out there to only 3 each!" ~ Jan "We are taking a trip for the week after Christmas so I have told the kids that they are only getting three presents for Christmas just like Jesus. I have gotten no arguments. The gifts will also be something that will keep them occupied on our trip." ~ Marie "I would follow the the three gift concept ....Jesus received three nice gifts so everyone in the family would receive only three gifts. The children could pool their money to buy a parent one gift and the other two gifts would come from the spouse. I would naturally continue the tradition of the stockings. I would stuff them with small gifts and/or candy treats. My children would most likely receive gifts from extended family or friends. I think this idea is a wonderful way to teach the Christmas story, save money and offset the commercial frenzy surrounding this holiday!" ~ Janice "I’d
start by sitting down and discussing it with my kids.
They’re old enough now (teens) to understand these kinds
of things. Then I’d try to make sure each child got at
least one item that was something they really wanted. And
I’d ask the kids to help with possibly baking goodies to
give to others and/or making some items to give as gifts or
in making up service coupons' to give to each other. The
kids take turns doing dishes, so they could get several
coupons good for one night off. That kind of thing.
They’d enjoy being able to use those through the year. Editor's Note: Thanks to all these readers who took time to write! |
Home
Products and Resources
Speaking Engagements Nancy's
Itinerary |