Two years ago, we stopped giving our kids birthday and Christmas presents. And if I’m being honest, I was the holdout. I loved the rush of Christmas morning. All my kids are around. Paper everywhere. Big smiles.
Missy challenged the habit. The excitement was terrific, but short-lived and often centered on the wrong things. Most gifts were unremarkable and ended up as clutter. We made the switch in 2023, following conversations that began in 2021. I have to admit, I wasn’t thrilled about this idea. It took me some time to adjust.
We still celebrate. Cake. Ice cream. Family time. Now our focus is shared experiences. One big trip each year. Smaller local adventures, the kids help plan. Hikes, museums, cooking together, and time with grandparents. It costs more than the pile of gifts we used to buy, and it has been worth it.
I thought the kids would take it the hardest, but it turned out I was the one who brought it the hardest. Who knew. Fast-forward to today, and the kids are not upset about present-free holidays. Really, it doesn’t even affect them. When a small surprise shows up, they light up because it is rare and thoughtful.
It is easier on us. Less clutter. No last-minute scramble. More time together. I am grateful I listened to my wife on this.
How does it relate to technology in any way? It doesn’t really. You could tie “stick to the fundamentals” to this, I suppose. But really, it’s not the point. This is what our family does, and it works well for us.
Have a good weekend, my friends.