Newsvine is msnbc.com's social-news community where you can discuss stories, publish your own column, and connect with other news lovers.
The greed versus need keeps piling up. Obviously retailers want to convince us that we 'need' their products! Wise up consumers.
Our society sometimes places too much emphasis on material things. Today's youth know the price of everything, and the value of nothing. This is our fault as parents and adults. Also we don't celebrate the religious significance of Christmas as we should.
#1 - Fri Dec 18, 2009 12:36 PM ESTLife is short...childhood is shorter! Did they give last years toys to the Salvation Army? did they choose an angel from the needy's "Angel Tree? Did they participate in a charitable act as part of Christmas? These are the important things...not how many gifts they got. Being a good parent isn't buying it's teaching. Remember the example you set is the product you will likely recieve.
Don't blame bad parenting on getting too many Christmas gifts!!! My sisters and I always got dozens of presents and we are all well adjusted, giving, loving people. We value family over everything else and have been successful in teaching our own children the same. Santa only lasts a few short years let the kids enjoy it!!!!
#2 - Tue Dec 22, 2009 8:51 AM ESTI had friends who got a LOT of presents, and they always wanted to count and compare who got better stuff. It was gross and sad. I always remember feeling bad about my parents spending so much money. I want to instill those same values in my children. They only get a couple of gifts for the holidays. I prefer to bake and do crafts, movie nights, volunteer! etc to enhance their hoilday spirits. They love it!
#3 - Tue Dec 22, 2009 10:26 AM ESTI grew up getting lots of gifts with my brothers. WE LOVED IT and never counted or compared. One of my fondest memories, is coming downstairs in the morning and looking at ALL the presents under the tree. But I never lost site of what Christmas meant. I come from a Polish background, and our Christmas Eve family dinner was very traditional and I continue it to this day in memory of my grandma. I have only one son and he's the only grandchild in my family. Not to mention, I'm divorced so he gets two sets of gifts. But his father and I limit his gifts and I have a small family so he only gets one gift from each of us. But in order to keep him from getting overwhelmed, we spread out the gift opening over two days, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Give what you can and do what you feel. Everyone has their own way of celebrating and there is no right way or wrong way, just enjoy!
#4 - Wed Dec 23, 2009 8:02 AM ESTwe averaged between 60 and 80 presents and I loved it. I used to go tease all the kids in the neighborhood that didnt have as many as me and explain to them that their parents didnt love them. Now I know the difference and know that as long as your parents get you between 5 and 35 presents they love you. No more no less
#5 - Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:14 AM EST5 and 35 - how did you derive that number to indicate a parents love?? Whoa, what if you only got 1 present but it cost them more than 35 put together! Jeez...shallow thinking! Hope my kids don't feel this way!
Exactly. I guess the parents who are laid off because of the economy who can't buy their children between 5 and 35 presents each must really hate their kids. Measing love through material things is exactly what is wrong with our society.
Well, I used to average even more than that - close to 100 gifts for Christmas! That type of thing can happen when you're the third generation in a very fertile family. As a kid, man, that's how I knew my family loved me! I felt bad for all those kids who only got like five gifts combined from their Mom and Dad. What losers!
Now I'm an adult and I realize that I'd much prefer to not exchange any gifts and use the tremendous savings to get something for myself -- at least I'll get something I actually want!
u must be a child!
We open wrapped packages Christmas Eve and even open one gift each on the day or two leading up to that. By Christmas morning, there's nothing left but the stockings! This started with my first child's first Christmas - he had so many new toys I let him start a good 10 days early. He got to be excited over and enjoy each gift much more this way.
#6 - Wed Dec 23, 2009 12:46 PM ESTWhen children are young and believe in Santa Claus the gift giving is fun and a tradition in most families, I have wonderful childhood memories of Santa Claus, however when they are older they should be taught to give rather than get. Give of themselves with time, gifts, or deeds for neighbors and community.There is a time for every purpose, and they need to share in the joys of CHRISTMAS, and that doesn't mean with catchers mitts on each hand!
#7 - Wed Dec 23, 2009 1:11 PM ESTWhat an odd measure to discern whether your parents love you or not, the 5 to 35 present thing. I don't think number of gifts make a bit of difference - sometimes parents can't give anything. I think as long as you give your children love, and that's ALL through the year, and you teach your kids what is important and what is not - family, home, caring about each other, valuing your health - then they won't be mistaken over what, or how much, is important.
I raised my daughter by myself, and one year, I had 25 dollars (and not until Christmas Eve) to buy her anything. Well, I went out and got the cheapest little gifts I could, just so she could have something from me, and you know, all these years later, even though she's grown now and our situation improved later on, that child considers that one of her more memorable Christmases. Plus, the things that she made me by hand over the years are the things I still have - on the fridge, or on my dresser - and are the things most important to me.
I think it all depends on what you teach your kids, and finally realizing what really is meaningful and makes a difference.
#8 - Wed Dec 30, 2009 10:14 AM ESTYou're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
Log In | Register
The more you give each year, the more is expected the following year. Esp now that we have split homes where 2 sets of parents give gifts.