Every holiday season, I come across that familiar post. You know the one — it has that self-righteous tone, often from those who pride themselves on their holiday purity. These individuals, who might not be devoutly religious but are undoubtedly reflective about “the true meaning of Christmas,” usually have their favorite soundtrack of Christmas carols playing in the background. They lament the materialism, the rampant consumerism, and the chaotic rush of December. They point fingers at the credit card debt accumulated in the name of Santa Claus and proudly declare that their children will receive a grand total of four gifts, neatly summarized in a preschool rhyme: something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.
To which I respond with a resounding “no way.”
From the very first wise man who presented gold to the Christ Child, Christmas has always involved presents. Jesus received gold, frankincense, and myrrh — gifts that were certainly lavish and well beyond the means of most parents. Joseph would have likely had to take on debt for years just to afford those items. The tradition of generous gift-giving is as old as Christmas itself. Even the little drummer boy contributed what little he had; he didn’t shy away from celebrating the occasion because he felt broke.
In keeping with this time-honored tradition, my kids can expect a bounty of gifts this year. And I’m not talking about a few token items either; I mean plenty of presents. They’ll get loads of what they wish for, perhaps one or two essentials, but nothing boring like clothing, and certainly plenty of books.
The majority of their gifts will be things they’ve been longing for. My middle child will be drowning in dinosaur toys, while my youngest will revel in a colorful mound of Play-Doh. My oldest might find some classic Nintendo games among his gifts. And let’s not even get started on the piles of Matchbox cars, plastic dinosaurs, and Legos they’ll receive (the baby will get some cool Minifigs, of course).
This doesn’t even take into account what their grandparents and godparents will shower upon them. They will be surrounded by a mountain of gifts. And let me be clear: there’s no jolly old elf involved here. All presents come from us; I’m not handing off credit for our generosity to a mythical figure.
I refuse to waste Christmas on buying my children necessities. That’s something I do throughout the year, and it hardly feels festive to disguise them as gifts. Do you really want to hand your child a graphing calculator and say “Merry Christmas”? The same goes for clothing. I won’t be wrapping up socks or underwear — that just feels cruel.
For children, Christmas is about the excitement of receiving gifts. While we do our best to explain the significance of the holiday, it’s challenging for them to grasp the deeper meaning. Sure, we teach them about kindness and goodwill, but let’s be honest: what captivates their attention is the allure of presents. They adore the Christmas tree because that’s where the gifts are placed. They get excited about Santa because he’s the one who brings the goodies (at least in our case, my kids will be thanking us, not some fictional character, on Christmas morning). The entire season is filled with talk about gifts, with advertisements showcasing enormous red bows, and everyone asking, “What do you want for Christmas?”
So we embrace this spirit without any shame. This doesn’t imply that we lack compassion for families facing hardships or that we harbor resentment towards those who prefer a minimalist approach. Receiving gifts is a vital part of the Christmas experience, just as family meals, my mom’s famous nut roll, my husband’s oyster casserole, and the timeless classic A Christmas Story are. It’s also essential to engage in our faith, to volunteer, and to support those less fortunate. But let’s not overlook the joy of simply receiving presents. That’s why, come Christmas morning, we ensure our kids are showered with gifts.
This isn’t about avoiding disappointment. They would still find joy even with only a few gifts. (Having a pile of presents doesn’t make my kids spoiled.) Christmas is about the magic of little ones in matching pajamas running into the living room, eyes wide with wonder, exclaiming, “Wow! Thanks, Mom! Thanks, Dad!” as they tear into their gifts amidst a flurry of wrapping paper.
So here we will be, under the mistletoe and amidst our festive decorations, reveling in the joyous chaos of gift-giving — far beyond just something to want, need, wear, or read.
It’s fun. It’s magical. It’s Christmas!
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Summary
Christmas is not just about giving; it’s equally about the joy of receiving. While some advocate for a minimalist approach to holiday gifting, the tradition of generous gift-giving has been a part of Christmas since its inception. Children love the excitement of presents, and as parents, it’s essential to embrace that joy. After all, the magic of Christmas lies in the thrill of unwrapping gifts and creating lasting memories with family.