how to :: what we are doing to simplify christmas gift giving this year

“Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat… please do put a penny in the old man’s hat.”

Who am I kidding? I’m the goose that is getting fat! With the holiday season already upon us, the smell of baking and delicious treats are wafting through the air… and boy are they hard to resist!

For many, Christmas is a time of excess. Overindulgence seems to be the theme during the holiday season. We eat too much food… and we give too many presents! Christmas is supposed to be about the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, He has gotten lost amidst the hustle and bustle of the busy season. So this year, I am going to strive and simplify Christmas again and instill in my children the TRUE meaning of Christmas!

It always amazes me every year the number of people out scrambling around the stores looking for the perfect presents. Black Friday is becoming so “important” to people, that Black Friday has leaked into our Thankful Thursday. The focus has become presents… presents… and MORE presents.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE to shop and buy gifts for my children. I love to give them gifts because I love them. BUT what I don’t want is for Christmas to become all about the presents.So to simplify Christmas this year, we are going to focus on 4 meaningful gifts for each of our children. This concept is nothing new, but I think it will be a great thing to implement for my family, and I hope it is an encouragement to yours!

“Something they WANT, something they NEED, something to WEAR, and something to READ.”

WANT: This is the “big” ticket item… the item that your children have had their eye on for the past several months. This is the one they scour the shopping add for, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite thing! It’s not bad to “indulge” a little, and giving them what their heart desires is part of the fun of gift giving!

NEED: Is there something that your child needs? From as simple as a new hairbrush/toothbrush to a new jacket, get them something that they need and will use!

WEAR: Let’s face it. Kids grow like weeds! It seems like you blink and their pants are too short or their shirts are too small. I have heard of people buying fun “Christmas jammies” for all of their children (something special to wear on Christmas Eve). Whatever it is you decide on, your child will eventually grow into it! ☺

READ: Books are a wonderful tool for enhancing your child’s mind and expanding their imagination. Books such as Itsy Bitsy Christmas, My Nativity, or Parable Treasury are wonderful additions to your home library. Do you feel like your child has too many books? (though I’m not convinced that’s possible! Haha), Get your child something educational that will help them learn and grow.

I’m planning on simplifying Christmas this year. How do YOU plan on simplifying your holiday season?

If you are in need of some great book options for this time of year, Itsy Bitsy Christmas and Parable Treasury are all phenomenal options from Thomas Nelson!!