Is It Time You Finally Create a Christmas Wishlist for Your Kids?

As parents, we welcome Christmas gifts of all shapes and sizes for our little ones. They’re gifts after all – voluntarily given out of love and thought.

It’s not customary for us Filipinos to create Christmas wish lists for our kids. But is it finally time to start doing one? Two moms share why they boldly create Christmas wish lists, and what they and their kids learn from it. See if they will get you convinced!

Mommy Andrea Aranas is a professional events host. She has two kids, Agatha and Alonzo. Her idea of coming up with a wish list dates back to her eldest child’s first Christmas, when her daughter got plenty of toys “she didn’t really get to play with and enjoy basically because she was not interested.” As someone who hustles day in and out, Mommy Andrea thought it was a waste of money for the thoughtful givers. Her solution: a carefully prepared wish list for every occasion!

Here’s the Christmas wish list she prepared for her kids last year, that she posted on her personal social media account. Along with this list, she posts a caption that says no one is obligated to give her kids gifts. She also encourages the gift-givers to “skip the wrapping” to keep the tradition “low-maintenance and eco-friendly.”

But the wish lists, however convenient and practical it sounds, was also met with negative feedback. One of Mommy Andrea’s friends told her that “a list adds pressure to people especially family members and godparents.” Until now, her kids still receives gifts which are not from the list, but Mommy Andrea doesn’t mind.

Mommy Andrea raises her kids to be mindful of their resources and to appreciate what they are given.

Mommy Luzvi Villanueva-Fidel, RN, MAN, a clinical instructor at De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, always had a heart for outreach programs. Since her daughter Faith’s first birthday, her family has been facilitating simple outreach activities as a way to share their blessings.

The Pencil Donation Campaign by Faith accepts both brand new and used pencils.

Her family and friends were very supportive of the idea, that they donated pencils not only as birthday gift but also Christmas gifts! Through their official Facebook page called Pencil Donation Campaign by Faith, their campaign has reached far and wide. They have even received cash donations for more pencils from friends abroad.

Despite the success of their campaign, Faith still receives gifts other than pencils, which is completely okay with Mommy Luzvi. This is because she also makes sure that Faith is not deprived of playing with toys and other material things appropriate for her age. Her silver lining is Faith – now 7 years old – is well-oriented on different outreach activities.

Mommy Luzvi also shares that they will continue running their Pencil Donation Campaign, and it is up to Faith to start a different advocacy campaign when she gets older.