Why My Kids Are Getting More Presents This Year

This will not come as a shock to you, but in recent years, we’ve been sticklers about how many gifts our kids get for Christmas.

1. We want them to know Christmas isn’t about the presents

2. We don’t want to clutter up the house

3. Money is a thing

However, this year our kids are going to get a bulkier Christmas. And I don’t feel remotely weird about it.

I think that flexibility is key when it comes to pretty much every decision we make in life. What worked for us last year or the year before doesn’t mean it will work for us today. As dynamic human beings, our circumstances and views ebb and flow.

This doesn’t mean you don’t have firm beliefs. It just means you aren’t overly attached to one version of your life. I think that’s a GREAT thing!

Flexibility means we’re kinder to ourselves when we make a new choice.

Flexibility means we’re mindful of different seasons of life.

Flexibility means we’re making intentional choices depending on our current needs.

For the Leyko fam bam, a few reasons play into why our kids are getting more Christmas gifts than they have in the last few years.

1. Our kids are in the PRIME Santa age range right now, while also in the prime age of comprehension. When they were 3 and younger, they didn’t really comprehend more, less, holidays, etc. My husband and I have decided that while they’re in the 4-9 range, we’ll probably do a slightly bigger Christmas because this stage of life isn’t forever, and it’s just plain fun to spoil them a bit. Five years of slightly bigger Christmases isn’t a big deal in the grand scheme of life.

2. We have done such an extreme job of decluttering their toys and wardrobes that adding a few extra things per kid during the holidays isn’t a problem whatsoever.

3. We have slightly more income this year, so we can afford a few more things.

Now, we’re not just getting cluttery gifts for the sake of more. Much of what’s “extra” for our kids this year (more than the 3-5 gifts they’d get in years past) is clothing. Our son loves Harry Potter and has grown out of almost all of his t-shirts, so he’ll be getting a Gryffindor t-shirt. Our daughter loves The Little Mermaid, but her beloved costume is too small, so she’s getting a new one. Our youngest only wears 2 of his shirts because he MUST wear one with a truck, so we’re getting him a 3rd to add to his collection: a fire truck shirt!

There won’t be a ton of plastic toys everywhere. Their gifts are very intentional with our space and their needs in mind!

We’re also reading the book of Luke together to keep the focus on Jesus. We’re making memories with our annual family sleepover on the first night of Christmas break, paper snowflake crafts, and Christmas tunes during dinner around the table. We’re packing gifts for kids in need (areas hit by Hurricanes Helene & Milton) with our church, and coming up with other ideas for generosity.

We still care about Christmas not being about the presents. We still care about not cluttering up our home.

AND they’ll be getting more presents this year.

I hope you feel great about whatever your choice is for how your family celebrates this holiday season!

And if you’re interested…HERE are some stocking stuffers we’ll be putting in our kids’ stockings, which won’t be clutter!