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Making the Holidays Less Materialisic
The "gimmes" are all around us during the holiday season. You know - "Gimme this," "Gimme that," "I want this," "I want that." It can be hard for children - and parents alike - to look beyond all of the product-driven hoopla to see what the holidays are really about. It's not the actual gifts but what's behind the presents that's important - the spirit of giving. Help your kids learn the fun of giving, and how rewarding it can be to look for, make, and wrap something special - or do something special - for people they care about and others who are in need. Here are five ways you can help decrease materialism in your kids and reinforce the real reason for the season. 1. Teach Kids to Question Marketing Messages The advertisements kids see around the holidays can help foster unrealistic expectations and lead to disappointment. After seeing their "wish list" items presented perfectly all around them, it's hard for reality to measure up when they actually open their gifts. Of course, it's nearly impossible to eliminate all exposure to marketing messages. You can certainly turn off the TV or at least limit your kids' watching time, but they'll still see and hear advertisements for the latest gizmos and must-haves at every turn. But what you can do is:
Teach your children that not everything they want can always be theirs. Also explain to your kids that a little "want" here and there isn't all bad. The key with wanting things, as with most things, is to do it in moderation and to fully appreciate what you're given. Emphasize that the holidays are a special time, when a lot of love and thought is put into gift giving. Jump to full text of this article here.
Categories: Family, Newsletter, Tags: holidays, ![]() |
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