Every holiday season, I encounter a familiar narrative. It’s often delivered with an air of superiority, typically by those who consider themselves Christmas purists. These aren’t just people of faith; they are individuals who have pondered deeply about “the true meaning of Christmas,” often while blasting the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Carol of the Bells.” They criticize materialism, denounce excess, and lament the hustle and bustle of December, along with the financial burdens that accompany the festivities. In their self-righteous declarations, they claim their children will receive precisely four gifts, neatly summarized in a preschool rhyme: something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read.
To this, I say a cheerful “no thanks.”
From the moment the first wise man presented gold to the infant Jesus, Christmas has always been about the gifts. Jesus was given gold, frankincense, and myrrh—luxurious items far beyond the means of most parents. Joseph would have needed to max out his Jerusalem Mastercard for years to cover that expense. The tradition of giving generously at Christmas is as old as the holiday itself. Even the little drummer boy contributed what little he had; he didn’t sit back and claim he couldn’t afford to celebrate.
So, in the spirit of that little baby Jesus, my children will be receiving gifts this year—lots of them. We’re talking about an abundance of presents: mainly things they desire, maybe a couple of essentials, nothing to wear, and plenty of reading material.
Their wish lists will be filled with items they crave. My middle child will revel in a sea of Spinosaurus figures, my youngest will be lost in a mountain of Play-Doh, and my oldest may find some retro Nintendo games under the tree. Plus, there will be Matchbox cars, plastic dinosaurs, and Legos galore (though the baby will get cute Minifigs).
This doesn’t even account for the gifts from their grandparents and godparents. They’ll be swimming in an ocean of presents. And just to be clear: no Santa in our house. All these gifts come straight from us. I’m not letting a jolly old elf take credit for my hard work.
I refuse to waste Christmas on essential items. I buy those daily, and it’s far more enjoyable to give gifts that bring joy. What am I supposed to do? Hand them a graphing calculator and say “Merry Christmas?” The same applies to clothing; I’m not wrapping socks and underwear. That just seems cruel.
For kids, Christmas is all about the gifts. The religious aspect can be a bit complex for them to grasp, though we do our best to instill our beliefs. “Peace on earth and goodwill to men”? Perhaps. But if we’re being real, kids are more focused on the excitement of receiving presents than on understanding deeper themes.
Sure, we can say Christmas is a time for kindness, but let’s face it: kids are primarily excited about the gifts. They adore the Christmas tree because that’s where all the presents go. They love talking about Santa because he’s the one delivering the goodies (for us, it’s a different story; my kids will be thanking me, not a fictional character, on Christmas morning). Everywhere they look, there are messages asking, “What do you want for Christmas?”
So, we fully embrace this joy, and I make no excuses for it. That doesn’t mean we lack compassion for families facing hardships or disdain those who choose a more minimalist approach.
Receiving gifts is an essential part of Christmas, but so are family gatherings, my mom’s renowned nut roll, my husband’s oyster casserole, and endless viewings of holiday classics. Attending church and honoring the Christ Child (the one who receives all those gifts) is important too. So is volunteering and helping those in need. But at its core, Christmas is also about enjoying the thrill of unwrapping presents.
This isn’t about avoiding disappointment for my kids. They’d be content with just a few gifts. (Celebrating Christmas with lots of presents doesn’t make them spoiled.) It’s about the excitement of kids in matching pajamas bursting into the living room and exclaiming, “Wow! Thanks, Mom! Thanks, Dad!” as they tear into their gifts.
So here we will be, enveloped in the joy of giving, surrounded by the warmth of family and the chaos of gift-giving. It’s fun, it’s magical, and it’s what makes Christmas so special.
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In summary, while Christmas is traditionally viewed as a time for giving, it’s equally important to embrace the joy of receiving. Kids treasure the excitement of gifts, and this season is about creating magical memories for them, while also instilling values of generosity and compassion.