Three Gifts at Christmas?

[DVCLiz]

I know the obvious reason some people choose to give only three gifts at Christmas - my question is, when did this start? When I was a child, I NEVER heard of anyone I knew limiting the "Santa" gifts in honor of the three gifts given by the Wise Men. And yet, these days I see and hear more and more families making this choice. My question is, when did this start in your family? Is it something your parents did that you follow? Or did you make the decision to do it, and why?

I have a little bit of a vent about it, of course - I'm REALLY getting tired of my friends who make this choice being so obnoxious about it anytime the subject of Christmas gifts conmes up. Santa has always brought a big pile of gifts at my house - one or two small things from parents, but mostly Santa, Santa, Santa. And that's the way I do it, too - and I don't want to hear any lip about it !!!!!

I totally respect your right to choose what and how many gifts you give, but why does it seem that this has become the "norm" and that so many people who do it have such an obnoxious attitude about it???

 

[kilee]

I don't do this. I do agree that they would expect you to respect them for their 3 gift decision- they shouldn't judge you for your pile of gift decision. People need to be tolerant all the way around- not just of what is right for them.

 

[KathyTX]

I haven't heard of this here... Santa does tend to go a little overboard at my house, but mostly with fun and small gifts.

There are so many different traditions, and families with so many different financial situations. Seems like we should all be able to do what works best for us. The competition surrounding what is the "right" way to celebrate really takes a lot of joy out of it.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I know the obvious reason some people choose to give only three gifts at Christmas.

Jesus gets three types of gifts (G/F/M) in the Bible not three gifts. Just as Wisemen visit him not three Wisemen. We have extrapolated it to three Wisemen each with one gift. And the Wisemen have names, but not in the Bible. It is also possible that people other than the Wisemen gave the new King gifts. They would not have been rich, go G/F/M would not have been something they could give. So how many gifts did Jesus get? Nobody knows that is alive today. So I see no reason to get only three gifts.

 

[Poohnatic]

I don't know about that rule. When I grew up, Santa brought almost everything we got.

My kids have a different expectation, fortunately. I've got a very large family, and my Mom and MIL have always been quite generous with their gifts. As a result, early on, we'd get one big Santa gift and maybe one gift. Last year, it was one big Santa gift each. This year, it's looking like it will be two medium size gifts.

Honestly, the kids have a lot under the tree thanks to all the aunts and uncles. They will be fine with that-they always have been.

That said, I never will give anyone else a hard time about what they give, how much they give or when they open their gifts.

Suzanne

 

[kbkids]

I have several friends that do this, and with them, it started at birth with their kids. I think it would be hard to implement after the kids get used to a pile of gifts. Or maybe you could start it once they are older, and "Santa" isn't an issue anymore.

At our house - yes, big pile of gifts - but Santa brings the one BIG gift on Christmas morning, and Mommy and Daddy buy everything else, which we open on Christmas Eve. That's how it was done when I was growing up, and it's worked great with our family, as my parents come over on Christmas Eve for all the gifts to be opened, and then after Santa comes on Christmas morning, we go to DH's family since they do a BIG Christmas day.

I think no one should be criticized for what they choose. We are a deeply religious family, but I simply prefer to get my kids (they're still young) lots of little things. It has nothing to do with disrepecting Christ or the Christian tradition. Alot of the friends I have that do the three-gift rule spend way more money than we do because they buy three HUGE gifts. We simply buy one (or Santa does) and then everything else is smaller.

When I first heard of the idea, I thought it was really neat. My oldest was still just a baby, so we could have easily started it at that point, but I am so much a traditionalist at heart. I just have in my mind's eye the big huge beautiful Christmas tree, complete with the Nativity at the base of it and lots of presents underneath the tree. SIGH! Can't wait to get our house finished. We didn't have room for the big tree this year in our temporary housing! That little 4 ft tree in the corner just isn't the same!

 

[MagicKingdom05]

I agree with what WebmasterKathy said. All of our families should beable to celebrate like they want regardless of what there tradition might be. My family has always had a tradition where we eat Christmas cookies while opening gifts Christmas morning which I always look forward to every year. However just because we do this doesn't mean it's any better of a tradition then the family next door.

 

[DVCLiz]

I'm glad to see these replies!! I totally agree that everyone's Christmas should be their own, from how many presents, to when they are opened, who leaves the cookies out, what kind they are, etc. etc. etc. I just have started to feel that there's a "movement" out there somewhere to make "big pilers" feel they are out of step with "three gifters."

