If you ask most any child old enough, what the true meaning of Christmas is, you'll likely get the answer of Santa & presents. I think it's sad that's what Christmas means to most kids, and sadly their parents who shower them with hundreds, or even thousands of dollars worth of gifts. We have decided that we want our children to learn differently and we want to try and take a completely different approach. I know that many of the parents reading this right now are likely snickering and saying "yah, whatever." But, to those who really know us, they will know that we believe in what we think and say and try to live our life to our standards...not the standards of others.
While we are not overly religious people, we do have faith and belief in our lives. We talk about it together, don't push our beliefs on others and feel we have a great balance in our life. So one of the things we want our children to know is that Christmas isn't only about Santa and presents. It's about celebrating the birth of Jesus (because that's what we believe...and we know not everyone reading agrees), about giving to those who are less fortunate than us, it's about spending time with those we love, it's about caring, sharing & love and as an added bonus, we get to enjoy the magic of Santa and the gifts he brings us for being good all year long.
I find it sad to see parents who spend so much money on showering their kids with dozens upon dozens of gifts...things they don't need and end up not even appreciating because they simply get too much. We've already discussed that our children will get to open one gift on Christmas Eve (which will likely be pajamas) and then on Christmas day they will get a stocking, one big gift from Santa, a couple of gifts from mommies and that's about it. With such a large family, we know they are going to get way too much from Grandparents, Aunts & Uncles and all of our friends who our are extended family. We want our kids to be appreciative...not greedy.
We also want our kids to grow up with the heart for giving. We want them to think of those less fortunate (not just at Christmas) and will gladly help them become compassionate little people. The Christmas Shoebox program is a great example of something we will do with our kids. You fill a shoebox full of toys, school supplies & toiletries and they are sent to kids less fortunate around the world. And that's only one of the hundreds of ideas there are to help those less fortunate. What a wonderful thing to do and what a wonderful thing to teach children.
We also feel that during the holidays is a great time to gather up old clothing & toys and donate them to those less fortunate. Because they are going to get so much at Christmas, it's the perfect time to get rid of things we no longer need. And if we involve our children in this giving process and teach them about the importance of helping others, they will grow up to be such wonderful little people with big hearts.
We also don't want our children to see dollar signs at Christmas. It shouldn't be about how much you've spent on someone or how much they've spent on you. Gifts and giving should be thoughtful and come from the heart. Rhonda & I love the thought of a handmade Christmas, but we also know it's unrealistic to think our families will participate because not everyone is crafty and not everyone has the time or will take the time. But we will encourage our children to make things as Christmas gifts. We want them to be proud of their abilities and think it will be much more meaningful to see the faces as their loves ones open gifts they have made. I can just see their little beaming faces because they are proud of what they've made, knowing it will put a smile on the faces of the receiver, be it Mommy or even Grandparents. Gifts like this are much more meaningful for everyone involved.
There is so much magic at Christmas and we want our kids to grow up with warm fuzzy memories, just like we did. Neither Rhonda or myself was showered with anything and everything we wanted and I'm grateful for that. We still love Christmas and all of the traditions we remember so dearly. And we can't wait to make meaningful memories with our kids. Memories we hope they will pass along to their children.
Hoping everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Our little neice Rebecca ended up at the Childrens Hospital over the holidays so it was a bit of a stressful Christmas, praying that she got stronger quickly. She & her family were supposed to be with us for Christmas but it just didn't turn out that way. Her health was way too important and there will be other Christmases to share. Thankfully she's doing great and growing stronger each day. She may even get to go home today.
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| Auntie Crystal & Becca just before she left for the Children's Hospital on Dec. 24 |
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| Auntie Rhonda & Becca on Dec. 24 |
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| Becca in the Children's Hospital in Edmonton |
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| Santa visited the Children's Hospital on Christmas Day and brought some presents for Becca and her big brother Jesse |
~Crystal
As you are aware I am so proud of both of you. I love how you are going to handle your Christmas'. Our kids have been well aware of the meaning of Christmas as they attended Sunday school growing up and were always in the Christmas pageants. As well every Christmas morning before presents were opened I would read the Christmas story from the Bible. This was something my Mom always did and I still do it today. Actually Savannah has read it for us the last few years. God has been very good to us so it is nice to share with those less fortunate. Dean and his kids have been giving clothing to the Women's Shelter since the kids were little. Len,Tessa and the girls shared toys and clothes with the Women's Shelter and then went to bring some Christmas cheer to the Group home where Len used to work. The girls are great little givers and very thrifty shoppers always buying gifts at yard sales which I think is fantastic. You two are going to be such great parents!
ReplyDeleteThanks Auntie Jo!! We really hope to be good parents. :) And I love how you're passing along Grandma's tradition. That's the best gift you can give your family. <3 xoxo
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