It's about more than just presents...

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store." "Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!" (How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Dr. Seuss)

I love the idea that Santa is true, as a collective tradition in families all around the world and mine too. That he embodies the good intentions of all the parents that keep his character alive. That he "is the magic and love and spirit of giving to others." And the Elf on shelf helps him decide who is on the naughty or nice list.

But I think this message sometimes gets lost along the way. That in today's hyper-commercialism, Santa is measured by the number or price of presents. Trust me, I could buy all the presents for them in the world if I really wanted to show my children what money was all about.. but I choose not too because that is NOT the true meaning.

I'm going with the theory that, for our immediate family, Santa should bring two or three main presents for each child, not dozens. And parents should provide only a few more under the tree.

Am I wrong? I don't think so.

It would be easy to go and spend a fortune on a multitude of presents to try to show everyone else how much I love my children. But I'm not that insecure. My kiddos already knows how much I love them. And I don't give a damn about "keeping up with the Jones'."

This year, my kiddos only received three main presents from Santa and three from mommy. The rest are of course from my mother (their Mamu) and from the extended family.

My kiddos are privileged as it is. They have everything they need and almost everything they want. And because we have a large extended family plus their father's side, they'll receive a bunch of gifts anyway. Do they need a truckload of more stuff from Santa and mommy? Of course not.

I want Christmas to be about the sensory overload of hundreds of lights and cold crisp nights. Of the smell of baking gingerbread cookies and cake. Of the chorus of carols sung slightly off key. Of being grateful for the year past. Of family. Of Jesus Christ and the true meaning of Christmas. I want Christmas to be about more than just mere presents. I want my children to grow up and understand that. So they can carry it on to there children and there children's children.

Three Big gifts for E from Santa and three little ones from mommy to go with Santa's gifts. Three big gifts from Santa for M and three small gifts from mommy to go with Santa's gifts. That's all they needed and they LOVED IT! It's really not about money.