Photo: Coffee + Carpool
One of my best friends + I have slowed down the gift giving to each other over the years + since having kids the past few years have been focused on doing gifts for just them. But this year when she asked me for ideas about what to get my kids I suggested not doing any gifts but instead spending a day out with the older ones {since we’re almost always one-on-one with the babies} and do dinner + a movie with them. Our oldest kids are 3 + 4 and my theory is that if we begin to nip the unnecessary gift giving in the bud now, they won’t grow up to be expecting things from people just because it’s Christmas. We also decided that having a truly meaningful day with our children with provide many more memories for all of us than a toy they will get bored of or clothes they will grow out of.
When we started brainstorming ideas of what to do on our special day it turned into still buying toys but decided that we are going to take the kids out to a store + have them pick out a few gifts for kids in need. Our church has a tree where you can pick a family to purchase Christmas gifts for so we took an ornament for each child {even for the babies} and those children will be who we choose a gift for. Afterwards we will be taking them to see The Star movie then out for a dinner treat. I’m going to be realistic + not expect everything to go smoothly {fully anticipating meltdowns over not getting a toy for themselves} but I am hopeful that this will be the first step in teaching our children about giving + serving others rather than focusing on what they want for Christmas.
Next year I would also like for the kids to put together an Operation Christmas Child shoebox which are distributed worldwide to bless kids in need and make cards for sick kids at local hospitals.
Another tradition that we will be starting at home this year is The Giving Manger. I saw it last year but it sold out so quickly that we were unable to get it. It is sold out again but keep an eye out for next year! Your child earns pieces of straw for each service they do + with that straw they build a bed for baby Jesus. This helps our children see what good works do for others + how it helps their relationship with Jesus + it makes them actively think about service deeds to perform which will hopefully turn into doing them organically every day…not just leading up to Christmas.
If there is one thing I have begun to realize in life it’s that everything is fleeting. You can have all you’ve ever wanted one day + the next be hard-pressed to be paying bills or missing a loved one. My intention is to love those who have been brought into my life; raise kind, thoughtful children who maintain those qualities into adulthood; and to put as much goodness into this world as possible.
Have you started any special traditions with your children? What are some ways you have taught them to think of others? Do you have any favorite suggestions for service ideas? I’d love to hear them all!