So, it's no big secret that kids today are spoiled. iPads, video games, tech toys, Barbie dream houses, power wheels Cadillacs, Frozen everything, Cell phones, and all the latest fashions. This is what most kids have in their rooms right now, so what is the appropriate amount and types of gifts to give your child this Christmas? Parents today seem to be competing against themselves from year to year... but why?

In 2014 social media has been flooded with stories about paying it forward, ALS Ice Bucket Challenge videos and stories of strangers doing spontaneous kind deeds for others. Kindness has become trendy and I think it's a good thing. Rather than give your children all the hottest new toys since their rooms are already packed with toys why not keep it simple?

According to a Gallup Poll, American adults plan to spend an average of $741 on Christmas gifts this year! The holiday season has become synonymous with materialism. This year, the National Retail Federation is projecting that Americans will spend more than 600 billion dollars just on Christmas.

We often hear our parents come out when we ourselves open our mouths and say,"When I was your age we didn't have..." Well, it's the truth so, why do we feel our children need so much more or if they don't have all the latest toys we're somehow bad parents? The fact of the matter is children don't need fancy toys and gadgets to play or have a good time. The best thing they can have, they already own, it's called imagination. So, my advice is to give a gift from Santa and one from each parent. The gifts you choose do not have to be pricey. Maybe give one thing they asked for, and something else to encourage and inspire creativity. An even better gift is your time. Take time to volunteer for a charity as a family or donate gifts to a nonprofit. I promise they'll appreciate that more than a gift card to buy more apps for their tablet.

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