Article for The Divorce magazine
In this article, I explore how you can keep Christmas special for your children — even when your ex has a much larger holiday budget.
I begin by acknowledging the very real frustration and comparison you may feel when gift-giving becomes a subtle competition. Then I invite you to shift the focus away from how much you spend and towards what really matters: the memories, the connection and the sense of stability you create.
You’ll read about meaningful alternatives to big-ticket presents: creating new holiday rituals, sharing special experiences or crafting thoughtful gifts that reflect your family’s story. I also offer practical guidance on how to bring your ex into the conversation (if that’s possible), so both parents can collaborate on holiday expectations, rather than feel adversarial.
Finally, I remind you that what children remember is rarely the price tag – it’s the feeling of being loved and secure. This holiday doesn’t have to be defined by what you can’t afford, but by what you choose to give them in presence, imagination and warmth.
If you’re worrying about keeping pace, this article offers a compassionate and strategic roadmap to celebrate with authenticity and intention, rather than comparison.