what's in the box?

I don’t know who or what deserves the credit for this (though I’m happy to take it!), but my boys have had to be coaxed and prodded to come up with ideas for what they want for Christmas (which is the gift-giving holiday we celebrate in these parts). Is it my strictness? My older son’s natural semi-obliviousness (he really does live a lot of time inside his precious head)? Non-commercial TV?

I’ve written before about how I don’t buy many (or any) toys, which has led to a relatively sparse playroom. That’s changed in the time since I wrote it, largely because I’ve expanded the boys’ birthday-party experiences to other kids, not solely family (because in my family, the predominant gift is clothes and other necessities, or at least it was in the first few years of their lives, for which I’ve been grateful). So now they do have toys and games, but still they don’t sit around asking me for stuff, or grabbing the Toys R Us circular from the Sunday paper and pointing out their faves. In fact, a couple weeks ago, I showed them the Big Book of Toys or whatever R Us calls it, and they sort of lost interest.

Which does not mean they are not interested in toys; they are. But they aren’t knocking down Santa’s door listing the gifts they expect to receive. The ideas so far:

• Daniel: a microphone. A camera like mom’s.
• James: Cars racecars.

…aaaand, that’s it.

What do I want? Things I’m not getting anytime soon, if ever, such as a mudroom off my kitchen and my formerly-taut midsection. Things that are truly impossible, like more time in my week. And things that seem possible, but remain just out of reach. Like patience. And compassion, and peace.

Many years ago, my dad, at our request, made a short wish list. It read:

• socks
• shirts
• apres ski boots
• peace on earth

I don’t have perfect recall on this, but I’m pretty sure he at least got the socks.

Here’s what I’ll probably get for the boys: More Cars cars, and maybe something to keep them all in. Something art-related, and some books. Some chocolates and little toys for the stockings. A microphone (Daniel wants it, but they’ll sort-of share it). And my old digital camera, with a new battery and memory card to spruce it up.

Here’s what I want to give them:

• more years of un-greedy humility
• more time with their family, both young and old
• a desire, at least, for peace on earth

What are your gift plans for your children?