In my family, we go all out for Christmas, and I’m totally okay with that! Last year, my sister shared a snapshot on social media showcasing the mountain of gifts piled under her tree, and needless to say, the reactions were quite something. There were exclamations of “wow,” “geez,” and even a “holy cow!” I get it—the sheer volume of presents can be jaw-dropping. We even joked about whether the gifts had multiplied like rabbits! Still, I found myself feeling a bit self-conscious about the whole spectacle. I wanted to explain that the gifts were meant for nine people, and many were hand-me-downs from my sister’s older kids wrapped up just for fun. But my excuses felt weak, and I ended up feeling a little embarrassed about our extravagant Christmas.
This year, I promised myself I’d scale back. Fast forward to mid-December, and my closet is a veritable treasure trove of gifts, reminiscent of that scene in Entrapment where Catherine Zeta-Jones dodges lasers—only much less glamorous. I’ve been scrutinizing the kids’ wish lists, hoping to find something to return. (Yes, I even have a spreadsheet. Go ahead, roll your eyes!) But every single item will spark joy for my kids. I know they’ll cherish each doll, Lego set, and science kit. They’re incredibly grateful little ones!
I recently confessed to my husband about my guilt over being materialistic. He reassured me that we’re not materialistic at all. Christmas is the only time we really indulge our kids. Throughout the year, we don’t buy toys on a whim, and for birthdays, they either get just a couple of gifts or a fun family experience instead. He reminded me that we’re instilling the true values of Christmas in our children: love, gratitude, and family. We discuss how others live around the world and our responsibility to give back. We donate our time and resources to charity, making family time a priority all year long, not just during the holidays.
He also loves the thought that our kids will have unforgettable memories of chaotic Christmas mornings alongside these deeper values. Honestly, I feel the same way. My own childhood was filled with wild Christmases—wrapping paper flying everywhere and the sheer joy of believing in a magical figure who delivered gifts right into our living room. Those memories are precious to me, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
So why am I still grappling with guilt over that stack of presents? If I’m being honest, if no one knew about the gifts, I wouldn’t feel a twinge of shame. My guilt stems from worrying about the judgment of others. Social media is rife with posts from parents who boast about limiting their kids to a few presents or forgoing gifts altogether. Some even criticize those who give their kids lots of toys, claiming it promotes materialism or reflects poor parenting.
But here’s the truth: how we choose to celebrate holidays with our children is nobody else’s business. It’s unfair to judge someone’s parenting based on a single snapshot from one day of the year. Families like mine, who embrace the joy of big Christmases, aren’t doing it “wrong.” We simply have a tradition of celebrating in our own unique way, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a mountain of gifts to wrap! If you’re curious about home insemination topics, this link will guide you to more information. Plus, for those interested in the essentials, check out this resource for all your home insemination needs. And if you want to dive deeper into fertility, this website is an excellent resource.
To wrap it all up, big Christmases are a cherished tradition in my family, filled with love, joy, and gratitude. We celebrate in our own way, and I believe it’s the memories we create that truly count.