Giving the Gift of Time
My good internet buddie Megin wrote a paragraph (the last one) that I wholeheartedly agree with. Here is the link to the full post ‘My Package‘.
It’s sad but true that very few of the gifts one receives as a child are ever remembered. Sure, there are a few. I remember my little computer that I practised my spelling on, a particular doll and a sweet shop toy. So here we are, a lot of us worrying about the size of the piles (christmas prezzie piles!) and what the kids really remember is the days we used to go out in the car for a drive and play the ‘let’s get lost’ game, or enjoying picnic teas on eurovision song contest night.
Money can’t buy these memories.
If you can’t think of what to buy a kid for their birthday or christmas, give them the greatest gift of all. You. Plan a day out swimming, a special picnic, a trip to the zoo, a fun packed sleepover, visit to a farm, anything. It’s not all about money and toys. I read on a blog (I can’t remember which) of a Dad who had given his son twelve lunch vouchers. One for each month of the year. These vouchers entitled the young boy to a lunch out at the local burger bar with his Dad. Just him and his Dad, a time for them to enjoy each others company and chat about cars 
with no girls or distractions. I thought that was a great idea.
Megin is right about gifts for the mums and dads too. I have all I need right here.
Having the opportunity to do fun things with them, together, and one at a time is the greatest gift of all.
Perhaps I will take you up on your offer of that weekend mum, I think Erin will have a ball (we’ll do it in the summer!).
Megin says “I love and I hate this time of year for so many reasons” and I have to agree with her. Christmas done in the correct spirit, religious or not can be the highlight of the year. Unfortunately more often than not it is all about money, ridiculous amounts of presents with barely a thoughtful gift in sight. I have been guilty of this too, I am going to try much harder to put the magic back into christmas for my family. As Erin gets older I will remember the voucher idea, making and baking will be as much a part of christmas as the gifts, handmade gifts will be as valued as shop bought gifts and the ethos of Christmas being a time for family will be reinforced at our christmas eve party. Merry Christmas!
Now that my daughter is a little older, I’m really enjoying doing holiday activities with her. We have something planned every weekend until Christmas!
Hear! Hear!
I have the same feelings about experiences being more valuable than things.
Each of my kids is getting three gifts for Christmas, but there is only one “toy” in each pile. The rest are about ways we spend time together in our daily lives: books, art projects, etc.
I am right where you are. This Christmas we are being very deliberate in what we buy. Our extended family came to agreement on who gifts will be bought for, and spending limits. We will give each other fewer material gifts, and focus on more time together.
posted on behalf of Holly (via email)
Thanks for sharing such a valid and important concept. At the bottom of all
the blue smoke stands the truth that all our kids ever really want from us is
quality time spent with them. One of my kids favorite things to do is help
bake holiday cookies and make gingerbread homes because it’s a special thing we
do each year as a family. And you’re right, you can’t memories like those!
My kids are making a lot of presents this year! FUN!
One of my daughter’s favorite things to do is jump me or mom right when I’m getting ready to run errands and force us to take her with. She just likes walking around the stores or whatever with us even though we never buy anything for her on the trips.
My favorite part of Christmas as a kid was watching the adults try to figure out how to get the toys out of the packaging and assemble them. What I wouldn’t give for a video camera and a time travel machine.
I completely agree. The best memories I have from my childhood christmases are of the things I did with my family and the stuff we did, I only remember a few of the gifts I received.
One thing a friend of mine did was name a star for her daughter for Christmas one year. I am sure she will remember that for a long time to come.
It seems that a lot of people are feeling the same way
I hope that if I start the way I mean to continue Erin will get used to Christmas not just being about presents.
I think the best way for our kids to not get consumed with the commericialization of the holidays is for us as parents not to. They are watching our every move and action. Another one of those times when what we do and how we treat an occasion goes a lot farther than what we say about it. I’m gonna do my best!
Sound advice Kerri
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