The Fantabulous Chronicles

Have you ever felt like someone’s gifting was excessive or way over the top?

Aaron and I are trying to raise our kids to yearn for time over things. When we both were growing up, some of our fondest memories are not of the things we got, but rather of the people who invested their time with us. Maybe it was imaginative play, reading books to us, cooking together, or just hanging out and sharing life with one another. Those core memories do not include elaborate gifts, but quality time. However, when other people go over the top with gifts, it often leaves Aaron and I with a bit of a bitter taste in our mouths, especially when our wishes to keep material gifts non-existent to the bare minimum have been expressed. It feels like it’s an attempt to buy our kids love, when the reality is that the excessive gifts are barely touched, often becoming mounds of clutter to our kids who would rather donate to the less fortunate.

We love to give our kiddos surprises throughout the year, but we also know that we are doing our job as parents, teaching them the value of giving rather than receiving. When we talk with our kids about what they enjoy, many of their favorite things so far in their short little lives, are not toys they have, but rather moments shared and things we have done with them to make them feel special. Maybe it’s running around in sprinklers, drawing chalk pictures, or teaching them how to cook. Sometimes it’s just meeting them with a hug when we’ve been apart that makes their day.

So, to those who’ve ever found themselves in the midst of excessive gifting, it might be worthwhile to ponder how such actions impact the recipients. Consider examining the motivations behind such behavior. Sometimes, a failure to respect the wishes of others can inadvertently strain relationships and burn bridges rather than strengthen them. After all, the most precious gifts are often the ones that can’t be wrapped—time, understanding, and genuine connection.

And as the song said: “You Can’t Buy Me Love”