Have an Entitled Christmas

Have a entitled Christmas

That’s kind of what’s happening in our world, isn’t it?

Much has been written about the materialism of Christmas. Unfortunately this isn’t just a Christmas problem – it’s an everyday problem.

In our instant society, our kids want what they want and they want it now.

And most of what they want is expensive. Last year’s most sought after gifts were Play Station ($400) and Xbox1 ($500).  It’s been estimated that the average parent spends $271 per kid. Interestingly, 75% of these parents also say their kids are spoiled. In addition 10% spend more than $500 per kid. Seventy-five per cent of the parents also said that they have guilt when their child doesn’t get everything on his list. (As someone said – “Where in our economy are parents even getting this kind of money?)

Another finding is that most parents do not insist that their children write thank-you notes. When asked about thank-you notes, many older teens/early 20s had interesting comments. Everything from “Finally when I was 21, it clicked why my mom thought it was so important because then I realized then that the person giving the gift goes to a lot of trouble” to “I never even KNEW people wrote thank-you notes until I was in my late teens. My parents never taught me to do so.”

One boy answered, “Hey, let the joy of giving be your gift. You don’t need thanks from me!”  (After all, he’s entitled.)

God’s Word, however, tells us we are to be focused on Christ, not on what we can get and how quickly we can get it. Yet, we have created a generation of kids who have no sense of appreciation for what they have and when they do get something – they just want more.

They feel entitled. (I’m not sure they could answer the WHY of entitlement. They just feel that they are.)

Paul wrote: Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (I Thessalonians 5:18)

That being said, getting and giving gifts is an enjoyable part of the holiday – but our attitude should not be one of entitlement, but of gratitude. Our focus should not be on what we get, but what God has given us.

Some suggestions as to how we can get the entitlement out of Christmas.

1. Limit how much you buy your children. (One idea floating around Pinterest suggests a three-item Christmas list. 1. Something you want. 2. Something you need. 3. Something to watch or read.)

2. Do a family service project over the Christmas holidays – make this somewhat challenging. Discussing as a family how you’re sending $50.00 to an orphanage is great – but if the $50.00 comes out of the parents’ pocket with no effort on the kids’ part, it won’t mean much. So establish a work day where the kids earn the money to send to the orphanage. Also encourage older kids with part-time jobs to contribute.)

3. Plan activities that focus on family/friend time rather than a trip to the closest electronic store for the latest gadget.

4. Watch your own attitude. Is your own to-do list ridiculously long? Do you need new technology because what you have doesn’t have this month’s latest buttons?

5. Help your kids buy/make present for others. Who? Anyone who regularly gives to them or older relatives such as Great Grandma who no longer can afford or has the means to give to them. You could also choose (through church or charitable organizations) a family for whom your family can purchase gifts.) these gifts do not have to be expensive (or bought). Grandpa’s favorite cookies or a painted picture for Aunt Jill to hang in her office will work just fine. But children/teens need to get into the habit of giving back …

6. Ask them to sign Christmas cards (if you still send them) and put on the stamps, so they’re part of the tradition.

7. Read received Christmas cards at the dinner table and then pray together for the families who sent the cards.

8. As a family, memorize a few verses on giving or gratitude. Some suggestions: Psalm 100; Proverbs 21:27; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Colossians 3:15; Colossians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; James 2:15-16.

9. Make sure your children/teens write thank-you notes. Oh, yeah, YOU need to write them, too! Thankfulness doesn’t stop when you’re 12.