Letter - Your time is best Christmas gift for young children

To the editor:

Are you dismayed by the escalating cost of creating that perfect holiday for your family? Do you find yourself scurrying frantically trying to get your hands on the latest toy for your toddler, or taking your family to as many festivities as possible, believing it will make Christmas more special for your little ones?

In their report, “All I Want for Christmas,” Family Action of the United Kingdom discovered many of the children they surveyed preferred more quality time with family and less of the commercial aspects we’ve come to associate with Christmas.

“Our parents are telling us that Christmas is a time of pressure for them as they seek to meet the perceived expectations of their children,” said Family Action Chief Executive Helen Dent. “The children in our report are telling parents that the way to make Christmas special for them is to make time for them and to give them an experience they never forget. It’s about decorating the family home and Christmas tree together or cooking a special Christmas dinner or gathering around the TV to watch a DVD.”

Perhaps the best thing you can do this holiday season is slow down and enjoy being together as you make special memories for your family that will last much longer than that battery-operated toy.

Nancy Jost,

early childhood coordinator

West Central Initiative

Fergus Falls, MN

Tags: opinion, letters