Christmas Shopping

I remember the first year we celebrated Christmas with a little one in the house. He was not even one, but we still went all out with stockings, Santa, tree, and trimmings. Christmas was going to be a big deal at our house full of the true spirit of Christmas. Now we have three and the youngest is three. To them the deal goes…tree goes up, we count down to open presents and Santa’s visit, and then wait until we can do it again next year. Somehow, it seems hard at 3, 6, or even 8 to really, really understand what the season is supposed to be about. We have tried in the past to adopt a family and talk about giving to others that way. We have tried Toys for Tots and giving that way. We have tried making gifts for others. We have tried reading stories, going to church, singing songs, and talking about the true meaning until we are blue; but the fact of that matter is that Christmas is all about the presents for my little ones.

So this year we tried something new, it was time to simplify! The focus for our three will be giving to each other. Todd and I will worry about the giving charitably. So, each child got a chance to go shopping and a budget of $10 per family member. They had to pick out something for each person, wrap it (or watch Mom wrap it) and place it under the tree. I have to say, I have not experienced the joy of Christmas like this year.

Each child has approached the task true to themselves. Colin labored over each choice. He wanted to get just the right thing for everyone. Would they like this or this better? It took us about 30 minutes per gift to get it right. Zach wanted to be sure he spent the entire $10 and got as many items as he could for each person. His goal was to get a lot for the $10. And he was able to get some pretty thoughtful gifts this way! Molly was all about what she wanted. When we explained that it should be something that person would like, she revised her search and actually picked out pretty great presents. Then they all came home and excitedly waited until someone noticed their present under the tree. Each one can’t wait to give their presents away. They give clues as to what it might be. They shake the packages for them, make guesses about what the box holds, and talk endlessly about possibilities. There is pure joy in each of them and they are so full of excitement over giving away their gifts.

I guess I learned a lesson. In the past I tried so hard to put the Christ in Christmas, when it turns out they had the Christ in them all along.