Here’s TMAP’s honest (if not slightly controversial) opinion on Christmas: your kids should only get one or two presents from you. Max. Not a mountain of toys. Not a floor covered in wrapping paper. One or two gifts — that’s it. They can still receive presents from relatives, but the standard you set matters most.

Why Overindulgence Backfires

When families start playing the wealth game, the biggest challenge isn’t building wealth — it’s raising grounded kids while becoming wealthy. When money is tight, kids naturally understand boundaries.

When money becomes abundant, the risk flips fast: entitlement creeps in. Kids begin to expect everything, appreciate nothing and learn that “getting” matters more than gratitude. Spoiling them doesn’t create happiness — it creates entitlement, laziness and unrealistic expectations about how life works.

The Hidden Danger for Wealth-Building Parents

Many parents with increasing wealth fall into the trap of giving too much because they can. But giving kids everything they want teaches the wrong lessons: that effort isn’t required, that success should come easily and that they are owed things simply because Mum and Dad have resources.

This mindset becomes extremely hard to unwind later. Wealthy parents often mean well… but accidentally raise kids who won’t grind, won’t sacrifice and won’t appreciate what they have.

What To Do In The Home

That’s why in a wealthy home, Christmas is intentionally simple: one or two gifts each. Nothing excessive. Instead, the focus should be on connection and consistency. Every morning, have breakfast with your children — a cooked breakfast, a quiet moment, gratitude for the day. It’s not flashy, but those small, consistent moments mean more than any expensive toy. Those are the memories they’ll look back on. Those are the habits they’ll pass on to their own children.

Give Memories, Not Mountains of Stuff

Your kids don’t need more toys. They need more time, more presence, and more grounded leadership at home. If you’re playing the wealth game, your responsibility is to raise humble, respectful, disciplined young people — not entitled ones.

The TMAP Way

So this Christmas, keep it tight: One or two presents. No overindulging. No chaos. No credit-funded Christmas.

Give them memories, not clutter. Teach gratitude, not greed. That’s how you protect the next generation — and that’s how your family wins the wealth game.