Family,  Life

Want-Need-Wear-Read

Want. Need. Wear. Read.

Maybe you are familiar with this Christmas gift-giving philosophy. Its popularity seems to be gaining speed.

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

Four gifts. THE END.

While I consider it brilliant, I acknowledge that some of you are cringing at the thought. The ground ‘neath the Douglas fir void of a sea of presents on Christmas morning??? “You serious Clark?” Or maybe you think four gifts is one too many. After all, the wise men only brought three.

Whatever the case may be, can we all agree that our culture seems to start decking the halls WAY before it’s even December, probably to allow ample time for the 1,578 things vying for our energy? There is magic in the air, but it’s so easy to get our tinsel in a tangle. So we must prioritize. We must invest in Christmas activities that bring us genuine joy and cut back on the things that leave us wanting to shoot our eye out. With that said, if ribbons and tags and boxes and bags magnify your holiday cheer… go get ‘em, you little elf you! As for me, the rigmarole of shopping tends to result in stress-eating a plate of snickerdoodles.

Do you know what our daughter wished for one Christmas? A candy cane. The following year — a blue owl. Our son once asked for a truck. One truck. Singular. It doesn’t take much for our tiny tot’s eyes to be all aglow. It really doesn’t. I actually believe our kids would have been perfectly fine receiving ONLY those things. Yet the self-induced pressure of “more = merrier” led me to spend way too much on way too much. And guess what ultimately excited our children the most? A candy cane, a blue owl, and a truck.

Now don’t get me wrong, I do love giving. I especially love cool gifts that stir emotions. And I love, love, LOVE the Christmas season. It’s just that after forty Christmases (six as a momma), I have learned that presence trumps presents. Memories aren’t made of stuff. Therefore, my family has decided to simplify the stuff this year.

Want. Need. Wear. Read.

It’s our inaugural attempt at this, so here’s the game plan. Our three children will receive one gift in each of those four categories. I also gave Santa the green light to deliver a few special goodies. Most importantly, our kids will be taught the value of giving to those less fortunate — both at Christmas and beyond.

I am hoping the end result is gratitude, excitement, and a humble awareness of our blessings. (If it turns out to be a sanity saver for this easily overwhelmed mom, that’d be cool too.)

Interested? I say go for it! Put your own special spin on it. Switch up the categories. Get creative. Do whatever works for you.

Friends, each one of us has our traditions, our joys, and our hang-ups. So regardless of our preferred gift-giving strategy or the number of presents under our Tannenbaum, let us ponder this…

“Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!”

So much more, Mr. Grinch. SO. MUCH. MORE. Just ask Linus.

[Luke 2:8-14]

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