Bundoo’s Twelve Days of Christmas: What we can learn from our kids’ lists

The spirit of Christmas is alive and well. If you don’t believe me, take a look at the Christmas lists of very young children.

Here at Bundoo, we spend a lot of time talking to parents, and many of us are parents ourselves. Perhaps it comes with the territory, but we spend a lot of time focusing on things that can go wrong with kids and what to do about it—from a serious case of the sniffles to behavioral issues to developmental challenges.

So it can be easy sometimes to lose sight of the magic that is childhood and focus on the hard parts and the tough parts of parenting. But then something like this happens: we asked our readers to answer this question: “The strangest thing my kid asked for at Christmas was ________” and the spirit of the season comes roaring back.

Before they learn to crave the latest electronic thing or simply ask for cash, kids’ Christmas lists seem to represent the best of us. My own youngest son made his Christmas list this year and gave it to me solemnly. It included ten items; there are the usual toys of course and a few books, but then the bottom three requests weren’t for him at all. He asked for dog treats for our puppy, something for me that he knows I really want, and another item for a family member who needs it.

A Bundoo reader reported that her son asked for a puppy … for her, because he knew his mom really wanted a puppy.

Looking at these lists, I had to ask myself—when was the last time I had the chance to ask for something, anything I wanted for myself, and gave so much of my personal list to other people? Even as we’re consumed with running around and buying things and frantic with cards and cookies and calling relatives, I hope I can keep that childish streak of spiritual generosity alive in myself.

Merry Christmas, kids, and thanks. May all the kids (and pets) and your lists get everything your hearts desire for them.