They’re certainly in a position where they could buy every item on their kids’ Christmas lists, but Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher aren’t planning on piling up the presents under the Christmas tree this year. “So far, our tradition is no presents for the kids,” Kunis said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight . Mom to 4-year-old daughter, Wyatt, and 2-year-old son Dmitri, Kunis says she and Kutcher are determined to not raise entitled kids—and are learning from the mistakes of Christmases past. “We’ve told our parents, ‘We’re begging you: If you have to give her something, pick one gift,'” Kunis said. “’Otherwise, we’d like to take a charitable donation, to the Children’s Hospital or a pet… Whatever you want.’ That’s our new tradition.” The minimalist Christmas that Kunis and Kutcher embrace makes sense on a lot of levels: It teaches kids how to be more mindful consumers, removes the emphasis on material goods… And saves you from those chaotic trips to the mall.

Going without presents doesn’t mean going without

Putting a halt on presents these upcoming holidays is one way to reinforce what the season is really about: Spending quality time together as families and cherishing what we already have . But “no presents” doesn’t mean “no fun,” either.

Some of our favorite non-material gift suggestions include :

  • Experiences
  • Lessons
  • College contributions
  • Coupon booklets
  • Piggy bank donations
  • Gifts for others
Or you could take a cue from Kunis and Kutcher without going all the way: Maybe you only focus on one or two quality gifts. Or pass on anything that will likely get discarded to the bottom of the toy box before next year’s holidays. Think of Christmas gifts for kids kind of like eggnog: A little goes a long way.
[Originally published October 11, 2017]