how do you explain to your children that their isn't going to be any presents for christmas?

Question

i explain to them every year the true meaning of christmas. i'm so
ashame because i know they will still expect to have something
i already explain why we don't have a christmas tree. which was
ok with them ,they are still asking for gifts please help!

Answer 1

The most wonderful way to express the true meaning of Christmas without spending money, buying expensive gifts or deciding whose present is best, is, in my opinion, to have everyone sit down and prepare something for the rest of the family... a drawing, a song, some crafts... You are being thoughtful and giving of yourself.

Please remember that our Lord gave us the biggest gift of all... we can all give something to others :)

This is a lovely story some friends have shared with me... I hope it helps

True Meaning of Christmas

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out next to the fireplace.

"What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement . . .

"TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children!

Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten. "Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection."

He then pulled from his bag an ORNAMENT of himself. "Teach the children that I, Santa Claus, symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent the blood shed by Him.

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave his begotten son." Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men."

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL,. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.


Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship him, our LORD, our GOD."

Answer 2

You need to explain to them why they aren't getting gifts. I'm not sure what religion, if any, you are. If you have informed them of the true reason why we celebrate Christmas and you have never gotten them gifts before, then why should they expect it? My children know that we celebrate Christmas because of Jesus, however, we still exchange gifts. This teaches them to give without expecting anything in return. This is also a custom due to how the wise men brought gifts to Jesus when he was born. My children understand that others believe in Santa Claus and that's okay. My children just know that they get gifts from family and friends and give to family and friends. There isn't an imaginary person delivering these things in the night. Thank you, good luck and GOD bless.

Answer 3

Well it will be easy if you have explained the meaning of Christmas to them. However, if you have filled them with the fantasy of Santa Claus, then you may have an issue. There is no fat white jolly man coming down any ones chimney this year or any other. So the true meaning of Christmas should be about the birth of Jesus. And with this explanation you would simply tell them that when you purchase gifts it is because God enables you extra money to purchase them And his year times are hard and their is no extra money. I hope and pray things get better for you. Celebrate the life of Jesus and enjoy the blessings you do have, a roof, a family. So many others have nothing, so many others have lost their sons and daughters to this war. God bless****

Answer 4

Oh just get them gifts, just nothing extravagent! Don't take that away from them they may resent you.
What you can do though is do other things that teach the meaning of Christmas, like they have to donate to toys for tots or you all go to a shelter and visit those with no families and maybe feed the homeless at the soup kitchens. Be proactive on Christmas with the goal to teach them the meaning and how to be grateful not just do nothing, that's the easy way. Just think, not getting gifts may not make them actually "feel" grateful but seeing the problems others have will.

Answer 5

I cannot help you,
but I'd like to make one suggestion for your children's sake.

Look up St. Nicholas and see what he did for the Christian Church.

He was as 'Christian' a person as you could get.....
He was "so Christian" they sanctified his name after he died.
That means he "did good things".......

I have no idea why you are so against this, but your children deserve to not feel "left out" during this time of joy.


Do the "Christian Thing" and put up a tree and some lights and give them something small........


..... and by the way, since you are explaining the 'true meaning of Christmas'... explain how Jesus was born in December when the Roman Census Joseph participated in happened from February to March the year 4 A. D.

Look it up in the Bible (try Matthew)..... clear as day...... Joseph and Mary were traveling to the town of Josephs birth because of the Census.


Make your children SMILE
Give them a little something-something
Give them a tree with some lights, Jesus won't mind.
Maybe even give them a 'Veggie Tales' DVD....

Something at least, don't make them feel like outcasts....

Answer 6

Boy, this is hard for any parent but I can tell you from past experiences that if you sit down and explain to your children that you just can't afford any gifts for them at Christmas they will understand. Explain to them that you will do something special on Christmas, like church (only if that's what you want to do) and watch something for the family on Christmas day on t.v. Make it a day that all of you sit down and talk, play games, have fun. They will understand, just be honest. It won't be a bad as you think really.

Answer 7

Your step kids are younger and don't realise all of the ramifications as you do. If quintessential, factor out that they have got such a lot of matters/acquired such a lot of items seeing that they have got such a lot of folks who love them. Then title they all with the children. You might do it as a sport, serving to them do not forget. I feel your mom and dad have the proper thought that treating all of the grandchildren--step and bio--the identical is easy methods to cross. It might appear that the step children are popping out forward reward smart, however are not they part siblings on your kids? You may not are living eternally, and a few day all of your husband's kids might want every different. Don't construct a wall among them; construct a bridge.

Answer 8

You dont say why you dont believe in gifts. religion or what? In any case, it's hard for kids to fathom why they dont get presents and everybody else does. I agree that Christmas meaning has been lost over the yrs. The allmighty dollar has taken over the true meaning of Christmas. You have to remember too though that the wise men brought presents for baby Jesus. I see no harm in one or 2 giftss, but I respect you in trying to teach your kids value and meaning of Christmas. God Bless you and yours this season. If it's just because you cant afford it, e-mail me at [e-mail] and I will try to help.

Answer 9

I would contact a local chruch and ask if they can provide help or refer you to a program so your children can have xmas, there is no shame in that!
My mother was a single mother, my father , an army man, who brought her here, cheated and beat her, and because we were born in the states we could not be removed, She had it tough, no english, little money,
but.......we did get assitance from chruches, and maybe the schools can help. I live in a great area, and we still have many families in the community who need help getting xmas together, so we have a drive for them, giving gently used clothing, and toys, its all anonymus.,
CXheck it out. bol

Answer 10

See if you can start a tradition of giving to someone in need (a family or a person) - the feeling you get from that is a gift in itself. Merry Christmas to someone who doesn't give in to commercialism!!!:)