Sydney mum Cheryln says her two children won't be getting presents from her or Santa, and it's the same every year. Here, she explains her decision.
Cheryln Sue's Christmas tree is already up and her children will get a photo with Santa, but unlike many Australians, the children won't be receiving any presents from her or Santa.
"They understand that they don't need things, they want to get out of the house, they want to see people, they want to play with people, they want to make new friends, that's what drives them right now, so how is that a bad thing?"Cheryln lives on Sydney's north shore and says she is acutely aware that she is in a fortunate position that allows her the privilege of deciding what she spends her money on.
"I just think it's so important that in a society that is increasingly materialistic that we hold on to the little things ... and just that gratefulness that we get to experience life - there's so much to experience and you don't need toys for it."Instead of presents at Christmas and birthdays, Cheryln says she treats her children to their favourite food as well as adventures. Her family is scattered around Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
"I suppose we reinforce that giving spirit, which is what I believe Christmas needs to be about, and not just giving materialistically - giving our time, giving our effort," she says.Last year her son also chose to give a Christmas stocking he received full of chocolate to a homeless man, who he had questioned his mother about months earlier.
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