In didn't take long, when our girls were much younger, to realize that we were experiencing a bit of overload during the holidays. We had many conversations on how to cut back and get them to think about the season and not get caught up in all the lists of what they wanted. We are blessed to have aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends who give our children gifts during Christmas and other times throughout the year.
I had heard so many wonderful family traditions from friends and through research online. But the one that stuck that seemed to fit our family was the Gift of 4. With four categories we are able to control our spending, their lists, help them put the focus on giving not receiving and celebrating holidays for what they are in meaning.
Our girls, get Something they Want, Something they Need, Something to Wear and Something to Read. They have learned to make lists with these categories in mind. It is now one of our traditions. I think families could maybe even come up with their own categories. I read once that some families choose three gifts just like baby Jesus getting three gifts from the Wise Men. The main point is that kids need to learn at a young age to be thankful for what they receive and not become numb to receiving.
I will forever be thankful we stumbled on to this idea and have tweaked it a little for us. I encourage everyone to look at how they give and receive during the holidays and how to take the pressure off of buying so much.
Onto the season of giving. Remember to find ways to give throughout the year. During Christmas encourage your children to take an angel off of a giving tree, or fill a shoe box for a young child, or pick one toy from all of their gifts to pay forward to a child in need. Help them see how they too can learn at a young age to give as well as to receive.
If you have a good idea or a tradition that helps encourage young children or helps your family budget do you spread the word?
