Your family can rethink gift wish lists and prioritize time together with these tips for making the switch to giving fewer toys and more experiences this holiday season .
Examine your values
Tell your child ( ren ) a story about a time when you received a non-material gift when you were a child . What was it ? How did it make you feel ? Talk about how not all presents come from the store .
Value experiences over possessions
What does your family enjoy doing together ? How could that translate into a gift for Christmas ? If your child loves animals , consider a family zoo pass . Is your little one a budding artist ? Maybe they could ask for a ticket to a local museum
or class at an art center . Little ones adore opening presents , so maybe give one small coordinating gift to go along with the theme of the future experience . ( Think a popcorn bowl with popcorn and snacks to go with tickets to the theater , a ball cap to go with tickets to a baseball game , and a stuffed animal to go with a trip to the zoo ) so they can still open something .
Model it
Consumerism is caught , not just taught . Kids are paying attention not only to the culture around them , but to how the grown-ups in their lives act , too . If you have a long holiday wish list yourself , they ’ re likely to follow suit . Keep communication open about experiences big and small that have meant a lot to you . Look at pictures as a family of fun times and traditions you ’ ve had together with friends and family . Showing them — not telling them — goes a long way in helping kids broaden their idea of gifts .
Be mindful of media
Sometimes I ’ m shocked at all the toys my kids have on their wish lists . Where did they even find out about half of these things ?
Help your child be conscious consumers by talking about the ads you catch on TV , and pop-up ads you see from online games . Advertising can be sneaky and young children don ’ t know how to not take ads at face value . In fact , the American Psychological Association has indicated that advertising to young children is unfair and misleading because young children don ’ t have the developmental ability to understand that advertising is tricky and trying to sell them things . Keep those lines of communication open !
34 GeorgiaFamily . com