Consumer Christmas

Almost everyone who sees us this time of year asks the kids one question, "What do you want for Christmas?" This is an issue for me and I would like to explain why.

1. Are you sure we celebrate Christmas? The assumption is that we are not only religious, but Christian. While we do celebrate Christmas, these are huge assumptions. Imagine putting kids of other beliefs on the spot multiple times a day to explain why they don't want anything for a holiday they don't celebrate.

2. Everyone seems to think Christmas is too consumerized. (I think I made up that word, but I like it.) Many people focus more on the gifts than anything else. There are reminders not to forget the reason for the season, but those same people, in my experience, are the first to ask the kids what they want. How are the kids supposed to think Christmas is about anything other than gifts if you start every conversation with asking what they want?

3. My kids generally have no idea what they want. We don't watch tv so they don't see commercials. They often offer to give away toys they don't play with and mention that they have too many toys to clean up. As the only grandkids on either side of the family, they are correct. We have WAY too many toys. We go through the toys at least twice a year getting rid of the things they no longer play with. So when someone asks what they want, they really don't know how to answer. They give answers like "a sharpened pencil" or "a rat snake" because it's the first thing that comes to mind. They have plenty of pencils, but they often break them. There are rat snakes in the neighborhood because there is a field behind our house. We don't need either of these things.

4. When realizing my kids don't know what they want we get suggestions like "take them to a toy store." One of two things happens when we do this. Either the kids will claim they want everything, including the plastic price tag holders on the shelves, or they will look at the prices and say it's not worth it. Our kids have had "jobs" to earn money for years and when they save up, they are encouraged to spend some of it. When it's their own money, those toys just don't have the same value. This has taught the kids to appreciate how much things cost and they really don't want anyone wasting money on things they know aren't worth it.

So what would I like people to say when they greet my kids? Here are some suggestions:
"Hi"
"Are you doing anything special this week/month/season?"
"What are you reading?"
"Will you get to see your extended family soon?"
"What is your favorite thing to do/eat/play with/read?"

Just please, don't ask what toys they want and then complain about a consumer Christmas. Just don't.