Selfish kids at Christmas time. (ideas, teaching, baby, toys)

[treeg26]

Christmas is nearing and the Christmas lists are coming from our 4 children. None of them believe in Santa anymore. They seem to want, want, want. We are trying to teach our kids to not be materialistic in an extreamly materialistic world. It is hard!! I'm looking for some ideas on how to handle the situation. I have signed them up for "ringing the bell" for salvation army. We talk of the kids and families that are less fortunate than us. We give our toys and clothes to the "poor" kids regularly. We go to church on Sundays, so they know it's baby Jesus' birthday.

Our kids are not spoiled, but sometimes their attitudes don't show this. How have other parents handled this? One family we know aren't getting their kids any gifts for Christmas because their children have become so selfish and un-grateful. I don't want to go that far, but I need to do something.

[cynwldkat]

Good luck! In this day and age of a materialistic world you are fighting and uphill battle. I agree regarding children "expecting" all they ask for..plus!! We, as parents, want to make our children happy but all to often forget we can't buy their love. You are doing the right thing by reminding them that Christmas is about giving and it is baby Jesus birthday. I don't think completely cutting the gift giving is such a good idea but limiting presents to only special presents and having them "give" to others less fortunate will hopefully teach them about the true meaning of Christmas.

[little_thirsty]

Well here is a story for you...
A young family with 3 kids. 3 kids have everything their little hearts could desire. Being very ungrateful on one Christmas morning.

Father stands up and says "Oh I am so sorry! Well didn't you get anything you like? I tell you what each of you go get your favorite thing you got this year". THe kids each went and got their prized Christmas gift and came back glowing. Dad said "Wrap it up"...
huh interesting...okay all wrapped up.

He packs his kids in the car and drives them to an employees house in a very different part of town. He has the kids hand over there favorite gift to the employees children.

I have never been anything but grateful every since

[gentlearts]

One thing you might do is to draw names, and set a cost limit. Everyone in the family gets only one gift. The kids will be required to think hard about giving and getting. It's hard not to appreciate when you get only one thing.

[MonaLisaVito]

Treeg26,

I know how you feel, I put a stop to this a few years back. I have a 7 and 9 year old. Luckily my 9 year old never asks for much, it's kinda hard though cuz he only asks for 1 or 2 things and his birthday is right before Christmas. My daughter is another story though.

My kids get so much stuff between "santa", my family and my in-laws. They get to keep half of the stuff they get. They go through and pick out the stuff they really really want, then I pack up the rest of the gifts and mail them to St. Jude Children's Hospital. I've been teaching them over the past few years about giving to others and it's really been making an impact on them.

[cynwldkat]

Originally Posted by little_thirsty

Well here is a story for you...
A young family with 3 kids. 3 kids have everything their little hearts could desire. Being very ungrateful on one Christmas morning.

Father stands up and says "Oh I am so sorry! Well didn't you get anything you like? I tell you what each of you go get your favorite thing you got this year". THe kids each went and got their prized Christmas gift and came back glowing. Dad said "Wrap it up"...
huh interesting...okay all wrapped up.

He packs his kids in the car and drives them to an employees house in a very different part of town. He has the kids hand over there favorite gift to the employees children.

I have never been anything but grateful every since

What a great idea. I love it!!!

[cdc3217]

We have genreally just tapered off the amount of gifts each year (as have the grandparents). As the kids get older they seem to want fewer things, but the few they want are more expensive. You could also wrap up essentials like socks & underwear to fill out under the tree.

My mom always had a little clue poem on all our gifts. It slowed us down and made the unwrapping really fun. It made the opening more satisfying because you solved/answered the puzzle. (Now that my kids are readers, I think I'll give it a try.)

[cdc3217]

Originally Posted by mjb68

Treeg26,

I know how you feel, I put a stop to this a few years back. I have a 7 and 9 year old. Luckily my 9 year old never asks for much, it's kinda hard though cuz he only asks for 1 or 2 things and his birthday is right before Christmas. My daughter is another story though.

My kids get so much stuff between "santa", my family and my in-laws. They get to keep half of the stuff they get. They go through and pick out the stuff they really really want, then I pack up the rest of the gifts and mail them to St. Jude Children's Hospital. I've been teaching them over the past few years about giving to others and it's really been making an impact on them.

That's really great.

We also sort through our things every year to donate gently used items to school, the library, etc. Its a great way to purge!

[cynwldkat]

Originally Posted by cdc3217

That's really great.

We also sort through our things every year to donate gently used items to school, the library, etc. Its a great way to purge!

Yes, this is a great way to purge, share and teach!!!

[MoonlightMadness]

I grew up with 6 brothers & sisters. When we were little & could count gifts but didn't understand dollar value, my parents gave us all the same number so no one could claim they were Santa's favorite. When we got older & didn't believe in Santa & knew about dollar values, my parents set the same limit for all the kids. Some kids chose one big gift but others wanted a bunch of lesser-value gifts so they open a pile of boxes for Christmas.