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I read an interesting article today that was titled "How To Create Your Own Family Christmas Traditions" and I'd like to share some of the insights I gained from it.
The article was very interesting because the author pointed out how when adults (us babyboomers) talk about our childhood Christmases, we talk more about traditions than we do a specific gift or toy.
He goes on to answer the often asked question "Who's responsible for creating the (over-)commercialization of Christmas?" Is it the retailers? the toy makers? No, he answers, it's us - and our need to give our children the latest, fastest, techno-gizmo, flavor of the day thingamajig!
Think about it for a moment and it makes sense (at least it did to me). The retailers and toy makers are only responding to the "need" we create.
If we weren't so set on being the first one in the store to get the early bird specials, they wouldn't have early bird specials. And it's not the kids who are creating the frenzy, it's the adults.
For example, he points to the "beanie baby" craze of the '90's. Who were the ones hording and collecting the next must have beanie creation? Not the kids but the adults. How many of each type of beanie toy did you purchase in order to make sure that you had enough for your children and your personal collection? (This really hit me as I one of those adults trying to complete my "collection")
He states that we've become a generation of collectors and we in turn are passing on this attitude to our kids.
Now, think back to your own Christmas celebrations as a kid? Maybe there is a special toy that you fondly remember because you wanted it so badly. More often than not though you will recall the love, the friendship, the spirit that was shared among your family and not the toys and gifts.
In my own family my mother and brothers always kid me about playing with the box the toy came in more than the toy itself. I fondly remember two special toys - a "Cuddly Duddly" stuffed dog and a small race track. When I think about the race track I can picture my grandmother, my younger brothers and myself playing with it and having so much fun. But more importantly I remember that we gathered as a family, went to church as a family, celebrated the birth of Christ, and celebrated with other family members around a special meal. What I remember and recall fondly about my childhood holidays is family and not the toys and gadgets.
I'm not trying to preach to anyone ... just sharing how this story touched me and made me really think about how I plan to celebrate Christmas with my family next year. And also what I'd like my family christmas tradition to be in the future.
The article was very interesting because the author pointed out how when adults (us babyboomers) talk about our childhood Christmases, we talk more about traditions than we do a specific gift or toy.
He goes on to answer the often asked question "Who's responsible for creating the (over-)commercialization of Christmas?" Is it the retailers? the toy makers? No, he answers, it's us - and our need to give our children the latest, fastest, techno-gizmo, flavor of the day thingamajig!
Think about it for a moment and it makes sense (at least it did to me). The retailers and toy makers are only responding to the "need" we create.
If we weren't so set on being the first one in the store to get the early bird specials, they wouldn't have early bird specials. And it's not the kids who are creating the frenzy, it's the adults.
For example, he points to the "beanie baby" craze of the '90's. Who were the ones hording and collecting the next must have beanie creation? Not the kids but the adults. How many of each type of beanie toy did you purchase in order to make sure that you had enough for your children and your personal collection? (This really hit me as I one of those adults trying to complete my "collection")
He states that we've become a generation of collectors and we in turn are passing on this attitude to our kids.
Now, think back to your own Christmas celebrations as a kid? Maybe there is a special toy that you fondly remember because you wanted it so badly. More often than not though you will recall the love, the friendship, the spirit that was shared among your family and not the toys and gifts.
In my own family my mother and brothers always kid me about playing with the box the toy came in more than the toy itself. I fondly remember two special toys - a "Cuddly Duddly" stuffed dog and a small race track. When I think about the race track I can picture my grandmother, my younger brothers and myself playing with it and having so much fun. But more importantly I remember that we gathered as a family, went to church as a family, celebrated the birth of Christ, and celebrated with other family members around a special meal. What I remember and recall fondly about my childhood holidays is family and not the toys and gadgets.
I'm not trying to preach to anyone ... just sharing how this story touched me and made me really think about how I plan to celebrate Christmas with my family next year. And also what I'd like my family christmas tradition to be in the future.
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