Parenting Guru: In our house, Santa only brings each child one gift

We've all heard the kids shouting in the toy aisle: "I want that Mommy! and that! and that!" No matter how hard we try, we can't get away with pretending those kids aren't ours. My kids immediately want every toy they see in commercials, every toy in the pages of the catalogs we get in the mail, and every toy they walk past at the grocery store.

With four kids to buy presents for, not only does our budget limit the number of toys we can buy, we simply don't have room for the amount of things that each child might get. With this in mind, we decided that at our house, Santa only brings each child one gift.

This helps my children really think about the toy that they would most like to have. As they pore over the catalogs before they write their letters to Santa, they may see a lot of toys they would like to have, but each year they are able to narrow their choice down to the one thing they really want to have for their very own. They also receive toys from their grandparents, and we are always able to give them other gifts as money and space allows. From Santa, however, they will each receive just one special item.

I like the idea that the holidays aren't about getting as many new toys as they can. I want them to be able to get something special each year, something that won't get lost among the wrapping paper and discarded ribbon after 5 minutes. My kids still remember what Santa has brought them each year. By receiving only one gift from Santa, the holidays are simpler and less stressful for me and the kids gain a lasting benefit of choosing carefully and treasuring the special gift they find from Santa on Christmas morning.

Photo by fazen

You can read more of Melanie's writing here.