At this time of year when we are all frantically running around buying things for people who already have too much, it might be worth reflecting on the question: does life consist of the things that we possess?

It would seem for many and particularly for children having the lastest gimmick, toy, mobile phone or whatever is what is important and gives them significance and status, at least to their friends. Sadly, often we as parents give credence to the materialist lie and overload our children with things. But why?

The answer is, of course, that we get great pleasure from giving to our children and those we love. To buy something for our children is often more fun than buying something for ourselves. But we need to exercise caution. If we overload our child with things we will inevitably diminish for them the thrill of receiving and we will raise in them expectations about what they deserve and can expect.

I read a salutory story the other day about a family who had always expressed their love for their children by buying lavish gifts for them. Imagine their horror when one Christmas Day, their 11-year-old son opened his amazing gift and looking up said with a frown, “Is this it?”

So, with this in mind, I thought I would share with you some of the favourite ‘games’ that my young children have enjoyed during the years— they cost pennies if anything, and are always favoured over anything colourful and plastic sitting on the toy shelves!

[bul] Playing with macaroni/rice or other small pasta shapes with muffin tins, plastic cups and wooden spoons.

[bul] Saucepans and plastic wooden spoons for banging.

[bul] Washing up bowl with water and maybe a squirt of soap — with plastic cups, plates and jugs.

l Homemade playdough: 2 cups of water, 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt, 2 tablespoons cooking oil, 4 heaped teaspoons cream of tartar and food colouring of choice.

Put all ingredients in a large saucepan and warm over a medium heat until the playdough becomes hardened and comes off the sides of the pan.

Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for a few minutes— it will be hot. Ready to use immediately. Keep in an airtight container and it will be fine for months. You can use your own cookies cutters and safe kitchen tools to play with it — for hours of fun. It is much softer and easier to mold than bought playdough.

[bul] Keep cards from birthdays, Christmas and so on for cutting and sticking. Children love looking at all the bright colours, shapes and patterns and often remember when they were given to them. They can construct cards for friends or just makes posters to display on their walls or give to grateful grandparents. You can even cut them up into simple puzzles and encourage your little ones to put them back together again.

[bul] Picnics: Doesn’t matter where— could be on a towel on the living room floor or their bedroom but children love preparing a simple picnic and eating it somewhere different.

[bul] Telling stories: You don’t always need books to tell children stories. Children love hearing stories about themselves when they were little or about you when you were younger. They will remember them forever, particularly the ones about you being naughty.

[bul] Handbag: My mother-in-law gave my 2-year-old one of her old handbags for her birthday, filled with all the things that Miriam loves of mine but can’t have— an old set of keys on a key ring, a lip salve as a lipstick, a purse with old coins, a hairbrush and comb, a handkerchief etc.

[bul] Camps: My younger children love making camps out of old sheets and comforters. Adult help is usually needed to construct the camp over sofas and chairs (clothes pegs are useful). But as long as there is a ‘door’ and places to sit or lie down it really doesn’t have to be very sophisticated.

Some of these ‘games’ will involve making a mess and time but they are really worth it and with a bit of careful planning, a tray or a few towels and some patience you will enjoy yourself as much as they do.

>It is worth remembering, that presents do not enhance relationships in the long term. More than any other material gift, what your children will remember and treasure all their lives are the times you had together, your adventures, the funny things that happened. So put your purses and credit cards away and build some happy memories.Fiona Dill is the mother of five children, a nurse (BSc (Hons) in Nursing Studies), a childbirth educator (Diploma in Antenatal Education), a doula and a parenting course facilitator. Her column will appear every other week in the Weekender section. Contact: fionadill[AT]logic.bm