As a parent, it is so easy to find yourself drowning in Christmas gifts and toys. Blocks, books, dolls, stuffed animals, toy cars. You name it, our family probably owns it. So how do you avoid an influx of unneeded toys during the holidays? How do you avoid breaking the bank as you purchase gifts for your babies? Here are some of my tips!
1. Provide family members with suggestions on what gifts to buy your children for Christmas
As with many aspects of parenting, communication is key with this suggestion. Communicating gift ideas allows you to invite your extended family into your immediate family culture. If you prioritize minimalism or know your kids’ interests are aimed in a particular direction, providing gift suggestions can help others understand your family’s philosophy surrounding gifts and help them get to know your kiddos a bit better.
2. Focus on giving.
One of the things we are going to do this Christmas is give to others. I don’t say that to boast, but to instead encourage you to join in. We desire for our family to be others-centered and, as parents, we desire to teach our children those principles at a young age. And the best way for them to learn is by giving alongside us and being included in the process. That being said, our girls will select a gift through Compassion International to give to our sponsor child or another family in need this season. Giving can also be incorporated in ways such as giving home baked goodies to neighbors or serving at a soup kitchen during the holiday season.
3. Experiences are amazing!
Sometimes the things that make the biggest difference in day-to-day life are the experiences you share together. When finances allow, we love to buy our girls passes to local museums (Children’s Museum, Nature and Science Museum, etc.) as well as passes to the zoo. This allows us to get out of the house and enjoy some fun activities together year round. Those memories last way longer than toys!
4. Limit the amount of gifts you buy for each child.
Like any other parent, I desire to spoil my children on Christmas. I look forward to when they open the gifts we’ve purchased for them with excitement in their eyes. The wonder in their eyes as they see the present filled tree. But I also know that the more toys they own, the less creative they tend to be. Studies have shown that the fewer the toys, the higher the imagination and free play. Armed with that knowledge and aware of our financial boundaries, my husband and I chose to give each child 2 gifts this year.
5. Allow traditions to take the forefront
Bouncing off of the idea of giving experiences to our children, traditions can allow the holiday season to provide a sense of warmth, security, and joy that toys can never provide. When the focus starts to shift to how many gifts are under the tree, refocus your family on the meaning of the holiday. Allow space for things like baking cookies together or watching Christmas movies or going to the Christmas Eve service to hold more weight in your home and conversations than presents.
6. Donate!
Lastly, one way to reduce clutter and toy overwhelm in your home is to give toys away. As your kiddos receive new items with which to play, encourage them to find an item to donate or gift to a friend. Doing so allows for healthy conversations surrounding need versus want and can help guide them towards caring for those around them, both during the holidays and all year long.
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