4 Things Children Really Want

The Four Things Children Really Want for Christmas

1.  Children want and need a Christmas celebration enriched with family traditions.

Traditions give children the opportunity to do something they enjoy year after year.  Traditions also give children great comfort and security.  When everything in their lives seems disrupted by the holiday season – school is out, their parents are extra busy, and everyday rituals fall by the wayside – the children like to have well-defined holiday traditions to hold on to.

2.  Children want a relaxed and loving time with their family.

The greatest need of all children at Christmas, just like at any time of year, is the assurance that they are very much wanted and loved by their parents.  But, time can be so crowded with holiday preparations that children are often pushed to the side.  To avoid this, parents need to set firm priorities.  What changes can you make to be free to spend more quality time with your family during the season?

3.  Children want realistic expectations about gifts.

Parents need to define the celebration for children.  Talk to them about gifts, share their sense of values, and make opening gifts just on of the many exciting things to look forward to at Christmas time.  What are some ways you can make gift-giving more realistic and meaningful for your family?

4.  Children want a more evenly paced holiday season.

One child put it this way, “I have to wait two billion years for Christmas and when it comes, it only lasts a second.  Then the whole world is plain again.”  While pre-Christmas activities are important, it is just as vital to have special after-Christmas activities planned. (See the list of ’31 Things to do at Christmas Time’.

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