Respecting Kids and Christmas Presents
Does having a simple Christmas sound good? It does to me.
This year, like last year and the one before, I wanted to announce that I’m not buying a lot of Christmas presents. I thought about saying that I’m not buying any at all. I didn’t want to think and think until the perfect gift ideas came to mind. I wanted to avoid battling my way around the shops or websites looking for everything at a good price. If I’d decided not to buy any gifts, think of all the money I’d have saved. And what about the long and tedious task of wrapping everything up?
Instead of worrying about gifts, I could have concentrated only on the spiritual side of Advent. For once, I could have prepared for Christmas without the distraction of present shopping.
Even though it was tempting, I chose not to eliminate the present giving side of Christmas. I’m doing all the things that I find difficult.
A few years ago, I found this quote: by Eugene Boylan in his book, This Tremendous Lover:
“… consider for a moment the sacrifices the parents have to make, to make Christmas all that tradition says it should be for their children. The expense, the worry, the trouble, the patience, the fatigue, the bitterness of financial limitations to one’s power of gratifying a child’s dream – the list is endless.
Think alone what is involved in Christmas shopping, where a large family and a small income are involved. And the thought can easily arise, especially for the ‘detached’ Christian: Is it all worth it? Of course, it is all worth it. It is done in memory of Christ; it is done to build up an idea of Christ; It is done for Christ; it is done to Christ! Amen, I say to you whatsoever you did to these my least brethren, you did it to me. When the New Year brings an end to those halcyon days for the children, this service done to Christ is the consolation that the parents should have in facing the expense…”
I included it in a blog post and then I wrote:
And I realise that every Christmas is an opportunity to make sacrifices for others. Christmas is not about reducing the workload or stress for myself. It’s about doing things out of love, making others happy and putting smiles on little faces. This is part of my spiritual Christmas preparation.
So I have done the difficult job of choosing just the right gifts within my budget for all my loved ones. I have hidden them away out of sight of excited children. I will wrap them carefully, and on Christmas Eve I will lay them under the tree.
On Christmas morning, my children’s eyes will light up with anticipation. They will tear off the wrappings, and arms will thrust themselves around me in tight hugs and I will hear the words, “I love you, Mum! Thank you!” And all the work and sacrifice will be worth it because it was done out of love, for those I love, and especially for Love.
Even though they are no longer small, my children’s faces will still light up on Christmas morning. When they unwrap the presents that I’ve chosen with care, I will still hear the words, “I love you, Mum! Thank you!” Like always, I know the work and sacrifices will be worth it.
I spoke about Christmas presents in my latest podcast, episode 143.
In Respecting Kids and Christmas Presents, I’m discussing the following questions:
Is it the right of every child to be respected?
How do we show respect to children?
Do we sometimes do things for our kids only because we want them to do things for us?
Is it okay to buy and enjoy giving Christmas presents?
Is it okay to look forward to receiving them?
Can choosing and giving presents be an act of love?
Also:
I’m sharing some news about my unschooling book
I tell two stories, one about respecting children, and the other about perfect Christmas presents and love
Show Notes
Blog Posts
My Perfect Christmas Present Secret
Making an Aussie Bush Christmas Tree
YouTube
Imogen’s Christmas Music Playlist
Photo
I took this photo a couple of years ago just before Charlotte, Gemma-Rose, Imogen, Andy and Callum sang The Carol of the Bells together. My daughter Sophie isn’t in the photo because she was filming the video!
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I published this podcast a few days ago. Unfortunately, it has taken me a while to write the accompanying blog post. Life is very busy at the moment. Maybe yours is too! If you’d like to hear about my podcasts as soon as they go live, you could subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Podbean or your favourite podcast app.
Please feel welcome to leave a comment about anything I talked about in this episode. Perhaps you have a Christmas present story you could share. Or just stop by and say hello!