Crutches for a Christmas Present? It’s Logical

For the last five days I have been in my bed recovering from ankle surgery. So a couple times a day each of my sons will wander in to see me or bring me something I need. Invariably, each one will grab my crutches and play with them. Every. Single. Time. So for fun, I called them in one at a time to test my theory that they couldn’t walk in my room without touching the crutches. Here are the results:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SO what is my point? Well this time of year most parents begin a frantic search to find stuff to buy for their kids for Christmas. You know, something that will make their eyes light up and tears stream down their cheeks in joy. We hand them catalogs, march them down toy aisles, and request extensive lists. But why? Why do we, year after year, buy more and more toys and junk that our kids don’t really want or need?

Based on all the fun I see my kids having with my crutches, wouldn’t it make sense to buy them each a pair? No. Why not? Because intuitively we know that crutches will only be fun till their newness wears off. Already I have noticed a slight increase in the amount of time they are in my room before they have to touch the crutches. After my six weeks on crutches, I would imagine they won’t even miss them when they’re gone. I doubt one of the boys will say, “I sure wish I had crutches to play with.”

Just for fun, ask your kids to go find three presents from last Christmas?

Have them look at some of their toys and try to remember the last time they played with them?

If keeping toys organized is a problem, you might wonder if there are simply too many for a child with organizational challenges to manage.

Despite my brother throwing away the Toys R Us catalog, my 2nd grade nephew found the Target catalog and got pretty excited about a giant army tank that looked really cool. Excitedly, he showed it to his mom and dad. “Well, maybe you can put that on your Christmas list,” my brother commented.

But then my sister-in-law took a closer look at the ad. “Actually Buddy, you already got that for Christmas last year. It’s in the basement!”

This is the reality of Stuff.

Sure I can name cool toys that the boys have played with regularly (usually some type of weapon), but if you already have enough cool toys to play with, consider going a different direction this year.

What about buying them things they need or that are useful and you want them to have  anyway: a wallet, a watch, a lunchbox, a sleeping bag, clothes, boots, shoes, socks, bedroom decor, toiletries. Yes I just admitted to wrapping acne pads and putting them in a Christmas stocking. Trust me, it’s exciting and thoughtful because the kid has acne!

Here is a great list of one hundred other great non-toy gifts.

Whatever you decide to do this Christmas, where ever you decide to set the bar for extravagance or simplicity, remember that there was a day when a child would be thrilled with one or two simple toys for Christmas. Thrilled. And grateful. Don’t let our culture of excess rob your child of the ability to be grateful for enough.

Crutches for a Christmas Present? It’s Logical.