Ellen Painter Dollar
Last week, I contributed to a debate on the Brain, Child Magazine web site about indulging (or overindulging) children with gifts at Christmas. The debate featured three of us explaining our giving traditions, and how and why they came about. Jennifer Collins wrote about their family’s decision to scale way back on gifts, focusing on homemade presents, charitable donations, and giving their kids experiences rather than things. Kristina Cerise wrote about creating gift-giving traditions that are meaningful for everyone when one’s spouse grew up with different traditions than you did. And I wrote about how indulging my kids in a generous pile of gifts on Christmas morning is one way I tell my kids that I really see who they are and are becoming.
Really, all three of us were arguing the same essential point: We all believe that gifts and giving traditions need to be thoughtful, meaningful, and tweaked in a way that makes sense for the particular blend of personalities and histories that make up our unique families.
What do you think? You can read all three pieces here, and add your thoughts either on the Brain, Child site or here.
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