The Grinch (Dad) that Saved Christmas

A small parenting moment, a big lesson in generosity, and the chaos of raising kids during the holidays.

My poor wife. Every year she coordinates the Christmas gifts our children buy for one another. When they were very young, it was adorable to see the gifts they chose. Our son is a young adult and handles the gifts on his own now. But our three girls (8, 10, 12) are still very excited about the whole thing.

Well, they were—until Friday night.

After dinner, my daughters were, with great (great!) excitement, telling each other what gifts they wanted from one another. It was chaotic. It was loud. My wife was struggling to coordinate the whole ordeal.

I was observing the scene while cleaning the kitchen, not fully realizing what was happening. Then it hit me when I overheard negotiations between my eldest daughters, who scurried off into a corner to finalize their deal.

Essentially it was this: “You get me this and I’ll get you that.”

So, instead of surprising one another—instead of being thoughtful and kind—they were using the gifts they planned to give as leverage to get what they wanted.

I was struck by what could only be described as fatherly brilliance (I should pay attention more often). I knew what needed to be done.

I announced to the household right then and there that, in keeping with the wonderful spirit of giving that I just witnessed, and as proud parents recognizing their readiness to experience the full beauty of the Christmas season, sibling gifts would henceforth be paid for by the sibling giving the gift—using their own money.

I smiled and shouted, “Merry Christmas!”

My wife’s eyes filled with tears of joy.

For the kids, it took a moment for it to sink in. Once it did, the protests began and lasted for two days.

Change is hard. So is raising humans.

But that is how the Grinch (Dad) saved Christmas.

Peace.