Children today are more particular about what they want for Christmas. With so much advertising that exists on television and radio, children are targeted from many different angles. They start early each year to make a list; all the time trying not to forget anything.
Multi-billion dollar businesses come up with extensive marketing campaigns to target a young audience. On Saturday mornings, our children are bombarded with commercials about new and exciting action figures, electronic games, dolls, etc. And as parents, we can only wonder where they got the idea for a specific toy. At times it becomes a difficult task to choose a gift. And although the decision-making process is hard, we still try to provide all the material goods that will make our children feel as if they have all they want or need to make their holiday complete.
Parents should use good judgment and common sense when helping children with their "wish lists". If kids are asking for merchandise that have no educational value or will not be played with regularly, then that particular item should not be purchased. Adding ideas of our own can also be helpful. Sometimes we have better ideas of what our children will enjoy than they do.
The holiday season provides us with an opportunity to give our children many of the gifts that provide them with enjoyment and fun, yet they should still understand that they are loved and valued as well. Although the season can hold many gifts for children and adults alike, the greatest gift is the gift of giving. Maybe in the core of the holiday we can show our children that receiving gifts is fine, but sharing or giving is good too. For example, children can see the true meaning of the holiday season by donating toys to needy children or helping with food and clothing drives. There are many resources that exist to help others during this time of the year.
Always remember that "children will be children" and allow them to enjoy the holiday. As parents, we can instill in them the values that make all of us caring human beings such as the value of helping others. Someday when they become adults, maybe they will remember that all the gifts we gave them were special, but the greatest gifts were a sense of giving, pride, love and family. Hopefully, these gifts will be passed on through many generations to come.