Will You Get Swept Up in the Tsunami of Materialism this Holiday Season?
By Kathleen A. Matchunis, President of Connecting, Inc.
How are you holding up against the constant barrage of ads and holiday insanity this year? You can make the choice to succumb to the tsunami of materialism or you can honor the spirit of the season. How can this be done? Balance is the answer. It would be difficult to suggest that your family not exchange gifts at all and just sing holiday songs. Giving your children everything they want is not going to be something that you may be able to continue to always do. It certainly does not make them a happy adult, if they are not always able to achieve what they want later in life. Of course, exchanging gifts can be a wonderful part of the holiday. The focus of the holiday should not just be on what they are going to receive.
Children can be given the opportunity to choose gifts for family members or make homemade gifts or goodies for them. An exciting family project could be collecting food for the needy, serving in a soup line, or volunteering in any project that serves others. This type of project gives children the special pleasure of giving to others and not obsessing over what they want to receive for the holiday.
When children give to others, it gives them the unique opportunity of realizing how much they have. When children actually see others who are less fortunate, they can really feel gratitude in their own lives and feel compassion for those less fortunate.
The best gift you can give your child is the experience of sharing and giving to others. This meaningful gift will change your child’s life and create wonderful family holiday memories.