Why Christmas
is Really All About Children
It could be
said that since it was the birth of a baby as a gift
to
mankind that gave rise to Christmas, then children
should also and always be the primary focus of the
season. Individual families will say they have
always put children first and parents will sacrifice
seeking their desires at Christmas to make sure
their children are satisfied. And although adults
also look forward with much anticipation to the
Christmas season, the frenzy that accounts for all
the shopping and preparation during the Christmas
season is really for the benefit of children.
From a financial perspective, the extensive shopping
done at Christmas is really of benefit to
businesses. But what really drives the maddening
shopping activity is a desire by parents, relatives,
friends and acquaintances to play Santa Claus,
mainly for children. Within families, children are
usually the ones who individually receive the most
gifts. And it's deservedly so because their
wide-eyed anticipation, excitement and pure joy when
they open their Christmas presents gives everyone an
indescribably happy feeling.
Along with playing Santa Claus and secretly getting
gifts for children,
adults also use the Santa story for all it's worth
as an effective means of discipline. As soon as the
Fall season approaches, children will begin to hear
warnings about their behavior and the consequence of
Santa Claus not leaving any toys or presents like
the wonderful ones they received in the prior year.
And when the Santa Claus story is not being used to
help to get the best behavior from children, it is
simply pure fun to delight them by telling them
stories about Santa Claus, his elves and reindeers
to simply enliven their imagination.
The story of Santa Claus is even useful for older
children who may just be starting to unravel the
mystery of Santa Claus. The stories that tell of
different places where Santa Claus actually lives
can be a starting point to go on an imaginative
journey around the globe and become a geography
lesson to learn about those places.
Children are also central to Christmas because the
many grand displays of Christmas scenery, colorful
lights and sparkling ornaments really target the
attention of children. So, if children were not so
important at Christmas time, then it is quite
possible that many of the traditions that make
Christmas what it is would not exist. As an example,
Valentine's Day and holidays related to Easter have
a much different mood and atmosphere. Children
aren't the focus in
celebrations for those special periods.
Christmas is also an important period for the toy
industry whose clients are naturally children.
Although the industry is part of the big retail
picture and therefore seeks to boost sales during
the Christmas season, there is also a deeper meaning
for children. Toys are important to entertain, to
educate, to help children develop their imagination
and to develop coordination and other skills in
children. Toys can also help children to play
together and learn to share.
The toy industry is therefore important at Christmas
time in introducing new products that are integral
to the development of children. When children become
totally captivated by a new toy at Christmas time,
it may help them to learn a new skill or provide new
knowledge all in a fun and captivating way that will
make it more likely that whatever is learned will be
remembered.
Children are also the focus of Christmas
celebrations because it is
important to create fond childhood memories of the
season. These memories are created not by children
necessarily receiving a lot, but by enjoying
everything about the season. The story of Jesus with
the moral of sharing, giving and doing kind deeds
for others can also help to build a good character
and set a moral foundation that teaches children to
have empathy and compassion during the Christmas
season and all throughout the year.