Living Simply October Challenge: Day 11 - Kids

     Does your holiday season look like this? If so, I'm here to help you. Why do we think we have to give our kids so many individual gifts? Where did we get the idea that they need or even want all that junk? For decades now I've seen friends buy their kids cheap, crappy, unwanted toys just because they only had so much money and they believe the kids would rather have 25 crappy things than a few that are worth more. I'm here on behalf of the kids who've told me, it's NOT that way at all. They don't want more stuff to pick up when they clean their room. They don't want a bunch of stuff they have to make room for when they know they won't play with it. They knew what they wanted (and I don't mean the $500 new game system and accessories). More is NOT better. INTENTIONAL gifts are better by far.


Here's how to think about shopping for kids this year:

1.  Give them something to wear. Face it, kids hate to get those clothing box sized gifts. Unless it's something very specific to their likes, they smile, hopefully say thank you, and put it aside, forgotten before the next box is opened. If your kid has a favorite sports team, they don't need a $300 authentic jersey - but you could get them a more reasonable one. MLB for example sells many baseball jerseys for over $100, but for a little over half that, you could get a nice one with either their favorite player on it, or even their own name on it. Don't forget department stores also sell team hats, shirts, pajamas, and more. It could be a shirt with a specific anime or cartoon character on it (Hot Topic has some cool ones). Maybe a favorite tv show can be found on a t-shirt, or superhero lounge pants. Make it intentional so they know you thought about what they like, and don't shoot for the higher price tag.

2.  Give them something to read (or an audio book if that's their learning style). I know kids don't necessarily enjoy books, but sometimes it's that one that interests them that leads to a love of reading in years to come. I'm not a huge Harry Potter fan, I believe there's much better literature out there, but I watched when it was a new thing...hundreds of non-reading kids suddenly picked up and read hundreds of pages in Harry Potter books. That led to other series, and now many continue reading. It could be the Narnia series, Lord of the Rings, some other fiction series, and for the older kids, and the teenagers, a self-help book could change their adult life. Maybe something like a Dave Ramsey book, or The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Give them the resources to understand adult finances, good work habits, people skills, things they'll need later on.

3.  Give them something they need. Does a teenager need a bike to pick up some extra part-time work? or babysit a few blocks away? or get themselves to their own practice and back? What about special school supplies, again with something relevant and intentional - like glittery pink notebooks or themed folders? What about some good pens, drawing pencils (very different from regular number 2 pencils), How To Draw type books for your artist? Maybe they need a membership to their favorite museum or zoo? Gift cards to department stores so they can buy what they need? Specific hair products or colognes aren't always great gifts, but the gift card is usually appreciated so they can buy those things for themselves, which also teaches them to budget what money they have to spend wisely.

4.  Give them one thing they want (within reason). It doesn't have to be expensive. You could give them a price limit on the ONE special gift. If it's something they really want, not just something they saw on a passing commercial, give it some thought. Be intentional. Consider if it's something you as their parent want them to have - is it good or bad for them to have it? - and if it meets your criteria, then go ahead and get the one thing they really want.

Again, gifts are optional if you're leaning towards a minimalism lifestyle as a family. This is much easier if the kids are very young because they'll grow up with a different mindset than those around them. If you're not quite ready for that, but still want to move towards a more simple life, this is a good place to start. Today's challenge is to begin your list(s) today.