| the mother of a 6-year-old so I know full well how wild | | | | about giving is also to share with those less fortunate. |
| children become when caught up in the full Christmas | | | | We go through toys and clothes before Christmas |
| frenzy. There is the never-ending list of "I want" items | | | | and take a good haul to Goodwill. Obviously it offers |
| from catalogs, television commercials, and random | | | | the selfish benefit of making way for the new |
| store spottings. There is the sneaking around to find | | | | presents, but if an outgrown bicycle can make another |
| hidden gifts or fondle those already wrapped under the | | | | child's Christmas a little brighter than that can only |
| tree. There is the high spirits and wild behavior that | | | | make the situation a win-win for everyone. We also |
| come from increased sugar intake on top of the | | | | participated in several giving projects through school, |
| excitement of the season. While I can forgive a certain | | | | scouts, church and other organizations. |
| amount of high jinks, I also do not want my child to | | | | Last, and certainly not least, as a Christian family we |
| forget the reason for the season. Here are four ways | | | | take part in many events to celebrate this most |
| I remind my child of the true meaning of Christmas. | | | | important part of the Christian calendar. My son and I |
| Of course Christmas is about presents. That is the | | | | both sing in choirs that put on Christmas concerts. Our |
| true reason why children are so wild. They know the | | | | entire family supported several efforts to help those in |
| countdown is coming for a big haul of gifts and it is | | | | need from putting together shoebox gift boxes to ship |
| very difficult to avoid this commercial aspect even if | | | | overseas to the Joy offering that support specific |
| you choose to do so. Even when my husband and I | | | | church missions to the local coats for kids project as |
| make a conscious decision to be restrained there are | | | | well as bringing food for the local food pantry. We also |
| still grandparents, aunts, cousins, and friends who | | | | lit the Advent candle during a recent church service |
| conspire to deliver everything a boy can dream of | | | | which was very special. We always attend church |
| possessing. I do not wish to deprive my child of that | | | | and Sunday School so will definitely attend the |
| magical Christmas morning frenzy of shredding | | | | Christmas Eve candlelight service which is one of my |
| wrapping paper, but I do want to make sure he | | | | personal favorites. Our church family hosts several |
| remembers that Christmas is about giving -- not | | | | holiday parties as well to make the season even |
| receiving. This means I make sure he is a part of the | | | | brighter including appreciation dinners for the choirs, a |
| gift selection process as well as purchase and | | | | birthday party for Jesus, and decorating the church. |
| wrapping. In addition, he also makes a number of gifts | | | | These are all great ways to have fun and celebrate |
| and cards for those people important to him. He | | | | together without the commercial aspects. |
| enjoys this creative aspect as well as making a more | | | | If you embrace even a few of these tips then you will |
| meaningful gift that will be cherished much more than a | | | | not only remind your child of the true meaning of |
| store bought gift by his grandparents and other special | | | | Christmas but you will also help make the holiday |
| people. Any way you can channel although that | | | | season a little brighter for others as well. Both benefits |
| pre-holiday energy into a positive action is always a | | | | also give you the added bonus of adding to your store |
| bonus too. | | | | of holiday cheer. |
| Another aspect of reminding my child that Christmas is | | | | |