As a kid in the early ’90s, I desperately wanted an Easy-Bake Oven. All my friends had one—or so I told my parents. I imagined all the delicious treats I could whip up, maybe even opening a little baked goods shop for some extra cash! Finally, Christmas arrived, and there it was, my dream toy under the tree. So many fun accessories! But after a few days of creating some pretty awful muffin-like concoctions and a nasty burn on my finger, I shoved it into the closet and moved on to the next big must-have toy.
While I do remember some favorite toys from my childhood (I still cherish my worn-out stuffed rabbit named Benny), my fondest memories are tied to the imaginative games I played with my brothers in their bunk bed. A few blankets draped down created our own cozy worlds. We could blast off into space or take a cross-country road trip in a big rig. We spent countless hours outside, zipping around the woods on our bikes. I also cherished the time spent with my grandparents, fishing and berry-picking, even though there were no toys at their house—it was my favorite place in the world.
Now, as a parent to a little girl named Sophie, I vowed (to the amusement of my co-workers) that she wouldn’t be one of those kids with enough toys to open her own store. Yet, somehow, in less than three years, she has collected a mountain of stuffed animals and plastic trinkets. It’s tempting to blame well-meaning relatives, but I’ve also contributed to her toy collection. Each time I see something cute, I can’t help but think, “Sophie would adore this! I must get it for her!” Like most kids, she tends to either ignore new toys altogether or play with them a few times before returning to her old favorites.
Before Halloween had even passed, people were already asking what Sophie wanted for Christmas. Honestly? She’s 2. She wants to wear my flip-flops around the house and ride our dog (with great enthusiasm!). But toys? She doesn’t really want them, and certainly doesn’t need them. She delights in reading, coloring, and running around—none of which requires toys. What she truly needs is my time and attention, a space to play, and sometimes a bit of guidance, but definitely not more stuff.
This Christmas, I’m starting what I hope will be a tradition that lasts a lifetime. I won’t buy Sophie any toys. Instead, I’ll pick out a book and some craft supplies, and we’ll spend time reading and creating together. I plan to take her to choose a gift for a child in need and participate in a toy drive. I’ll also donate to a charity and engage her in conversations about the meaning behind giving. I want her to experience the holidays as they should be—filled with gratitude, generosity, and quality family time rather than consumerism. When the inevitable avalanche of gifts from relatives arrives, we’ll discuss what to keep and what to donate, emphasizing that we don’t need so much stuff.
As she grows, Sophie (and your kids too) will be bombarded with messages that Christmas is all about them: “What do you want for Christmas?” “Have you made your wish list?” “What’s Santa bringing you?” I want her to learn to reject the materialistic narrative that surrounds the holidays. I hope she becomes curious about media messages, questioning advertisements and those attempting to sell her something. I want her to feel empowered to challenge traditions, especially if they seem outdated or excessive. People often use tradition to uphold the status quo, but I want Sophie to understand that sometimes, going against the crowd is the right thing to do. Plus, I’d love to walk through our home without tripping over brightly colored plastic junk.
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In conclusion, this holiday season, let’s focus on creating meaningful experiences with our children rather than accumulating more toys. The true spirit of Christmas lies in our connections, generosity, and the joy of simply being together.