“Mom, I want a Mac laptop for Christmas.”

My eleven-year-old is sitting in the kitchen slurping up Cheerios he’s dumped halfway across the table. “Oh, and a Playstation 2.” I throw him a dish cloth and moan.

“Ah-huh. Is that all?”

I sound like Judge Judy. I’ve been hearing the I-wanna’s, I-gotta’s, and I’ll-die-if-you-don’t-get-me’s for the past six weeks and it’s barely December. According to the twins, the “Twelve days of Christmas” are nothing more than “The last Twelve Days to launch the most virile Christmas List defense.” The only thing I might get wrapped up today is the boys’ closing arguments.

“Any chance you know what a computer or a Playstation costs?” I ask.

“Doesn’t matter what it costs, Mom…” Apparently, he’s factored in the possibility of a hostile defense and has carefully prepared a rebuttal. “I don’t need you to buy them for me… I’m asking Santa.”

“Hey, we get presents from Santa this year?” Indigo snatches the cereal box from his brother’s grip and liberated Cheerios fly from counter to cupboards to closet. I throw him a broom and groan.

“Exactly. What makes you think you’re getting presents from Santa this year?”

Eden throws himself on the table and Indi’s smile turns upside down. “Huh?”

“Santa,” I point to some Cheerios under the dishwasher and continue, “Is someone you no longer believe in, am I right?”

“Ya, but…”

“Ya, but…”

“Ahuh,” I give them a conciliatory smile. “Looks like you’re getting socks and underwear from Mom and Dad this year.”

Eden acts like he’s been physically maimed. “What do you mean? Santa always brings me the present I ask for.” He stomps off to play the X-box Santa brought him last Christmas and Indi buries a frown in his bowl of cereal. My heart drops. This isn’t a problem that started today, it’s a Christmas List crisis that’s been building for years.

So, what do you do when despite your greatest efforts you’re now suffering from post-traumatic commercial-Christmas disease?

It sucks butt, I know.

Every year I’ve shuddered as the gifts and expectations have gotten more expensive, more elaborate, more damaging to the pocket book. This wasn’t what I wanted for my children. Especially when I’m a firm believer that the greatest gift we can give our children on Christmas morning is an appreciation for the simpler things.

So what do you do? Well, this year I’m biting the bullet. I’m cloaking myself in a suit of emotional armor and saying what I’ve wanted to say all those years when the kids were too young to understand… I’m going to tell them, “Christmas is not about getting toys and gimmicks and elaborate presents. Christmas is about giving.”

This year, my husband and I are committed to making a different choice for the holidays. Instead of caving to the commercial hype, we want to do something that fills us with more joy than spoiling our children. We want to give to those in real need this Christmas. Those in need of the same basic necessities that we so often take for granted… food, shelter, clothing, hope.

The best way I know how to do this is through the Kelowna Gospel Mission and I encourage everyone to participate in making this holiday season one that exceeds even the most optimistic expectations. If you go to the website and find their Christmas catalogue,

Kelowna Gospel Mission

you’ll find a fabulous Christmas list where you can choose what you would like to purchase as Christmas gifts this year. Whether you pay for a meal, a week of shelter, a dental check-up, or even work boots, you can be assured that you will be making a significant contribution not just to those less fortunate, but also to our community as a whole.

Do my kids need a new computer? Strangely enough, their computer just died a slow and painful death, so in the spirit of the holidays we might let them spend some of their savings and buy themselves a replacement. That way, they will truly appreciate it. As for Christmas, we’ll be logging on, selecting some gifts for the Gospel Mission, and turning the Christmas tide for our family. It will take some adjusting, but I know we will all be better for it.

The perfect Christmas gift! To order a copy of Arlena’s hilarious book, On the Bright Side… and other rose-coloured catastrophes, please visit:

Red Wagon Services

Free gift wrapping! If your purchase is a gift or you’d like your book signed by the author, please email redwagonservices@gmail.com when you place your order.