I remember well Christmas day when my children were little: the giving and receiving of gifts, having family and friends over to share the fun. The incredible amount of food and trying very hard to stay awake after lunch!
I loved watching each child unwrapped their gifts. The look of surprise, happiness and the eagerness to play with their gifts. The gift for a one year old was very simple, a box of cellophane paper with different colours and the box big enough to play with too, loading and emptying it.
Like most parents, I was faced with the dilemma of promoting the Santa Claus tradition. I remember, as a little girl, finding out and feeling bitterly disappointed that Santa Claus was not real. I did not tell my children Santa does not exist, I chose to promote the celebration of the birth of Jesus. I was telling my oldest child Simone, when she was about 6 years old, about the birth of Christ and she had a very thoughtful look on her face, then asked me "If God became a Man, then who was minding Heaven?". Good point! What can a parent say to that? I love the way kids think.
I also decided never to ask my children what they wanted from Santa. I decided instead to cultivate a sense of being able to give and receive. Instead of focusing them on "what do I want for Christmas", I encouraged my children to either save up for the gifts they wanted to give or to create/make them.
I enjoy giving and enjoy receiving. I wish for each and every one a Silent Night and Glorious Christmas Day.
Rene
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