Is the gift-giving parent out of control?I want a Ferrari

Is the gift-giving parent out of control?

Or

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth and Ferrari

If giving is better than receiving, when is it inappropriate to give? This is the season to give. Let us give our children all kinds of gifts, or this is a moment of education that will continue this season and beyond. Gifts, gifts, and more gifts are increasingly cluttered and, worse, bring lost lessons to recipients. No, you can’t own a Ferrari. I have to wait until I’m 16 years old.

Unfortunately for recipients, gifts can flow all year round as unworthy prizes and rewards. Your donor knows who you are. Taking out the trash, making a bed, brushing your teeth, improving your grades, being kind to your sister, and putting up a table are not gift-worthy opportunities. Enough! Every year there are special events where you need to give a gift, but even if you can afford a Ferrari, moderation is the watchword.

Just because your 9th grade wants a $ 400 Gucci belt doesn’t mean he gets it. The latest iPhone? Forget it, companion. And I can’t believe what my grandson wanted for Christmas. In fact, I’ve never heard of it, but it’s a pandemic in his high school in Connecticut, and kids pay a lot for it.

It’s a shirt called Supreme. Children will pay hundreds of dollars for the privilege of wearing a shirt that doesn’t even have the name of Mickey Mantle on their backs. And according to my grandson, the price can be as high as a thousand dollars. Oh, God.

If you can afford an elaborate gift, don’t do it. If the beggar continues, my standard answer would be:

• Use the money you save.

• Wait for it to save sufficiently.

• Maybe when you graduate from college.

• Yeah. Not this year.

• Ask your grandmother.

• Need more Lego? You are enough to open your own Legoland. How about Lincoln Logs?

Lessons learned

This is a lesson about giving. Depending on the age, buy some gifts for the child or family in need, each assigned to them. Then take the children and deliver the gifts to the family or the organization that distributes them. No, you can’t sit on your lap while driving.

For example, the US Marine Corps-sponsored Toys for Tots welcomes your contributions, as do local homeless centers. If your child is old enough to have his own money, give them the freedom to buy gifts and decide on poor recipients. Remember that they are not poor. If so, ignore this paragraph.

Many places of worship have ministries that reach out to the local community to serve the underprivileged. Gifting includes not only a concrete gift, but also a gift of your time to a local organization that serves the community. Time is the same as money.

Get rid of the mess and feel good about it

Is there a garage or attic full of “things” that you and your kids aren’t using? Don’t wait until it’s time to give that gift of the year to get rid of it. As a family, collect it, pack your car and drive to the appropriate donation center. Well, doesn’t it feel good? And your neighbor will stop talking about you.

A recent article from the New York Post caught my eye. Naomi Schaefer Riley’s “Present Tense” refers to Marie Kondo, a best-selling author who wrote the art of tidying up in Japan: life-changing magical tidying up. Mr. Kondo emphasizes the “minimalist” lifestyle. That sounds like a good idea, but my focus is not on clutter, but on establishing a culture in each home that practices the three Ks of Karing, Kompassion, and Kindness. Mark it, but spell it correctly.

Ancient

When I was an ancient kid, I didn’t expect much, my parents didn’t pay much, and when it came to the gift season, for that matter, I didn’t get much throughout the year. Only four people in the neighborhood wanted to survive: bicycles, baseball gloves, baseball, and pink Spalding. I used the pink rubber ball to play a stoop ball and a stickball.

As parents and grandparents, I followed suit and spared expensive gifts for my children and grandchildren. I usually gave good advice on the importance of reading and making books, money, and your own choices.

Yeah, but it’s 2017

This “I’m the first” generation spits on the latest electronic goods, electric toys, designer wear, and video games where God helps us. Please do not give up. Instead, give up on people in the community who need food, clothes, books, bicycles, and perhaps baseball gloves.