Balancing Presents with Presence Over the Holidays

The holidays can create stress in families, particularly around gift-giving. How can parents balance presents with presence? How do we help our kids navigate the mixed messages of the holidays?
If you are a parent who struggles with the materialism of the holidays, check out these great suggestions from AhaParenting.com!
One example from the article:
Manage Expectations. Ask your child to carefully consider his desires and tell you four gift ideas:

- A store-bought gift that is within your means (this may take some back and forth discussion).
- A book he wants to read.
- A "together" present that you will do with him, like going to the zoo.
- A "giving" present that he can gift to someone else, like making cookies for the senior citizen home or stuffing stockings for kids in a shelter.

http://www.ahaparenting.com/blog/What_Every_Child_Wants_for_the_Holidays