Happy Halloween --
This year Christmas is the 'scary' holiday...
10-27-08

Friday all things trick or treat arrive. To those goblins and ghouls celebrating be safe and enjoy your candy. I told my kids this year with the less than good economy I'm opting for giving the kids knocking at our door a magic 'trick' instead of the candy 'treat'. It's cheaper and it keeps with the holiday spirit. The boys, not to keen on my idea, threaten to stay away from me Friday if I go through with it. Halloween is harmless and fun enough; the real scary holiday is around the corner.

Christmas. Each year more and more I'm beginning to dread the holidays. I love the religious significance, the spirit of man reborn in the newness of one year beginning and another ending. I love the fellowship, the parties, get togethers and time off between the 25th and New Year's Day. But Christmas can break a home if you're not careful. This year, maybe more than ever before, being extremely careful about holiday spending has to be the order of the season.

Fret not because I've always said the holidays aren't about the presents, gifts or things we get. More important than what's under the tree is who we're with around it. Furthermore this year I've made a pact that all the newest games and gadgets aren't making the grade for those on my Christmas list. When I was a kid the only toys needing assembly were race car sets (remember the loop to loop tracks) and the electric trains. My family had two sets for three of us. Lionel and my favorite American Flyers. Dad and my uncles would be up half the night on Christmas setting up these interactive games that required a child's imagination and hands on play. Other typical gifts were hockey sticks, baseballs, basketballs, footballs. Matchbox cars, GI Joe figures and board games. All of the gifts I received required my participation, many required my getting outside and many required my imagination.

The trouble with these kids today. You know you're getting old when that's crossing your mind and lips. In all seriousness, the trouble with our generation is that our toys today require an adeptness at computer skills and using electronics. What happened to the good old fashioned toys we over 40 enjoyed? What's wrong with getting the kids a bicycle or wagon instead of the latest video game, i-pod or electronic game? How about a fishing pole instead of a cell phone? A baseball bat instead of some other video game or gadget? Many have proclaimed that parents like this electronic craze because it replaces the parenting. When kids are pre occupied on the 'screen games' we parents don't have to toss a ball, play a board game or hang out running the train sets or setting up doll houses for those of you with daughters. Maybe true, maybe not, but I think this Christmas season would be better served both financially and educationally to give our kids gifts this holiday season that require their participation and imagination. Better still, games that require they get outside and get active. All good things come from kids who have a healthy outlet for playing and recreation where they develop social skills playing with others and exercise which is great for the body. Make a deal with your kids when you give the old school toys, the 'never fails' as I call them. When you give the ball, bat, glove or board game make an arrangement with the kids that you'll play with them at least a dozen times in the new year. This way you'll get to bond and have some good old fashioned family fun. There's lots of great, REAL toys out there. This year save money and give freely of your time and your encouragement to get the kids something that's lacking in our country. Games and toys that require old fashioned ingenuity.

Whatever you choose. Enjoy the upcoming holidays and Happy Halloween!