BY CINDY KRANZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer
![[rupp family]](/editions/1998/11/04/rupp_160x138.jpg)
Paul and Laura Rupp with their children: Jacob, 17 months; Nina, 6, and Sophie, 4.
(Craig Ruttle photo)
| ZOOM |
|
Third of a five-part series
Last year, Nina and Sophie Rupp of White Oak each got an Ariel doll and a few crafts in their Christmas stockings. The limited number of gifts was no reflection on whether they'd been bad or good -- or their economic situation.
"There was no pressing financial concern, merely the knowledge that our kids have very "rich' lives and are well cared for, regardless of what presents we give them," their mother, Laura Rupp, says.
She and her husband, Dr. Paul Rupp, have limited family Christmas gifts for the last three years. The rule of thumb is each child gets one inexpensive item, no more than $25, and a few smaller items. That means Nina, 6; Sophie, 4; and Jacob, 17 months, have learned to be more creative, often inventing their own toys.
"Years ago, we talked about Christmas and keeping the focus on what Christmas is all about," Mrs. Rupp says. "At Christmas-time, we felt there wasn't a need to pile on more things."
"Of course," Dr. Rupp adds, "grandmas, aunts and uncles are out of our control. (The children) are not hurting by any means."
The Rupps' philosophy is partially derived from their childhoods. Dr. Rupp, a family medicine physician, grew up in a family of 10 children. "We got one or two things for Christmas," he says. "We certainly didn't get showered with a lot of gifts. I grew up on a farm. We played with what we had. We played outside mostly."
Their philosophy was further influenced by their stay in Germany, where Dr. Rupp was stationed in the Army from 1993 to 1997.
"Being overseas, the Germans live much more simply," says Mrs. Rupp, a former hospital chaplain who is a stay-at-home mom. "Their society isn't as materialistic."
The Rupps, both 34, saw German families give each other gifts of fruit, candy and nuts and vowed to embrace that simplicity.
What's more, the Rupps didn't have a television in Germany, so the children weren't exposed to commercials for toys. Today, the family watches little television.
"So far, our kids seem to be happy, confident, respectful and creative," Mrs. Rupps says. "I attribute this to many things, not the least of which is lack of TV and computer play."
The girls engage in imaginative play, draw, paint, make crafts and read. They make up things for Ariel to do, because their mother tells them she won't buy all the little plastic gadgets made for dolls.
Once, they wanted a Barbie house, but their mother encouraged them to make their own. They built a doll house using two large pieces of Styrofoam, punching it with golf tees for hanging doll clothes. "Nina says, "We can always make what Barbie needs. That's better than what's in the stores.' I don't know if she really believes that or not," her mother said with a smile, but she hopes the message is getting through.
Some friends and family express surprise at their sparse gift-giving, but Mrs. Rupp thinks it's due more to disbelief that parents could restrain themselves at Christmas.
Showering children with gifts, Mrs. Rupp says, could cause them to want more and not appreciate what they have, or to think things always come easily.
"After living overseas, I see how luxurious Americans' lives are, and we try not to take our comfort here for granted," she says. "I hope to pass this on to my children."
![[rupp family]](/editions/1998/11/04/rupp_500x431.jpg)