All three were very content and grateful for what they received. Although there were many presents wrapped and under the real tree, the girls were happy to just hang in the living room and play with and admire their new things left by Santa. I think it is more the idea that Santa left them something and not about what was left.
In my book, this is another baby step away from intense focus on gifts and more towards celebrating with one another. If I had it my way, the gift giving would begin and end with the stockings. The materialism that this holiday exudes is such a slippery slope. Why must Christmas involve piles of gifts?? Over the past two years we have consciously chipped away at the piles of gifts we give our girls. We currently give each girl three gifts and then the sisters give to each other. Maybe next year we can take it down to one gift from the parents. . . I really don't think the girls would even notice.
Another route we could take in order to steer clear of the materialistic slip-n-slide is a philosophy that Savannah adopted this year. Savannah prided herself in a handmade Christmas. I must disclose that this is in large due to the fact that she goes to a Quaker school. Quakers are all about simple pleasures. Thus, a handmade Christmas placemat (that you can use every Christmas Mommy) and special woven coaster were the treasures that Alex and I found when opening our gifts from Savannah. We loved it. Savannah's love spoke right to my heart this Christmas day. She is an amazingly selfless girl and repeatedly told me that opening gifts wasn't her favorite part of Christmas. Savannah also mentioned that she didn't care how many gifts she received because spending money on our three adopted children in Africa was more important than buying toys.
Ahemm. . . need I say more about piles of gifts?
While I promote a less materialist Christmas, I must admit that I enjoyed seeing my children delight in the day. Here they are coming downstairs Christmas morning. As stated above, I thought this was a rather calm and peaceful morning considering there were three very excited children in the house.
In the end, Goldfish crackers in the stockings are biggest hit anyway. Who needs toys after all.
For the materialistic record, this was the year of. . .
Trains for Adeline - is there any other kind of toy for this girl?
Ducks, ducks, ducks, and the Duck Princess
LEGOS for Miss Savannah. Don't think for a minute that the 12+ on the box held her up in the building process either.
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