This one is directed to born-again Christian parents. I have some kids still young enough to make Christmas lists for the things they would like for Christmas. They pore over magazines and catalogs with zeal. This has irked me for several years. I do not like the idea of making lists. To me it smacks of coveting. It is not as though our family is poor. They have plenty of aunts and uncles who give each year at Christmas and birthdays. We are not wealthy, but God has been gracious. Still, we get them each three items each for each birthday and Christmas. And we don't tend to spend a whole lot because we want them to be grounded and learn to save for some things themselves. We don't want them focusing on material things.
I would like to end the practice altogether. My husband says that that's how we know what they really want. I feel that true gift giving is knowing the person and giving from the heart, not what the recipient is 'expecting'. To me, that's greedy.
2007-11-28 13:12:42 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
How do you handle Christmas? How do you feel about gift lists? Do you have any suggestions?
2007-11-28 13:13:17 · update #1
As a child my parents would let me make Christmas lists. And boy I would. Pages long. Then one day, when I was about 10, my Mama took me to the Angel tree at the mall. Mama explained to me that not all kids were going to have a Christmas because they might not have enough money. We picked out an angel, and together we made a list of what this child would need and want. The list was crazily huge. When my Mama told me that it was not possible to give everything on my list, I told her that I wanted to give my presents to this child. My Mama was shocked and nearly at tears when I said it. Every Christmas after that the only list I made was for my Angel tree child. It really put things in perspective for me. I am now 22 and enjoy using the angel tree and Operation Christmas child to help those in need.
2007-11-28 15:06:31 · answer #1 · answered by leelee212 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I feel that Christmas is way too commercialized. I also agree, that a few gifts might be more appreciated than a lot.
About lists -- i feel that, if grandparents and others know what the kids want and will like, and will actually USE it's more productive than buying something they will just toss aside or many not want or need... it's just my opinion... And people need to get what they can afford.. and not go overboard.
It's not greedy when a person responds to the question, "what would you like for Christmas?"... it's being aware of what they are interested in...
I have always had my kids make a small, nice craft for close relatives for christmas, and cards -- and now i do it with my granddaughter.. last year we made angel ornaments, which were simple but very pretty. It gives the kids a sense of involvement and teaches them that it's very nice to give...
I don't think there is anything wrong with gift giving and receiving, but as i said there has to be a limit... greed happens when people and/or kids are given things constantly and they come to expect to receive things all of the time -- such as, every time they see a grandparent or go to the store with someone...
In my world, there's nothing wrong with having a good time, and celebrating the season, along with learning the MESSAGE which goes with this holy season.
take care.
2007-11-28 13:33:30 · answer #2 · answered by letterstoheather 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It can be Christian, Pagan, Secular, or pure commercial consumerism. As practiced in many (but not all) parts of Europe and North America it is, in the mainstream, a commercial exploitation of a Christian overlay on a Pagan midwinter festival. So any group, family or individual can essentially make of it what they choose, because symbols can have more than one value, and any historic meaning may not have kept the same to the present day. What is Thursday, or July? Is anyone using these terms implicitly worshipping Thor or a Roman God-Emperor? No, anyone claiming their particular understanding of traditions, rituals and symbols is the only valid one is pushing their luck. I know of at lest three major and widely different understandings of the Swastika... Is one of them the only valid one? I agree the history, politics, practice and theology of Christians over Christmas (including "converted" pagan items etc.), is fascinating from the first century to the present day. But that doesn't necessarily determine what Christmas is or what it means.
2016-05-26 06:44:48 · answer #3 · answered by madeleine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think as long as your children know Jesus is the true meaning of Christmas and you observe Christmas as being when Jesus was born. That is what really matters, lists or no lists.
We let our kids do Christmas lists. They might not always get everything that is on there list. I think for kids part of the magic of Christmas is looking through magazines and getting excited about the toys. I remember doing that when I was a kid. So I dont think theres anything is wrong with it.
2007-11-28 13:31:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
let them be children. this isn't going to make them greedy or ungrateful at all. they know they'll only get a certain amount of gifts and that it won't always be what they'd like so whats the harm in a little wishful thinking.and whats the harm in actually getting them what they ask for? if they have a short list with the few things they truly want, and not all the garbage that comes their way, they are learning not to be greedy anyway. my kids don't always get what they want but are always grateful for what they recieve. even clothes.
2007-11-28 13:21:13 · answer #5 · answered by racer 51 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's all about balance, I wouldn't do the Christmas list thing myself, as you are right, it puts their brains in the wrong mode about the whole holiday. I view Christmas today, and I look back growing up extremely poor by most standards, having absolutely NOTHING to do with GETTING anything, but only with the sentiment and the concept of giving. I never made a list of stuff I wanted that I remember. When you know something is wrong you have to act fast.
2007-11-28 13:21:01 · answer #6 · answered by The Scorpion 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
we are in church and i still buy my kids some things they want but we do not make a list. i always remind them that christmas is Jesus' birthday and we should celebrate that too. gifts are fun to recieve but Jesus is more important. that always seems to keep them focused not so much on just themselves.
2007-11-28 13:33:52 · answer #7 · answered by allofthat7464 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Geez lady, we're talking about CHILDREN here.
Part of the fun of Christmas is the pleasure we adults get out of the excitement in our children at Christmas time.
We have the whole rest of the year to teach our children the true value of life, love, and material things.
Christmas is a time to loosten up, and enjoy ALL of the great things that come with the season.
You don't have to be so serious 360 days of the year!
Merry Christmas!
2007-11-28 13:23:35 · answer #8 · answered by No More 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
i know what my children whant by talking to them. Not mentioning christmas just talking about thier day then thiings they like. thats pretty much it
hope it helped
2007-11-28 13:21:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It doesn't matter if they make a list because they will remind you every single day what they want anyway.
2007-11-28 13:18:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