Experiences vs Materialistic Things: Is there room for both?

With Christmas looming, I’ve started to see an increase of people posting the same question over and over again in money saving and parenting groups on Facebook.

Do you think I’ve bought my children enough presents?

Does it look like my son has more presents than my daughter?

I don’t understand why people post these questions, along with a picture of a huge pile of presents for their children.

Firstly, if you’re that concerned that you’ve bought your son more presents than your daughter there’s actually a simple solution to find out. It’s called counting!

Count how many presents you have for your son, then count how many you have for your daughter. That way you’ll actually know for sure who has the most. Why ask strangers in a Facebook group other than to show off?

Secondly, “Do you think I’ve bought enough presents for my children?”

Well, to be honest, that’s down to personal preference and budget.

I mean to one person the picture of the mountain of toys you’ve bought your children for Christmas, may seem over board, but to someone else it may not seem enough.

Only you know how much is ‘enough’.

Some children get a handful of gifts for Christmas, whereas others get piles and piles.

I’m not judging either way and I’ll openly admit that I like to spoil my children when it comes to Christmas and I have posted pictures online in the past of the children’s presents wrapped up under the Christmas tree, but it’s down to personal preference, budget and I guess, expectation.

I don’t think children really care about how many presents they get under the Christmas tree as long as there is something there. Whether that’s two gifts or ten gifts.

One person’s pile of presents could have all been bought in sales, the pound store and bought throughout the year.

Another person’s pile of presents could have all been ordered online for full price within a month of Christmas.

Who knows?

Either way, there’s no wrong and there’s no right.

I like to think that children enjoy the presents they receive, regardless of how many or how little that is, but I also like to think that children enjoy the experience of Christmas just as much.

I’m talking about having the whole family come over, talking to one another, enjoying each others company, eating good food and just being happy in one another’s company.

Also, who’s to say that you actually have to give your children physical presents?

I mean, many parents opt for experiences over presents.

Experiences that don’t have to cost a fortune. A weekend at nanny and grandads, a picnic in the park or a trip to the zoo.

It’s hard to say how children these days feel about Christmas. I read a lot people saying that children are getting more selfish, but I have to disagree.

It’s all about the way we raise our children.

We need to raise them to be respectful, kind and generous towards others. To appreciate life and all that it has to offer, but also to enjoy the treats such as gifts etc, but not to take them for granted and certainly not to expect them.

What do you think?