Let’s Discuss "Less" and Why We're Due for a Change

As parents, we give gifts because we love making our little ones happy! We want to create magical memories and show our children how much we care. But when quantity starts overshadowing quality and "more" becomes the measure of a successful holiday, some of the magic can be lost. 

The stress and excess of the holiday season is not a new experience. In 1904, Margaret Delandone wrote the following in Harper's Bazaar: "Twenty-five years ago, Christmas was not the burden that it is now. There was less haggling and weighing, less quid pro quo, less fatigue of body, less wearing of soul; and, most of all, there was less loading up with trash."

The good news is that children are extremely capable of understanding and appreciating a more mindful approach to celebrations. And with the average US consumer predicted to spend more than $1,000 this year on holiday gifts, the sooner we reset the pattern of “more means more”, the better!

Four Practical Solutions for Modern Parents

Here are some fresh approaches to holiday gift-giving that won't leave you stressed, overwhelmed, or paying off credit card debt all year long. 

1. The Four-Gift Rule
Many families are adopting this simple formula to help create balance and make shopping more intentional.

Something they want
Something they need
Something to wear
Something to read

2. Experience Gifts
Our personal favorite idea is to consider giving memories instead of things! These gifts keep giving throughout the year and create opportunities for quality time together.

Family museum memberships
Dance or art classes
Movie theater gift cards
Zoo passes
Swimming lessons

3. Family Gift Traditions
Start traditions that focus on giving rather than receiving. It’s never too early to start teaching our little ones about the importance of generosity and kindness. 

Create a family donation box together
Shop for a family in need
Volunteer at a local charity
Make homemade gifts for neighbor

4. Quality Over Quantity
Instead of lots of smaller items that will be played with for a day then forgotten in the back of a closet, consider pooling your resources with grandparents or other family members to give one or two quality items. 

One "wow" gift, like a new playground set or large electronic toy
A gift that encourages active play, like a climbing wall gym in the playroom
A gift that grows with them, like a high-quality bicycle or art station
Making the Transition

Build Lasting Memories
Remember, our children won't look back and count how many presents they received each year. They'll remember the same things you likely remember from your own childhood. 

The smell of holiday baking
Family movie nights with hot chocolate
Making decorations together
Special traditions unique to your family
The excitement of giving gifts they made themselves
Shift your focus to being present verses shopping for one more present

Changing holiday habits, especially with doting family members who love to give lots of gifts, requires a gentle approach. Here are a few tips as you talk to your kids (and your parents) about your plans for a different kind of holiday celebration. 

-Begin conversations early in the season about what makes holidays special.
-Share stories about your favorite childhood memories (notice how many aren't about gifts?)
-Involve kids in making gifts or baking special treats for others.
-Create excitement around new traditions by planning together.
-Focus on the anticipation and preparation, not just the receiving.

As parents, you have the power to shape how your small humans view gifts and celebrations. You can teach them that holidays are about more than packages under the tree. They're about connection, giving, and creating memories together.

Start small this year.
Choose one or two changes that feel right for your family. Maybe it's implementing the four-gift rule, or maybe it's starting a new tradition of family experience gifts. Whatever you choose, remember that you're not taking away from the holidays – you're adding meaning to them.

When we shift our focus from buying to being present, we often find we've given our children something far more valuable than any wrapped gift: the true spirit of the season and memories that will last a lifetime.

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. The key is finding what works for your family while teaching your children that the most precious gifts often can't be wrapped. What meaningful holiday traditions would you like to start with your family this year?