Parents’ Panel: How We Celebrate the Holidays
Our family travels a lot to see family since no one lives close. We pack a cooler with treats and drinks, two backpacks full of toys, and the necessities. We sing silly songs, discuss family stuff, tell stories, sing along to the radio. We decided not to have a DVD player or TV in the car so we don't miss out on making great travel and holiday memories.
Giving kids opportunities to be involved in hobbies or activities takes away quite a bit of the "need" for every toy they see.
We limit our presents to 3, a somewhat difficult task for the grandparents. We buy them something practical, like socks, and then something educational, like a book, and then the requested toy.
Are you including electronics like the Nano, Wii and Xbox 360, and cell phones? I have two preteens. I wish they could watch a Toys 'R' Us commercial and say, "I would like that toy for Christmas," and that toy would be a Barbie or a bicycle and maybe Santa Claus would come down the chimney. That would be like a "Miracle on 34th Street."
It's not to say that our children don't believe in Santa, but they don't expect his reindeer to carry a ton of toys just for them. He would not have enough room in his sleigh for toys for the kids who really need them.
To get past the commercialism of the holidays, we spend a lot of time focusing on our faith. Our 4-H club has a food drive and sings at a nursing home each December, and that helps as well, seeing other kids doing for others at this time of year.
I would love to get past the commercialism, but it is also my bread and butter. I am a retail-store manager and this is the season we work so very hard for. Maybe some day I can be a normal person this time of year!