If you are like me you love Christmas. I start playing Christmas songs
in August. My favorite CDs are Mannheim Steamroller, Kenny
Rogers, Air Supply, and Children's Christmas just to name a few. Just
about any Christmas CD will do me fine.
Christmas is not the same as it used to be. We have lost what Christmas
is about. I am not talking about the spiritual aspect
either. I am talking about peace, love, kindness, having fun, and
being with family. It is also a time we should be thankful.
I know we just had Thanksgiving, but kids and adults have relied on
materialistic things to make them and others happy during Christmas
season.
Our children aren't totally happy unless they have lots of toys for
Christmas. We as parents are responsible when our kids don't
appreciate what they have. It is our fault that we give our children so
much that they start to expect too much. It is time for us to
change this.
It was in the late 1920's or early 30's that my grandma and her family
went through the depression. During this time of depression in the
country this part of the country was going through a severe drought.
My grandma lived in a small town in Nebraska called Milford. She
remembers living on a farm. Her dad loved cars and was actually
better with cars than he was at being a farmer. But, he always
did his best for his family.
At Christmas time during the depression life was hard and there wasn't
much money to spend. Actually, there never was a lot of money to
spend during the time my grandma was growing up.
Every Christmas my grandma and her siblings would set their own plates,
but this Christmas wasn't like other Christmas'. They all sat
down and their dad had given them their Christmas gift. They got
two pieces of hard candy.
It just devastated their dad that was all he could give his children
for gifts. But, the children were thankful that they got two
pieces of hard candy as Christmas gifts. The following year was a
little better. That year they each got an orange on their plate
as a Christmas gift.
My grandma told me that they never got individual gifts. You see
there was 10 siblings in the family. There were six sisters and four
brothers. So, they would get group gifts. So, that means
they would have to share. When times got little better they got
an accordion. One year they were given two dolls.
My question to you and myself is, "Would our children be happy with two
pieces of hard candy?" Of course you would have to say, "No."
I am not saying that we should not give things to our children.
What I am saying is maybe we shouldn't over indulge our children with
gifts. Maybe it is time we tell our children to be happy with
what they get and not be upset with what they didn't get.
Family is more important than gifts. Spend time playing ball,
frisbee, or as my grandma and her siblings used to do play kick the can
or ball, or hide and go seek.
I believe this Christmas, and every Christmas thereafter, we should
teach our children how lucky they are. Teach them to be thankful
for what they get. We should tell them the history of our
parents, grandparents and our great grandparents.
If you don't know the history of your parents, great grandparents, or
grandparents please discover your family history. Ask them to
tell you their history of growing up. You will find they love
telling you their stories and what a joy it will be to you to hear them.
Teach what you have learned to your children. Or, have your children
listen to your parents or grandparents stories. This way your family
history can be passed down to your children, grandchildren, and great
grandchildren. We can learn a lot from those who came before us.
Thank you for reading my articles this year. I will have new articles posted in February.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Don't forget to hug your children and tell them that you love them. Bart Buskey, Meridian, Idaho email at:
