Take the 'Argh!' Out of Christmas Gift-Giving
If you find yourself panicking about pressies over the festive season, try these easier but still rewarding traditions
Alison Hodgson
15 December 2022
Houzz Contributor. Author of The Pug List: A Ridiculous Dog, a Family Who Lost Everything, and How They All Found Their Way Home http://alisonhodgson.net
Houzz Contributor. Author of The Pug List: A Ridiculous Dog, a Family Who Lost Everything,... More
Every year in the weeks preceding Christmas, I say, “This year we’re keeping things simple!” and every year there are places where I do that. Also, every year – as anyone who has seen my tree covered with hundreds of ornaments could tell you – there are places I go all-out. And I’ve finally decided that’s fine. My new goal is to keep Christmas simple-ish.
One way I’m doing that is by establishing a few gift-giving traditions. As we all know, traditions can easily become burdens, yet in their proper place, traditions provide a wonderful way to connect with our loved ones.
For children they can weave a net of security through the years. For parents they are a beautiful way to create memories and, frankly, they can serve as an easy guide to planning the festivities. To that end, here are a few of the gift-giving traditions my family keeps.
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For children they can weave a net of security through the years. For parents they are a beautiful way to create memories and, frankly, they can serve as an easy guide to planning the festivities. To that end, here are a few of the gift-giving traditions my family keeps.
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How many Christmas gifts should kids receive?
This one, of course, is up to each individual family. Early on, my husband and I decided we didn’t want to overwhelm our children with piles and piles of presents. Inspired by my friend, author Lorilee Craker, we limit the number of gifts for our children to three each. Craker has three children too, all of whom have December birthdays. Imagine trying to manage three birthdays in addition to the regular Christmas hoopla. Oh, the humanity. One December, after she nearly lost her mind juggling it all, she and her husband made some changes.
This one, of course, is up to each individual family. Early on, my husband and I decided we didn’t want to overwhelm our children with piles and piles of presents. Inspired by my friend, author Lorilee Craker, we limit the number of gifts for our children to three each. Craker has three children too, all of whom have December birthdays. Imagine trying to manage three birthdays in addition to the regular Christmas hoopla. Oh, the humanity. One December, after she nearly lost her mind juggling it all, she and her husband made some changes.
“Years ago, fearful our kids were becoming way too ‘gift-glutted’, we adopted the ‘Principle of the Three Wise Men’: Something you want, something you need and a surprise. In the past decade, nobody has complained about getting ‘only’ three gifts, and actually I believe it brings peace and relief to us all,” says Craker.
Our family doesn’t follow Craker’s specific prescriptive of a want, a need and a surprise. Although it’s a wonderful idea, for us it’s too restrictive, so I set it aside and we forged some new family traditions instead.
Our family doesn’t follow Craker’s specific prescriptive of a want, a need and a surprise. Although it’s a wonderful idea, for us it’s too restrictive, so I set it aside and we forged some new family traditions instead.
Can I give the same Christmas gifts every year?
Absolutely! ‘That’s not festive,’ you may be thinking. But what sounds like boring repetition is actually an exciting itinerary. Here are the wonderful things my kids can count on year after year:
We also add at least one special Christmas book to our collection. When the children were younger and we had baskets of picture books in every room, I swapped out the books in the living room with our Christmas books, and every night we worked our way through the titles, all snuggled together by the tree.
Absolutely! ‘That’s not festive,’ you may be thinking. But what sounds like boring repetition is actually an exciting itinerary. Here are the wonderful things my kids can count on year after year:
- An ornament the night the tree goes up.
- Pyjamas on Christmas Eve.
- Three gifts under the tree.
- At least one book (but probably more).
- A loaded stocking.
We also add at least one special Christmas book to our collection. When the children were younger and we had baskets of picture books in every room, I swapped out the books in the living room with our Christmas books, and every night we worked our way through the titles, all snuggled together by the tree.
A friend wraps 25 of her family’s Christmas books, and her children unwrap one every night in December, a fun tradition her older children still love. Another friend buys a new game for the family to learn and enjoy over the holidays. In our family someone is sure to pick up a large puzzle, which we all put together on Christmas Day. You might even decide on an easy, simple tradition, such as setting the dinner table with a festive theme each weekend in December.
What should I fill Christmas stockings with?
For us, this is where it all falls apart. Since I don’t go overboard on lollies, I’ve found filling the stockings to be an expensive endeavour. Every year I start slowly and worry I’m never going to fill the buggers, then before you know it, I’ve picked up more than I can stuff into them, and the children end up with an overflowing stocking as well as a stack of presents. They never complain.
Some suggestions for the stockings:
For us, this is where it all falls apart. Since I don’t go overboard on lollies, I’ve found filling the stockings to be an expensive endeavour. Every year I start slowly and worry I’m never going to fill the buggers, then before you know it, I’ve picked up more than I can stuff into them, and the children end up with an overflowing stocking as well as a stack of presents. They never complain.
Some suggestions for the stockings:
- Toiletries.
- Toothbrushes.
- Gift cards.
- Small toys.
- Nice socks.
- Small notebooks.
- Art supplies (crayons, coloured pencils). If you plan ahead, you can buy them months before during the back-to-school sales.
Take a bit of care with the stockings and make a plan. A couple of years ago, I took three bags and separated the purchases I made for each child as I went. This helped me keep a better eye on things. Some years I’ll do a trial stocking-stuffing session to see where I’m at and make sure we’re not going overboard, although by then it can be too late. But not this year. This year I’m totally keeping things simple. Well, simple-ish.
And remember, Christmas isn’t just about receiving gifts but about giving them, particularly to those who might find themselves in a less fortunate position. Now that’s a rewarding tradition to begin as a family if you’re keen to forge a new ritual this Christmas.
And remember, Christmas isn’t just about receiving gifts but about giving them, particularly to those who might find themselves in a less fortunate position. Now that’s a rewarding tradition to begin as a family if you’re keen to forge a new ritual this Christmas.
Your turn
What gift-giving traditions do you keep? Share your ideas in the Comments, like this story, save the images for gift-giving inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Wondering how to keep your Christmas tree looking lush? Read these 5 Easy Tips to Care for Your Live Christmas Tree
What gift-giving traditions do you keep? Share your ideas in the Comments, like this story, save the images for gift-giving inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Wondering how to keep your Christmas tree looking lush? Read these 5 Easy Tips to Care for Your Live Christmas Tree
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Sometimes simple really is the way to go!