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21st November 2023
09:47am GMT
Buying your children Christmas presents has become one of the biggest festive traditions, but not every parent supports it.
Does it take away from the true meaning of Christmas? Maybe a little, but it's something we've done for decades and it'd feel wrong not to have something under the tree for our loved ones.
One mum has opened up about why she doesn't give her children gifts at Christmas and we adore her honesty.
Mum-of-two Cherlyn Sue said she's never bought her two-year-old or four-year-old a Christmas gift.
The Australian mum explained that she values experiences over gifts and wants her children to have the same beliefs.
She told SBS:
"We are very aware that in this area, there is a lot of competition... I didn't want [the children] to buy into any of that because it's so materialistic and you're always going to get somebody who is going to have more than you, who is going to spend more than you, and then the people who have less than you, then get forgotten."
The mum added: "We rate experiences over things. Children's attention spans are short - an experience will last years. They remember holidays, and going to theme parks and zoos."
The mum explained that she'd rather create memories with her children than shower them with gifts they'll eventually tire of.
She also said this has nothing to do with money, but about teaching her children about what really matters in life.
We adore how honest Cherlyn Sue is about this decision. It has really made us think.
