OK, this will tell you what a mean mom I am. When it comes to Christmas and birthdays, I choose presents based upon what I want my kids to have and what I want in my home. Granted, it's easier when they're young. But for example-- I know Polly Pockets are popular with the girls but have I ever bought one for my daughter? NO. Why's that you ask-- because I don't want the little pieces everywhere. Same with Magnetix, regular legos (we do have duplos) and other toys like that. I really hate most popular girls toys-- Barbies, Bratz, most "character" stuff (Tinkerbell, Disney Characters, etc.) So I don't buy those for Mara. Sometimes if something is branded with a character but I like the product I'll buy it-- like a scooter, water bottle. But in general, I will not buy it.
I have it REALLY good. My in-laws, I love them, but they have terrible taste in gifts. *Imagine a turquoise vinyl stuffed pig.* Where do you even pick something like that up? Luckily, they give money so I don't have to worry about birthday and Christmas presents. My mom is pretty good and is awesome about letting me give ideas.
Lastly, I don't feel like they need a lot. So they get one big gift from us (big=20/30 bucks) and one from Santa. Then they each choose a book for eachother and there's the stocking and that's it. I love it! Yay to cheap, easy Christmases with kids who are happy no matter what and here's to dreading teenagers, expensive gifts, and whining about not getting what they want!
4 comments:
Last year I heard a saying I liked:
"Something they want
Something to need
Something to wear
And something to read."
I've adopted that as my Christmas gift policy.
*something they need
Your policy is just like mine. They get a Santa fun thing, a mom & dad fun thing, a book, clothes, and The Elf (a Melin tradition) who comes to tell them to go to bed on Christmas Eve leaves new pajamas. Usually the grandparents and the cousins' gifts are fun, too (and often homemade--love that!) Rock on...
I guess I'm the odd one out here. I kind of like the whole present buying, present giving extravaganza. I don't go crazy but I know I could scale back. I blame the way I was raised. I broke down and bought the polly pockets. They've been pretty good about keeping them together. I put them in a plastic baggy the minute we get one. Mainly the girls seem to get them as birthday gifts from other kids. Those Bratz dolls are just pure evil. My kids tell everyone "my mom doesn't like Bratz."
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