Cutting the Endless Christmas List

Here is a Christmas parenting tip I wish I had when my children were little. In our Advent Bible study entitled "The Redemption of Scrooge" the author,  Matt Rawle, provided this advice to keep kid's Christmas lists under control. They used the Want, Need, Wear, Read, Share approach to their children's gift lists. 

British mother of three, Emma Tapping's Instagram
photo of her Christmas tree, which went viral last year.

The concept is simple - five gifts and that's it. One is something you desire/want, one is something you need, one is an item of clothing to wear and one is a book you want to read. Finally, there is an extra gift for you to share with someone else. No overwhelming mound of gifts, no excess - just enough to enjoy without overkill.

As the queen of excess, this method never occurred to me, but I like its simplicity. It allows the family to enjoy gifts while still maintaining the focus on the meaning of the holiday. Rawle said his children are still excited on Christmas morning and that it has not detracted, but enhanced their Christmas.

He points out that our abundance is someone else's deficiency. That unworn sweater in our closet could have been a source of warmth for someone who is cold and homeless. The extra pair of shoes might have helped a barefoot child or the unused bath set a source of hygiene for a young mother. 

This is why one gift is a present to share. It reminds children of the importance of not just receiving, but also of giving. 

So this season, when you think you should buy that "one more gift," pause for a moment. Is it a want, need, wear, read? If not, maybe it is time to share.