Is it possible to break a 15 yr tradition with your children and not give presents for Christmas? Ever done?

Question

I was just thinking of making it possible to enjoy the Christmas season without going bankrupt. Would the kids hate us or appreciate the season more? Two of my children already know about Santa. The other two are old enough that it wouldn't hurt them to know the truth. Would I be wrong for changing the tradition in mainstream? Any ideas how to go about doing it?

Answer 1

Absolutely...And have done it and now sharing the Good news with you....Last year we had a Old fashion Christmas..Was the best Christmas I can remember...Everyone...had to make every present..No Store bought presents allowed..We all felt like you..too much $ and not enough enjoyment .. Some of the gifts given where candles, the loom pot holders, cookies in a jar, homemade hard tack candy, crayon drawings...Just a great holiday..I recommend it for everyone to try it...

Answer 2

It's very possible and a bright idea too. Money and material presents aren't everything, and children do understand that well. The best way to ease into this tradition would be to give each other token gifts - nothing very expensive, and preferrably self made. You could plan a day where everyone has to make something with their own hands for the others, a secret special thing, personalized and unique.How about a day of social service with the entire family, and then gifts to the less privileged? Or you could all plan a trip and do something special like cook a meal and sing songs

Answer 3

Probably not a great idea to do away with it all together and put them into culture shock. Might be best to limit each child to a particular dollar amount within your budget and stick to it. Usually
kids only really like or play with one or two items anyway and you can hit the dollar store for a lot of things as filler.

I personally don't think it is a good idea to spoil Santa before a child is 12. I told my son many years ago that Santa only delivers to kids under 12 and he was not disappointed when he did not receive anything from Santa. Kids need a little bit of magic in their lives if you can spare it.

Only way I can think of to stop altogether and keep in the true spirit of Christmas is to "adopt" a family at Christmas time (your local United Way or homeless or battered women's shelter could assist you in finding one) that match your children's ages and let them donate their gently used items and a new item or two (stick to a budget...again, the dollar or an outlet store are great for this) and have them pick one, and only one, gift or better yet, one very well thought out gift. within budget that they want for Christmas morning. I didn't have much this past Christmas but knew my son had an interest in skateboarding and I invested in a used board off a E-Bay. He said it was his best Christmas ever.

Answer 4

No, are you serious? Sign up at Salvation Army if you don't have the money, but even the poorest person gives presents at Christmas. Go to the dollar store. It sounds like you either had a rough childhood and doing the same thing to your children . Do you smoke? Do you Drink? Are you too ill to work? Go to your local churches and put yourself on a list for toys. Every Mother I know regardless of how poor always try to let their children have Christmas, so I don't think you should break a 15 year tradition or even think about it.

Answer 5

Wow tough question. I knew a person in elementary school that didn't celebrate Christmas. I think it was due to religion.
I don't honestly know how it will affect them. But if you think they can handle the Truth I would consider that.

Santa Claus is a lie used to make kids behave. Why not teach your kids to behave using rewards (physical and emotional) to encourage them to do good before using discipline them.

Find inexpensive ways to celebrate the spirit of the season. You have shown the forethought of asking the question now. A good explanation and some creativity could create a great Christmas and keep you from going bankrupt and trying to accommodate businesses during shopping season.

Good Luck!! and Merry Christmas.

PS if you are religious, then research when Christ was actually born. If I remember correctly, an English King began "celebrating" Christmas during December for political reasons. Why not celebrate his actual birthday.

Answer 6

You may never be able to go without exchanging at least one gift.....but the tradition can be changed. Our family talked about no gifts for yrs....we finally tried it. The result? Great! We now get each other only one gift. We save money, and the one gift means so much more to us.
Kids get way too much for Christmas now, so they end up wanting more and more.....
Believe me, if you can change holiday traditions, it will release the whole family from a lot of stress. I think your family would appreciate it more.

Answer 7

You could give it a go, but I wouldn't want to be in your house for the festive season. Your kids would be so moody and miserable because they have been given nothing for Christmas. Not a nice atmosphere.

I know Christmas should be more about celebrating Jesus, but even he got presents for Christmas. I'm sure you could come up with great gifts that don't cost the earth.

Answer 8

I wouldn't give nothing. That'd kind of like ruin the fun altogether.
But....Last year we told our two kids that they were old enough now that we are going to go more basic from now on. It's taken the stress out, we focus more on each other and family and the reason for the season now. It's actually been a nice change, and I don't think they're disappointed. They still get just as much stuff, and they know that, it's just spread out over the year now. My kids are 16 and 13. I think it's best to go that route when they get older........but it sounds like my kids are older than yours.

Answer 9

Honestly, your kids probably will be just a little disapointed by not reciving prestents under the tree, but it would mostlikely be better for them in the long run, you would be setting a great example to not buy into comercialisum. Besides if they have relitives (grandparents, aunts, uncles ect.) wouldn't they get gifts from them.

Answer 10

I was 11 when I didn't get any presents that year. We drove to grandmas for the holiday so I think mom spent the money on the trip. It was embarrassing telling kids at school but I got over it I think.