Mom Says Every Celebration is Just Another Excuse to Stuff Our Kids with Junk Food

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Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but the commercialization of holidays (and any other reason to celebrate, like birthdays), particularly for kids, has me ready to boycott them all. As a mom that values healthy habits over consumerism and junk food, I’m over all the sugar-filled holidays that have become the norm.

For example, last month, my 4-year-old daughter just returned from her morning preschool hours, excited to show me all of the Valentine’s Day cards she received.

All of February, she told us she learned about the importance of loving our neighbors, being respectful, and other nice sentiments related to the true meaning of Valentine’s Day (showing our appreciation for loved ones).

What’s with all the candy and plastic junk?

To continue the example…

Last month, my daughter was busy crafting beautiful homemade valentines for her classmates, family, and friends. Each one was unique and heartfelt with stickers, drawings, hearts, her name, and “Happy Valentine’s Day.” She was very proud of them (as she should be) and happily handed them out at school today.

When she got home with her bag of valentines, I was disappointed…

Not one homemade card.

Very few handwritten signatures (it looks like many parents signed them for their children).

A plethora of pink and red candies filled with Red 40 food dye and corn syrup.

Plastic toys from China are guaranteed to be in everyone’s trash and fill landfills by the end of the month.

It’s the same story on repeat all year long…

Easter is rapidly approaching, and I see every store stuffed to the brim with plastic eggs, stuffed bunnies, and candies filled with all kinds of food die, corn syrup, and other synthetic flavors that no kids (or adults) need in their system.

For me, it’s like deja vu when every new “holiday” rolls out in grocery stores and big box stores. It’s all the same:

Extra junky candy.

Plastic toys.

A feeling to keep up with celebrating with our kids with all the junk.

What happened to sincerity and personalization?

Maybe I’m just a grump (although, in general, I’m an optimist!), but I’m tired of a new holiday every month or two that encourages my children to eat junk and want wasteful toys.

I want them to focus on connecting with the people they love most during each holiday celebration.

I want them to be thoughtful and grateful for what they have.

I want them to love with all their hearts. Love like it matters (because it does).

After all, the history behind Valentine’s Day surrounds legends of spreading love, marrying couples secretly, and sending love notes. And Easter has nothing to do with consumerism and everything to do with rebirth.

Trading Consumerism for Authentic Celebration

Rather than let the food industry doop us with addictive junk, I hope more of us can see past the marketing BS and help our kids see there’s a better way.

Last month on Valentine’s Day, our family celebrated with connection. With extra big hugs, time spent making dinner together, and indulging in a fresh slice of homemade banana bread my daughter’s wanted to make.

This month, we had a lovely homemade dinner with family for St. Patty’s Day. Next month, we’ll celebrate Easter and spring with family as well.

What about you? I know many will find my opinion too harsh, and it’s just a little sugar. But I see our youth thinking eating junk every day is the norm. And I think we’ve lost the whole point of this and many other holidays.

I’d love to hear your opinion.