Lessons from The Grinch
The Grinch says, “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe, Christmas, perhaps means a little bit more.” This year, I really got to thinking about Dr. Seuss’ wise words in relation to the value of gifts.
I’ll admit that this year, I was feeling particularly grinchy. Somehow, my older kids (ages 6 and 4) discovered Toy Surprise on YouTube and were transfixed for longer than I care to admit. Mashems and other blind box toys, albeit very affordable and small, were “gifted” too many times to count over the summer. Then, the Target holiday magazine arrived in October and the kids circled almost everything. My husband found it comical; I did not. I was too busy having heart palpitations about the junk that would potentially take over our small house.
How would I help my kids produce a modest and meaningful wish list to Santa? And so I got to thinking about what defines a valuable gift. Imagination. Hours of fun. Unforgettable memories with those you love. In short, staying power.
The best gifts are those that make you, the giver, feel sentimental, reminding you of the meaning behind the simile, “Like a kid on Christmas morning.”
Toys and Games That Stand the Test of Time:
- Legos: My aunt and uncle recently visited and brought bags of Chanukah presents. The biggest hit, though? The already assembled Lego jet that was once built by my now 34-year-old cousin. The kids immediately boarded a dozen of their own figures on the aircraft and entertained us with tales of their travels.[easy-image-collage id=40137]
- Uno/ Jenga/ Sorry!/ Guess Who?: Whether you’re playing a marathon of one game or alternating between a medley of them, these easy to learn games fill pockets of downtime. Since they do not require much skill, everyone has a chance to win. I still remember my endless excitement the Christmas I received Guess Who? Whether I lost or won didn’t matter; I stayed in the same spot beside my grandmother’s tree. My aunts, uncles, and parents rotated as my opponent until dinner was ready to be served.
- Nintendo Gaming Consoles and Mario games: Yes, Santa is bringing us a family Switch. I was more of a Game Boy girl, but I’m hopeful I can learn alongside my kids as my husband attempts to teach us his expert skills. Talk about teamwork and friendly competition.
- Mad Libs: There are vastly more category books now than when we were growing up. You’re never too old to laugh at potty language in a sentence.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/ Superhero figures: There’s just something really cool about transforming into a more hyped up version of yourself to run, kick, fly, skateboard, etc. into battle.
A Wrap-Up Exercise
As you wrap up your holiday purchases, take a walk down memory lane. What is one of your favorite gifts from your childhood? If you still have it, break it out of a storage bin and share it with your kid(s). If you don’t, consider buying something comparable that will stand the test of time. Share your story of enjoying the vintage gift, and create new memories that your kid(s) will pass down as the new gift gracefully ages.
