Christmas is only just around the corner and that means that you are probably in the midst of buying Christmas presents for your children.
This is a task that can get pretty overwhelming pretty quickly and there are a lot of external pressures with what to get and how much to get.
We have compiled a short list of dos and don’ts for buying Christmas gifts this year in the hopes that it will help you out a little bit.
Let us know what you think of them in the comments and let us know what else you would add to the list that isn’t already there!
First, the positives.
Do
Buy fewer, better quality presents
It is very tempting to buy lots and lots of presents for your children, especially if it was what their friends’ parents are doing and if it is what they are seeing at school and online.
But, you don’t have to do this.
All it does is clutter up your home and waste your money.
It is much better to buy your children a few gifts that are really good quality and that are things they will genuinely appreciate and use.
Don’t get sucked into the pressure from adverts and other parents.
Buy sustainable gifts
Environmentally friendly gifts are very much on the table right now.
When it comes to buying gifts, show your children a good example this Christmas by buying gifts that are sustainable and eco-friendly. It is also great to go for sustainable wrappings and decorations too if you can.
Show your children the value of money
Overall, the most important thing with Christmas gifts is showing your children the value of money.
Help them with understanding why there are fewer gifts under the trees than in other homes and why it is important to appreciate the gifts you get.
Spend time with them opening their presents and playing with their new toys, but don’t place the entire importance of Christmas on gifts.
Focus on spending time together and showing love to each other. That’s the true meaning of Christmas and it is up to you to show that to your children.
Now on to the things that it is best to stay away from this Christmas.
Don’t
Overspend and overbuy
As we’ve mentioned, there will be a lot of parents out there who overspend and overbuy at Christmas time. That doesn’t mean you need to fall into this trap too.
Keep things special but keep them to a minimum.
Focus on quality time instead.
Buy low-quality, single-use gifts
Cheap “tat” gifts are a waste of your money and they always end up in the bin. Focus on quality and not quantity and don’t buy into the little add-ons they try and sell you in stores.
Your children won’t remember these gifts past 2 weeks from now.
Encourage showboating or gloating
Take the opportunity of Christmas to show your children how to behave in a grateful and appreciative way. Try and stave them away from boasting on social media or gloating to their friends.
If you get there early and model good behaviours with your children when it comes to Christmas, it should carry them through to adulthood and they will grow into happy and grateful people.
