The research is clear that the more children are focused on material things, the more they are stressed out. This season near the holidays, consider giving more time, instead of things, to enjoy your holidays. Take time to create and practice holiday rituals together; whether that is a rainy day hike through the woods, lighting candles at meal time, sharing highs and lows at dinner, making cookies and taking them to neighbors, volunteering together at a shelter or convalescent home, or decorating the house festively. If you have rituals such as these that are practiced seasonally or annually, your children will remember these experiences as they get older, instead of the toy that broke after a few uses. Even if you think your children do not understand what these rituals are about, it's important to begin to incorporate these practices in your life now. These articles below help you focus on how to teach your kids to be grateful instead of materialistic. Seven Ways to Fos