Christmas season

Well, I'm not a parent, but I think this is really important. I grew up in a non-religious family (although we were baptized Catholic ... just never went to church ... not even Christmas or Easter), and I recently have become very religious and spiritual. Where I was usually very much about Santa and presents, I've been finding myself getting upset with my mom and friends who get me gifts. One, because I can't afford to get them anything. And two, because that's not what Christmas is about! But then when you think about it, the season is about giving. I think it's important to remind children why we give ... because Christ was very giving and loving. But it's important to give meaningful gifts. It's important to sing more Christian Christmas songs, rather than Santa-based songs. Same goes for the stories. It's important to have Jesus in the home throughout the year and not just for a short time at Christmas. It's important to put up a nativity scene rather than Santa with reindeer. Or both. Santa is a very fun part of Christmas for the kids, but there would be no reason for Santa if Jesus Christ weren't born.

well, by grounding the children in a Bible believing church (and sunday school) as well as instilling the Christmas story plus we always told our daughters when they were younger that they got gifts from people who loved and cared for them, not an impersonal santa.