Every parent for themselves. This is a good idea although I probably wouldn’t do this myself as gifting is a core part of our Christmas fun!

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  • • mom486197 replied
    • 28 Aug 2024 , 12:46 pm

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  I agree with you, it is all part of Christmas

As mean as this sounds, I actually think the meaning behind it all is a good idea. Not alot of children are all about xmas for the gift of giving, it’s all I want I want.

My question to her would be… Were you given Christmas and Birthday gifts as a child and are you a spoilt brat?
We live in a society where most children are given birthday and christmas gifts and I certainly dont feel that these children as all spoilt little brats that feel they should have what ever they want given to them. My kids were always thankful for everything they were given. They would get excited over socks and underwear as part of their christmas gifts.

Nope I don’t agree. No you don’t want your children to get spoilt, but surely for a day you can spoil them? Many happy memories of mine were at Christmas with a who,e heap of presents. Yet I always appreciated that Christmas was about family.

I don’t agree. Surely once the oldest one starts school & kids start talking about ‘what they got for Christmas’ things will change.. They don’t need a lot but at least one thing!

The ideal is perhaps the right one, however when they are older, they just might not agree with their mother’s views on this.

Yes it her choice but not mine!

I get great joy out of giving presents

I agree with her. We need to teach our kids what is the real meaning of Christmas,

I understand what you are trying to do, nevertheless, I believe they should be remembered on their birthday.

Their choice of course, but I could never not buy a present for Birthdays or Christmas, it just wouldn’t feel right ….

their choice and really we have so much ‘stuff’ in this wold already.

This is their choice but I for one couldn’t not buy my family a gift for their Birthday or Christmas. I would certainly feel mean if everyone else gave them a present and I didn’t. It doesn’t have to be a material gift, it could be an outing.

Each to their own, but I guess it’s a bit sad that her kids won’t receive gifts just because! I ensure my children know the true meaning of things, from why we celebrate occasions to needing to work to buy these gifts. They also save their own money (as 7 and 4 year olds) to buy gifts for others

Maybe there is a lesson to be learnt for the parents. The act of giving. I believe it starts in the home. If I felt that strongly about this choice i would hand make a present to show the love that went into the present and it was made just for the boys. Family parents etc supplying the gifts/ presents isn’t that a back flip on your ideals, of being spoilt. You have one rule and stick to it.
The way I see it, the children will soon learn about when you get a present and why etc. You’re making a rod for your own backs and your children won’t understand the “spoilt ideals” when they attend birthday parties, schools . Give your children values that they want to live out.

They happily accept presents from family but give none themselves. Seems a bit off to me. Sure, limit how many things you buy your children so they appreciate what they receive. To buy nothing I think will backfire once her 4yr old starts school. When his friends talk about what they got from mum and dad and he realises his mum and dad gave him nothing I would imagine he will be a very upset little boy. My opinion, if you aren’t going to celebrate all of what christmas is about these days dont celebrate at all. Plenty of people don’t for various reasons and they are happy people.

It’s really her call, but I don’t think it’s just gifts that spoil a child, it’s more about attitude.

It sounds a bit like she relies on other people to buy her kids presents.

Getting presents doesn’t mean spoilt. Surely just one or two small presents would be fair?

I would rather teach gratitude year round not just at Christmas. I dont think her plan will work.