Christmas is coming in about a month. And I have a challenge for you.
Instead of spending money on gifts, why not take your family on an overnight adventure into the woods or somewhere you have never ventured. Kids want their parents, not stuff.
Oh, they will give you a list a mile long if you let them, but truth be told, all they really want is you. We need to teach our kids the right perspective on “stuff”, and relate to them that relationships are much more important than material possessions. The way we do this is to spend quality AND quantity time with them.
I remember when I was growing up, all I wanted was my Dad to play softball with me and the neighborhood guys. He did on occasion, but it was never enough for me.
To help and inspire you to lessen the gifts and give more of you the Giver, here is an article that is right on the money when it comes to stuff and what it does to our space, schedule and spirits.
Writer Myquillyn Smith says this: “Without realizing it, I had unofficially taken on another career. I was becoming a Stuff Manager, and here was my job description: Look through stuff, put away stuff, organize stuff, feel guilty because I haven’t organized other stuff, fuss at my kids about their stuff, wade through misplaced stuff in our garage, pile up stuff on the table, pack away stuff and move around stuff. Ask my husband where he put his stuff, and sort, wash and dry other stuff. Then, I would dream about more stuff that I wanted and the bigger house I “needed” so it could hold more stuff because I thought our house was too small.”
Have the best Christmas ever, especially if you make a new commitment to give your presence and not your presents to your kids this year.