Fewer gifts can be more

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON

“I am wishing for you this day a happy Christmas. I would send you

those gifts which are beyond price, outlast time, and bridge all

space. I wish you all laughter and pure joy, a merry heart and a

clear conscience, and love which thinks no evil, is not easily

provoked, and seeks not its own; the fragrance of flowers, the sweet

associations of holly and mistletoe and fir, the memory of deep

woods, of peaceful hills, and the mantling snow, which guard the

sleep of all God’s creatures. I wish that the spirit of Christmastide

may draw you into companionship with Him who giveth all. Come, let us

adore Him.”

-- BISHOP REMINGTON

We all know how many days are left until Christmas. Some of us may

still be rushing around trying to buy just the right presents. Many

friends have said how stressful it is to think they have to buy the

greatest gifts, decorate and dress perfectly, and on and on.

One friend said she felt frazzled for weeks as she listed all she

needed to bake, buy, wrap and send, and that every time she crossed

one thing off her list, she added several more.

“I know that Jesus is the reason for the season, but I’m feeling

more like Scrooge, and I’m snapping at my precious young children,”

she said.

I mentioned that when our daughters were young, we tried to avoid

too many gifts and glitz by giving simply and then giving extra to a

needy family or organization. For several years, we also had a “Happy

Birthday, Jesus” party, which was a night when we dressed casually,

ate simply on trays by the fire and sang Christmas carols. We didn’t

exchange gifts that night, but we often shared a gift we would like

to give to God. I remember answers such as “read more,” “be less

grumpy” and “spend more time with God.”

I also mentioned that a friend recently gave me an article about

simplifying the season. It’s titled, “Why I’m giving my children less

this year,” written by Joyce Maynard, and it appeared in a past

Redbook magazine. The author wrote about mistakes she’d made in the

past when trying to satisfy every want and need for her children. She

wrote about creating a sense of wonder at Christmas without overdoing

everything.

“Here’s what happens when you give a child 30 amazing gifts: None

is amazing anymore,” the article says. “They like them. They may even

love a few. But the specialness of any one gift is diminished by the

profusion.”

She wrote that things such as camp, computers or sporting gifts

were wonderful privileges for our parents’ generations, but seem to

be expected by many youngsters today. She said that problems can

easily arise when we over-provide for our children, and that it is

more healthful to meet real needs more than to meet every want.

She’s right. Laughter and love and enjoying God’s creation last

longer than a mountain of presents. There are times when less can be

more and simple can be more satisfying. May we try to think more

simply, and may the true spirit of the season draw us closer in

connection and communion with our loved ones and with God.

You can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

[email protected] or through the mail at 537 Newport Center Drive,

Suite 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.