Change had an Insignificant Affect

Our first year without celebrating Christmas ended quite well.  The children didn't even notice.  We spent several days at a cabin cooking meals on a woodstove, playing games, sledding, and bonding.  What I have come to realize is being honest with the kids about why we are making these changes and then filling the void with family time is a step in the right direction.  I think our children really just want our time.  That one on one with them engaging with them and playing with them is what memories are made of.  When we told our kids what we were eliminating this year the first thing they asked is, "are we not getting presents"?  That response right there tells me that children really don't care about the "why" we are celebrating but the "me" aspect of the holiday and believe me we talk about Christ in our home and it still has this me, me me, effect.  I know that each year this season will look different as our family grows closer to Christ.  After all isn't that the goal?