If you’re like many Americans, you’ve probably had your fair share of challenges navigating this less-than-ideal economic time. Grocery prices continue to climb, gas prices are still high, and Black Friday “deals” on Amazon felt deceptively like retail prices. And if your kids are like mine, they’ve given you a Christmas wish list as long as a CVS receipt.

If the struggle has been real for you this year, I want to tell you a story of my last Christmas, and one of my best and warmest as a dad.

Last Christmas, my boys desperately wanted an Xbox One. The next Xbox One they were gifted from a family friend a couple of prior had broken and Microsoft’s quote to repair the console was two-thirds the price of a new one.

My wife and I knew that footing $499 for this as a gift wasn’t going to happen. We prefer to keep the budget to $100 per child. So even combining it for the boys would have left us $300 short. It wasn’t long after that when the grandmas texted asking what the kids wanted. The lightbulb went off and we asked if they wanted to collaborate to help provide the Xbox for the boys—and they did.

Fast forward to Christmas morning as we all stood around at my in-laws in eager anticipation of how excited the boys would be to unwrap the new Xbox. Seeing their faces, hearing their joy, and watching them talk about the ways they wanted to play together and create a gaming schedule for playing with their friends was a warm moment. They continue today to adhere to the schedule they set last Christmas.

I tell you this story to say that while this Christmas may stretch your finances a little as parents this year if you go it alone, collaborating with the grands is a fun way to get more people involved who are invested in the kids and who already intend to buy them gifts. You get to have fun planning with your parents and/or your spouse’s parents and what’s fun is, everyone gets to share in the joy of Christmas together knowing that you came together to put smiles on the faces of the kids.

What was cool about our Christmas last year was that not only did the boys get the console, they got additional gift cards and headsets from their grandparents and their aunt so they would have games to play and be able to interact with friends. That’s one more way collaborating on Christmas can be a source of joy and encouragement for everyone. And that’s the real spirit of Christmas.

I want close by wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for continuing to read and support Fredericksburg Parent. Cheers to a great 2023 ahead!