Over the years, Christmas has become a materialistic season, and have lost the values ​​of generosity, enthusiasm and family celebration. Gift-giving has become the most important and often the only way to show affection. Therefore, it sends a confusing message to the little ones, that the meaning of this special holiday is measured in abundance and gifts.

 

 

 

As mentioned by Carmen Sanchez in her article, our children are the most exposed to this compulsive consumerism: they are a target audience really sensitive to marketing strategies, and as a result, kids are part of the culture of consumerism since childhood. Children often aren’t as excited to know what they are going to receive, but rather they are excited about the number of toys they will receive.

The most serious consequence of not measuring ourselves in the amount of toys we buy is that we are teaching the little ones that happiness is related to items: clothes,  toys, etc. As a consequence, children are growing up with the wrong values and we are seeing a new generation that is highly demanding, individualistic and materialistic.

 

Escaping marketing strategies and making children understand that gifts are not going to give them happiness is a challenge, but we can give them meaningful gifts and bring back the meaning of Christmas, the importance of being together and sharing with our loved ones.

We have put together a few tips that can help you to this purpose:

 

 

It is much more satisfying to the person giving it, and for the recipient, when time, effort and love were invested on making something unique. Handicrafts are a lovely detail and craft stores have a variety of resources and materials to help you create something beautiful no matter your skill level.

 

 

Playing with balls, games, bicycles, or tricycles that motivates your child to play with others, so the family can enjoy time together. At the same time, children acquire social relationships, and these activities promote a healthy lifestyle.

 

 

The new generation of consumers are convinced that they ought to enjoy things and not the experience. We have an option to stop this pattern and provide lifetime experiences as individuals and as families.  Family trips, starting new traditions, service projects are only a few ideas. In addition, betting on experiences decreases one of the most important consequences of consumerism at Christmas: the generation of waste.