Teaching Gratitude over Materialism This Holiday Season

The holiday season is here once again, bringing with it a whirlwind of excitement and activity. It’s that time of year when stores are filled with brightly colored decorations, shiny new products, and aisles of toys that capture the magic of the season. 

Everyone is busy crafting gift lists, both for giving and receiving, while the hustle and bustle of the festivities create an unmistakable energy. With this flurry of activity, the true essence of the season often gets overshadowed, reminding us of the importance of slowing down to appreciate the simple joys and connections that make this time of year so special.

It can be hard to resist the pull to materialism when our memories are full of early Christmas mornings running to see what gifts we would receive as children. However, we can be intentional about remembering this season is not only about new things, but instead about the love we share with one another and the gratitude for what we already have. 

1. Understand the Roots of Materialism

We know that living in the Western world, materialism is hard to resist. We are surrounded by societal influences, like advertisements and comparisons with others, that shape ours and our children's materialistic desires. It can feel almost impossible to escape the constant messaging that equates possessions with happiness and success. 

As a result, we think we “need” more, when in reality, we just want more. This cycle often leaves us chasing after things that ultimately fail to bring lasting fulfillment. Learning to be content with what we have and resisting the “need” can start with simple daily practices. 

2. Cultivate Gratitude Through Everyday Practices

Something as simple as changing our vocabulary from “need” to “want” can be a great place to start. Recognize that we don’t need anything at all, and take a moment to notice all of the provisions we already have. 

Beyond this, we can integrate simple, actionable ways to cultivate gratitude into our daily routines, such as family gratitude journals, thank-you notes, or reflective conversations. By modeling gratitude and creativity in your daily actions and attitudes you can create a lifestyle of contentment that stems beyond the holiday season.

We can also recognize that continually buying the next greatest thing, like the new kitchen gadget or the newest iPhone, takes away from our sense of creativity and contentment. 

For example, do you really “need” a belt hanger? Or can you take an old wire hanger and bend it into something that works? Do you “need” all of these organizational items you see on Amazon and Temu, or can you just use a good old cardboard box? Keeping up with the Jones’ and striving for perfectionism in our daily lives not only takes away from our creativity in solution finding, but it can also create an endless cycle of purchasing the newest things.

3. Emphasizing Experiences Over Material Gifts

Creating meaningful memories through family traditions and shared activities rather than focusing solely on material presents can be a great place to begin. It’s not that buying gifts is bad, but we can take some focus off of the gifts this Christmas by creating new traditions and letting the gifts be a small part of what the holiday season is all about. 

You can also put an emphasis on giving homemade gifts and experience-based gifts or activities that foster connection and appreciation rather than giving material gifts at all. Things like going on a camping trip, taking an art or dance class together, or going to the theme park they’ve always wanted to go to are all ideas that can create lasting memories. 

4. Teaching the Joy of Giving and Helping Others

The holiday season can make it easy to lose sight of our own privileges amidst the chaos and festivities. Take a moment to slow down and involve your family in acts of kindness, such as volunteering, donating, or even baking cookies for the neighborhood kids. Giving is important as it can help you and your children understand the impact of generosity and create a deeper sense of fulfillment in your life. 

Think of someone in your life who might be sad, lonely, or facing a tough time, and find a way to share the Christmas joy with them. Engaging your children in donations and volunteering can nurture empathy and reduce self-centeredness during this season of giving. A great starting point is Operation Christmas Child, it’s a simple and affordable way to give this season. It’s also a way that can help your child feel engaged as they pick out items for other children their age. 

With all of that being said, I hope your holiday season is full of gratitude and joy and I wish you all a happy holiday season and a very Merry Christmas.