Gift-giving a central part of our Christmas tradition in the UK, and it can be lovely to share a meaningful present with a loved one.
However, author, broadcaster and mum-of-two Katie Piper wants to spread a different message this festive season. That sometimes our love and time is all we need to give.
We spoke to Katie about gifts at Christmas, raising young kids and how story time can be the key to bonding with your little one…
Image source, KATIE PIPER INSTAGRAMWhat's Christmas all about?
Katie’s message for families like her own is simple – you don’t need a social media-perfect Christmas with loads of expensive presents.
She tells this through her character Teeny Mouse, in her latest children's book Your Greatest Gift, who decides to take presents to her ‘Grandmouse’s’ house.
“At every point in the journey, she meets different woodland friends,” Katie says.
“One friend's cold and she gives a scarf and then when she finally gets to her grandma's house, she has nothing material left to give.
“She realises the greatest gift she could give her grandma is a hug and love. And that's all her grandma wants from her.”
And this message that what she had to offer her grandmother was “always deep within her” is something that resonates with Katie especially.
“All those years ago, I experienced a life-changing incident that changed how I physically presented to the world. But what was deep within me was always left untouched, you know, and that was part of my own recovery.”
The pitfalls of social media comparison
It can be difficult to navigate toy trends and gift comparison, especially when your child starts nursery or school.
However, it’s also important for parent wellbeing to take what we see on social media with a pinch of salt.
“When I grew up, I didn't see into other people's Christmases and homes and lives unless I went back to school and they told me what they got for Christmas,” Katie says.
“But now you can literally see into people's lounge on Christmas Day on Instagram and TikTok."
“There's so many comparisons and Christmas can be heavily commercialised in those areas where you feel you don't have that life, or you might feel less than others.
“[Ultimately], what is the greatest gift? What is Christmas all about?”
The benefits of Christmas storytime
One of the true joys of Christmas can be quality time spent with family. One way to make the most of that time with toddlers and younger children is through story time.
As a children’s author, Katie is a big advocate for getting kids to open up with a book…
“You never really get that depth of conversation with children without a tool like a book.
“I've been in the thick of it with the under-fives. I think they're some of the hardest years.
“They won’t talk to you about anxieties, worries, or their day, but they will if it means delaying bedtime. Every child wants to delay bedtime.
“You go upstairs with a book and your child savours that ten or 15 minutes with you and they will chit chat so they can delay turning the lights off.
“And I think sometimes we put too much pressure on parents and 10 minutes is huge.
“If you can get 10 minutes tonight with you and them, that's massive and that's achievable rather than making you feel like a failure because you're not having this big sit-down meal talking about mental health because that ain't going to happen for anybody.”
