This year Justin and I have decided to do something different for Christmas. We have been pondering a way to simplify Christmas for some time now. Our children, like all children, love Christmas and of course Christmas gifts. As they are getting older, they are becoming capable of asking for more, and sometimes even, expecting more. We feel the need to teach them that more is not always better. Sometimes, more is just... more.
Last year, I read about a new gift giving idea and shared it with Justin. Each family member receives four gifts: something they NEED, something they WANT, something to WEAR, and something to READ. Eureka! We both agreed - this was a great idea! Of course the children will still receive the customary gift from Santa and their stockings will be filled, but they now will know what their limitations are as far as Justin and I are concerned and they will have to consider what it is that they most want in these categories rather than presenting us with an endless list of meaningless items.
I am pleased at the thought of Christmas being so much more simple and less stressful this year. We have put a lot of thought into this idea and I know the girls will feel especially loved Christmas morning when, rather than just an abundance of gifts, there are select gifts that they were really hoping for. We are especially hoping that our children are still young enough that they can easily forget the years of over indulgence and find the true meaning of the holidays. 
We have tried something similar the last couple of years, and it does make the holiday so much less stressful and sooooo much more enjoyable. Yay for simple!
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