Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis aren’t giving their kids gifts for Christmas
The That 70s Show alumni are banning gifts for their kiddos this festive season, and you’ve got to admit their reasoning makes a lot of sense.
“We’re not gonna raise a**holes”
Ahead of the release of A Bad Moms Christmas, Mila chatted to Entertainment Tonight about her role in the film, but also about mum life and how she and husband Ashton Kutcher approach the whole parenting thing.
The couple are parents to almost 1-year-old son Dimitri and 3-year-old daughter Wyatt, and are keen to ensure that their privileged life does not translate into entitled or ungrateful kids.
“Yeah, we’re not gonna raise a**holes,” Mila told ET frankly. “There’s enough a**holes in this world! We don’t need to contribute.”
Fresh traditions
Because her new film is festive-focused, conversations are naturally straying to how she and Ashton celebrate Christmas. Mila says they’re crafting their own rules and rituals around the holidays with firm eye on gratitude and bonding.
“It’s all family time, but having kids, we’re building up our own little versions of tradition,” Mila explained. “So far, our tradition is no presents for the kids.”
Yup. She said NO presents! While some might balk at the idea of a gift ban at a notoriously present-laden time, Mila says she’s already noticed that expectations are outweighing appreciation in her still tiny children.
“We’re instituting it this year because when the kids are [younger than] one, it doesn’t really matter. Last year when we celebrated Christmas, Wyatt was two and it was too much. We didn’t give her anything — it was the grandparents. The kid no longer appreciates the one gift. They don’t even know what they’re expecting; they’re just expecting stuff.”
This “just expecting stuff” observation will probably be strikingly familiar to anyone with kids – or anyone who has experienced the frenzied unwrapping of gifts on Christmas morning.
It truly can become more about the “present count” than “the thought that counts”.
“We’re begging you”
After last year’s grandparent gift bonanza, Mila is hoping this is the year to get her and Ashton’s parents on board, and to divert their generosity toward those who might be more in need.
“We’ve told our parents, ‘We’re begging you — if you have to give her something, pick one gift. Otherwise, we’d like to take a charitable donation, to the Children’s Hospital or a pet [or] whatever you want.’ That’s our new tradition.”
How do you feel about Mila and Ashton’s “new tradition”? Would this work for your family, and take the financial pressure off you at Christmas in the process?
