Ungrateful Kids? Here's The Secret To A Happy Christmas

Moms.com

By Kate Prince

Published Nov 23, 2018

As parents, we want to make the holidays special for our kids, so we often put a lot of thought into what we can get them as gifts.

Credit: iStock / evgenyatamanenko

As parents, we want to make the holidays special for our kids, so we often put a lot of thought into what we can get them as gifts. There's nothing better than seeing the look of joy on their faces on Christmas morning, but it can be a double-edged sword. The more we get our kids, the less grateful they can be. We're all guilty of buying into the corporate Christmas at some point in our lives, but how can we teach our children to appreciate the value of what the holiday represents? These handy tips can help us restore the real magic of December 25th.

Create a giving list

When it comes to Christmas, the focus is usually on what we want. We want a new flat iron, we want a PS4 - the possibilities are endless. The chances are you've uttered the question, "What do you want for Christmas?" at least 20 times by now, but how about encouraging your child to create a giving list instead of a most-wanted list? It doesn't have to be about them buying expensive gifts, but rather about little things. Perhaps they'd like to give grandma a hand with her trip to the store, or they'd like to gift their best friend a book. Changing up the focus can go a long way.

Less Santa, more stories

Santa has taken over Christmas for decades now, becoming more synonymous with the holiday than Jesus himself. In all the hype, the real message can get lost - and it doesn't have to be about religion if that's not your bag. Dial down the Santa talk a little bit and instead share stories about family Christmas traditions, the story of Jesus and what Yule means to non-religious people. The more they know about the holiday, the less likely they are to see it as a present fest.

Create traditions

The holiday's don't have to be just about giving gifts. It's about the snow, the magic in the air, the coming together of loved ones over a cup of eggnog. Get in the spirit by arranging some festive arts and crafts, visits to carol services or cooking together. These are the memories that will stick with your kids for life - way beyond that iPhone they got one year.

Happy Holidays!