As long as we mix secular traditions with religious holidays, I guess there will be people who feel strongly both ways. Kind of like my friend who only filled her children's Easter baskets with religious symbols. (That one I never could fgiure out - "OK, there's a big rabbit and he brings - ceramic crosses?")

Anyway, off to finish wrapping!!!!!!!!

 

[kristen821]

I agree with what WebmasterKathy said. All of our families should beable to celebrate like they want regardless of what there tradition might be. My family has always had a tradition where we eat Christmas cookies while opening gifts Christmas morning which I always look forward to every year. However just because we do this doesn't mean it's any better of a tradition then the family next door.

That is a fun tradition! I want that one!

 

[MagicKingdom05]

kristen821,

You would be amazed at how many people over the years I have told about the cookie tradition that have given me the "we would never do that" response, like we are doing something wrong. Obviously this hasn't stop us from continuing the tradition.

 

[binny]

We have friends who do this too. I think its great if thats what works for them.

Hasnt been our tradition here though. LOL.

Santa brings a couple of gifts but as has been said several times, Im not letting the old guy get all the credit Mom and dad ( read MOM) work really hard to find the right gifts for the kids and we are taking the credit

 

[kbkids]

Anyway, off to finish wrapping!!!!!!!!

Can you come do mine? I'm only half-way through, and now the kids are out of school, so not sure when it's going to get done! At this moment, the three-gift rule is looking good.

 

[kbkids]

Santa brings a couple of gifts but as has been said several times, Im not letting the old guy get all the credit Mom and dad ( read MOM) work really hard to find the right gifts for the kids and we are taking the credit

YUP!! Me too!! I buy the kids' gifts from everyone - grandparents too. Then the grandparents come over and pick out what they want to give out of that stack. They like it - easier than shopping - and the kids get what I want them to have or what I know they will want. But every year, there are always gifts that are off-limits - I'm getting credit for those!! This year, Mom and I had a "fight" (not really, just playing) over the cheerleader doll because I know my DD is going to love it! I gave in, Mom gets to give it, but I stayed adamant on the Doodle Bear!

 

[kristen821]

kristen821,

You would be amazed at how many people over the years I have told about the cookie tradition that have given me the "we would never do that" response, like we are doing something wrong. Obviously this hasn't stop us from continuing the tradition.

Really I am thinking of stealing your idea! That would be a special treat to have cookies for breakfast. Probably has the same amount of sugar as cereal anyway!

 

[binny]

LOL Sherri!


I often have to shop for the ILs too because they live so far away and onl;y see the kids once a year ( if that). Thats ok though I am of the same belief that you are, there are some toys that I just dont want in the house and dont want to promote. This way I get some say in the matter

 

[MagicKingdom05]

kristen821,

Very true, plus it's once a year. My mom makes the cookies, the fudge, etc and enjoys watching my dad, my brother and myself enjoy them. I'm sure were not the only family that does this.

 

[EthansMom]

I don't have a big problem with how many gifts people give their kids. Whatever works for you.

The one big thing that does bother me with Christmas gifts: My SIL and BIL buy out the toy store for their kids and say that it's all from Santa. (Okay, their call, no problem.) But then, when the kids open the gifts from my family, the grandparents, etc., my SIL wants to say all of those gifts are from Santa also. Already, her 7 year-old wants to know why Santa is dropping presents off all over town for him. And I want to know why her kids don't have to say "Thank you" to me for the toys I bought them!!!!!!!!

When we opened all of the grandparents' gifts together last year, I made sure my son thanked the appropriate gift giver as he opened each gift.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

EthansMom,

I think that if the gifts came from you or someone else, the person who gave the gift should be the one who says who it came from. If you decide to go along with Santa brought the gifts, fine but if you want them to know you brought it, then you should have that right.

 

[kbkids]

I don't have a big problem with how many gifts people give their kids. Whatever works for you.

The one big thing that does bother me with Christmas gifts: My SIL and BIL buy out the toy store for their kids and say that it's all from Santa. (Okay, their call, no problem.) But then, when the kids open the gifts from my family, the grandparents, etc., my SIL wants to say all of those gifts are from Santa also. Already, her 7 year-old wants to know why Santa is dropping presents off all over town for him. And I want to know why her kids don't have to say "Thank you" to me for the toys I bought them!!!!!!!!

When we opened all of the grandparents' gifts together last year, I made sure my son thanked the appropriate gift giver as he opened each gift.

That would bug me too, but I think it will backfire on them. What happens when he starts wondering why Grandma gave Ethan and Molly a present but not him.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

kbkids

Good thinking. It might be trivial to the parents, but this is something that a kid will pick up on.