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The holiday season is here, and I find myself in a familiar dilemma—choosing Christmas gifts for my kids. Growing up, unwrapping piles of presents with my big family at my grandparents' house left memories I'll always cherish. But I also remember when my parents shifted our holidays, giving fewer gifts. The magic didn't fade—it just looked different.
As a parent now, I embrace minimalism and intentional living, focusing on what truly adds value to our lives. I want to teach our children that joy isn't found in things, but balancing that with my desire to create holiday memories can feel challenging.
Still, I'm choosing gifts that reflect our values—thoughtful, practical, or experience-based—and leaning into traditions that bring us closer: holiday crafts, Christmas movies, and Elf on the Shelf (even though I question it every year!). We hope to give our children moments they'll treasure long after the holidays.
They are getting a few toys—a doll and a car track—but they're also receiving board games, tie-dye t-shirt kits,
Nex Playground, tickets to the children's theater, and, most importantly, protected time with my husband and me.
If you've felt this tension, too, you're not alone. Let's gracefully navigate the season and focus on what truly matters—love, joy, and memories that outlast the wrapping paper.
