approx. 4 min read
Christmas is the festival of love and the festival of family. In times of abundance, however, it is also increasingly a festival of consumption and material goods. What impact does it have on children when they are showered with gifts, what does the shopping frenzy mean for our environment, and how can Christmas be celebrated so that it becomes the best day of the year even without a mountain of gifts? You will find out all this here.
What happens when children receive too many gifts?
The joy is enormous when your child finds a sea of gifts under the tree on Christmas Eve. But this joy quickly fades. This is because children are simply overwhelmed by too large a quantity of toys. Overload leads to great stress in little ones, which in turn severely restricts concentrated and creative play. This type of play is, however, very important for your child's development. It helps them develop motor skills, enhance their ingenuity and independence.
Plastic toys: Not sustainable and toxic for children?
Many toys also mean a lot of waste later on. Of course, it depends on what materials the toys are made of, whether many artificial colors and ingredients have been added, and how high the quality is. Plastic elements, however, are very concerning, not only for the environment but also for your child. Since little ones tend to put toys in their mouths, harmful substances and plasticizers can be ingested.
Tips for Christmas shopping
How can the points mentioned above be avoided without running out of gift ideas?
Tip 1: To avoid having to do without a large number of gifts, you could divide one gift into several parts and wrap them individually. This way, the fun of opening gifts is not lost.
Tip 2: Older children are happy about gifts that promise time together. Family time often comes to short shrift in everyday life, so why not give a joint trip to an amusement park, a slide paradise, or a board game for joint game nights.
Tip 3: Sustainable toys made from natural materials not only protect the environment but can also sustainably support your child's development. Especially toys that offer diverse play possibilities encourage your child to think for themselves and become creative. Since the trend is increasingly towards a conscious lifestyle, the selection of natural toys is also growing. Of course, you do not have to do away with plastic toys 100%, it is enough to reduce the quantity of toys made from problematic materials. This way, the few may also have a greater value for your child.
A joyful festival
Christmas is, of course, not just about gifts, but much more about spending time with family. Many children lack joint activities in everyday life. The Christmas season is therefore the best time to become aware of this and to create an even closer bond with love and care. Often, it does not have to be many gifts. Traditions will surely stay in your child's memory much longer than a toy they once wished for. So it is worth repeating certain Christmas customs year after year. This could be decorating the tree, for example, or, if it is to remain a surprise, the joint visit to the children's church service or a very special Christmas dinner.
For more joint activities during the Christmas season check it out here!
So, have we piqued your interest? Then head straight here to our shop, so that you too can get your child digitally ready in an age-appropriate way and without sensory overload!
Do you still have questions? Then feel free to look here by.
Your Anio Team
