I know, I SO know. I’m so happy my kids are into reading this year so I can buy them chapter books. The battle against cheap plastic crap and soul-deadening gadgets rages on…
I agree! We have always disliked mass produced plastic things that last a season. Almost all of the toys our daughter has are made of wood. The plastic world we live in is bothersome. Kids can’t get a good feel for real
Life textures that way.
This year we’ve chosen more wooden items and some classic stories and a pair of skates…oh and an iPod…no ones perfect right? Lol
I agree. Christmas presents really overshadow the feelings and true meaning behind Christmas.
We usually don’t buy each other gifts but get a big gift…like a toilet.
My husband refuses to buy gifts so that cuts down on any from that front. I bought the kids’ gifts this year and thought I did alright until I spent over 2 hours wrapping them last night. I may have gone overboard even if I tried not too. Still, we did the decorating the tree, the carols, the gingerbread house decorations, and attended church. I think they’re getting some other not consumer-y bits in this holiday.
Your Christmas wish is not too large! I think that the gifts are a factor in the happy childhood experience for the kids, but all the other activities do matter so much more.
By the time your kids leave your house, they will have had 18 Christmases with you showing them what is important. It’s hard to fight the rampant, plastic consumerism in our society, but I think the kids are listening to the message that parents give. Over time, our values will seep in.
My kids are performing in our church’s Christmas program this year (one daughter is Mary, the other is an angel — SO far from the truth! Kidding… a little). I’ve been using practicing as a way to reinforce the real message of Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Nicole, to you and your charming family!
I know what you mean, and I completely agree. Unfortunately, it’s so hard to get children to get past the excessive nature of our society. But gingerbread disasters may be a good start 🙂 I hadn’t thought of that one.