No Christmas List

No Christmas List? What? Yes, it’s absolutely true. My kids don’t make a Christmas list each year.

Am I saying it’s “anti-God” to make a Christmas list? Absolutely not!

Here’s why my kids don’t make a Christmas list and what we do instead…

I know people mean well when they ask my kids, “What’s on your Christmas list for Santa to bring you this year?” This happens everywhere we go this time of year, even at church. Usually my kids respond with a blank stare or a look of confusion. You see, my kids don’t make a Christmas list. They never have.

 

No Christmas List for my Kids

Before you call me crazy, please understand that my kids are HAPPY kids. They enjoy life. They have everything they need AND MORE!

But simply put, Christmas isn’t about them.

It’s not even about me. Christmas is a time for us to celebrate and remember that a loving God sent his only Son to become a human just like us. Christmas is about reminding ourselves through tangible ways that we are here to help and serve others who are in need. And while there are gifts {yes, they still get presents}, the gifts are not our focus.

Now, my kids devour the toy catalogs that come in the mail just like any other child. They may even request a toy.

But I am quick to respond with, “Wow, that is a cool toy. Maybe you can ask for it for your birthday.” You see, their birthday is about them. And there are plenty other days of the year that are about them; but in our home, Christmas is not.

 

What we DO Instead…

1. We encourage them to think about what they could make or buy someone else {either in our family or someone else in need}.

We encourage them to get outside of their “me box” and think about someone else. It may be as simple as a special card for that elderly neighbor or spending their chore money on a pack of gum for a sibling.

2. We give to and help others.

We have done lots of things over the years, such as the Samaritan’s shoe boxes, but when kids see someone else in need, really in need, it helps that entitled attitude {those “I wants” and “Gimmes”} to die back for a while. It can really put things into perspective. And when kids can do something to help a person in need…wow! That’s powerful stuff.

We usually host a brunch or something Christmas Even in our home for those in our community that don’t have family close by. I’ll never forget the Christmas day brunch when a mom of two little ones entered our front door with tears pouring down her face because she had felt so lonely and now had a place to come and be with others.

3. We surprise them with three gifts, to represent the three gifts of the wise men.

The gifts are usually: 1- something they will enjoy {usually a toy}, 2- books, and 3- something practical.

Notice I said, “surprise”. I like to think about my kids’ interests and hobbies, and then pick a gift that will match them and may even last a few years. This adds to the anticipation of Christmas morning, because my kids don’t know what’s under that tree for them.

4. We celebrate all season long.

Yes, we have a tree and Christmas lights galore {thanks to my oldest son} and this starts going up the moment we eat the last crumb of dessert at Thanksgiving. If it was up to my oldest, our Christmas décor would go up in early October. 

We celebrate Advent in meaningful ways, like the Jesse Tree. {Find some FREE Advent Printables for your family.}

We take time to think about the Gift of Jesus that was sent to us each day. On Christmas day, the kids help me make a birthday cake for Jesus and we sing, “Happy Birthday” to Him.

5. We leave the fat guy in the red suit out {mostly}.

Yes, I am “that mom” I said as a teenager that I would never be.

But I just don’t buy into the whole Santa thing. Part of it is from my studies of Montessori {and not confusing the child by saying something that’s pretend is real, etc.}, but the other part just doesn’t want to go there.

We talk about who St. Nicholas was. We even will do activities with Santa in them, like the ones in our Christmas Pre-K/K Pack, but we don’t focus on Santa or the Christmas list for him.

Do I frown on those who do? Nope. He’s just not a big part of our Christmas.

 

Now, Wait a Minute…

Can’t it be both Christmas lists and thinking of others? Can’t it be both Santa and Jesus? Yes! I was raised in a God-fearing home that did both. It’s a choice my husband and I have made for our family and our kids. My own kids may grow up and do it differently and that’s okay, too!

Aren’t we supposed to help others year-round? You got it! This is a part of a lifestyle we strive to live by each day of the year, even in simple ways. And it’s a lifestyle I hope to pass along to my kids. I want to be a mom who models for my kids how to look out for the needs of others and meet those when I can.

 

My purpose in posting this is just to challenge all of us to reflect on the idea that Christmas isn’t about us. It’s not about making a Christmas list of our wants.

Christmas is about looking to and reflecting on the Savior who entered our world knowing full-well what He would endure for us. And it’s about teaching our kids to do the same.

 

Enjoy Christmas!
~Becky