What if...

What if you said "No" to it all. All the holiday "stress", which is mostly (if not entirely) brought on by consumerism. It can be let go if you choose.

I realize it isn't easy. If you already have children, you've probably already created for them "the magic of Christmas" by giving them gifts, introducing them to the idea of Santa Claus and allowing your parents and other relatives to dote upon them with a plethora of toys and other items of temporary gratification- most of which will be used/worn/eaten once, and thrown to the side while they await "the next one". That's not to say that you're a bad parent, or that I'm criticizing you, because of this...because you've "given in" to the mass-consumer mindset. It's been there your entire life. What else is there? Christmas=gifts.

Yeah, yeah. It's about "giving, not receiving". (though, is that really the lesson your kids are learning?) "Christmas is for the kids"....the kids who already have everything they need, and usually get what they want, as well, the rest of the year? (insert "help the needy" rant here)

I realize this is coming off as criticism and judgment, but what I'm really trying to do is ask the question(s). As a parent, I'm now faced with these choices. What sort of individual do I want my daughter to be as a result of her upbringing, and how can I positively influence her while in my care? I don't believe that by not giving her gifts at Christmas, that I'm denying her or depriving her of this "magical time". I really don't. Trying to get others (namely, grandparents) to understand this is already a challenge, and I see that it's only going to bring more challenges along the way. But, it's something we take quite seriously, our desire to reduce the consumer mindset in our household, and so we're ready for these challenges.

What do you think?