Although this new tradition may not be popular with your family, it may help you reduce stress and keep more money in your wallet this Christmas. Just because you had a lot of gifts this year doesn’t mean you have to keep it that way. Your kids will acclimate to whatever you decide. You can also let them know in advance that you will not be buying as many gifts this year.
Instead, observe the tradition of the wise men, who, upon seeing Jesus, gave him three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Although there may not have been many gifts, the ones the Magi brought held deep meaning, as they gave all they had to welcome the Savior’s birth.
You can tell your kids you are doing only three gifts—they could be more expensive than having a lot of small gifts, or you could get them one or two sought-after gifts and be the hero this Christmas. Although Christmas should not be about gifts, it can be easy for your kids to get caught up in the excitement of receiving them. Teach them it is better to give than to receive by providing a few gifts with significant meaning rather than receiving. Remove the idea that receiving many gifts creates an experience of unwrapping numerous gifts, only to have them tossed in the closet within a month.
Another way to do this is to get one big gift that your whole family can enjoy. For example, give the gift of a trip or a family vacation. You can spread out the announcements by letting kids open small clues to the larger gift.
For example, if it is a trip to Disney World, have the kids unwrap a picture of cheese, then a clue about a cat, then Mickey ears to make the announcement. However you choose to do it, lengthen the experience by giving them clues to help them guess the gift. Your family will laugh along as they get the clues that, at the time, won’t make sense, but when put together, can make this Christmas extra special.
Although it can be scary to add new traditions at the expense of others this year, tradition can enhance our lives if we let it. Add a few new traditions this year, and in a few years, you may find these suggestions are like they’ve always been a part of your family’s holiday routine.
Photo credit: ©Unsplash/Simona Sergi
