With The Holidays just around the corner, I've got gift-giving on my mind. I have no desire to fall into the trap that is a materialistic Christmas because, although we are not religious, I truly believe that The Holidays are more about spending time with the ones you love than gifts. When I was a kid, my parents were great about not buying us enough presents to stock a whole toy store, and as much as I groveled about it at the time, I cannot tell you how grateful I am now. It taught me to look forward to more than just what I would find under the tree.
This year, since she is so young, we are buying Cheech one present. We figure with the insane amount of gifts she'll most likely be getting from her grandparents, that's more than enough. But as she gets older, we're going to have to devise some sort of plan. I like the idea of gifting her a couple gifts that she needs, and about three gifts that she wants (some being from us, and some being from Santa). What are your thoughts on this? Do you find this plan Scrooge-y, or would this even be too many in your household? I'd love to know.
Photo, Peas in our Pod
I think this is a great idea! When parents go overboard, they start to feel like each year they need to top the last one. This just leads to stress, disappointment, and debt! I have always had the idea that when I have children we will start a tradition where they donate their unused toys each year before they can get any holiday presents. This way they will learn about being charitable and how to manage clutter!
ReplyDeleteMy dad's tradition was to give us several things we wanted and to always give us a hardcover book. As an adult the books are, hands down, the standout Christmas gift I remember. I can't wait to pass the tradition down when I have kids.
ReplyDeleteA friend who is a mum told me that she follows this rule for gifts for her kids: something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. I think it's a pretty perfect guide! :)
ReplyDeletefor finn's first christmas, we wrapped up stuff that she already owned. (is that bad?)
ReplyDeletewe trying to figure out how to work christmas out now that she's old enough to want ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING SHE SEES. i'm also starting the same tradition that my mom always did with me...every christmas eve, we open one present. and it's always pajamas. and we wear them that night so that we wake up with fresh pajamas for santa.
i'm thinking a handful of gifts. one from us, one from dash, the rest from santa. (and it's not a lot.) we also always give her something handmade. i'm working on this year's project right now, actually.
i like the tradition of a good hardbound book as well. we're such book nerds and we have about 300 in the house so she already feels the need to build her library.
I think I am in 100% agreement with you. Thank God here in Norway it is forbidden to advertise all these crazy toys on the TV, that way kids don't go bananas asking for this and that, but anyways, I think everyone else gives them so much. I think I will knit her a summer sweater and that will be our gift under the tree from us. But as she grows older, just as you said, she can wish for 3 or 4 things that Santa will bring her :)
ReplyDeleteLove Donna's friend gift guide!!!
ReplyDeleteI bought F (13 months) a pop-up book on old dollhouses and a little wooden puzzle. I'm sure she'll get plenty of presents that I don't really agree with from everyone else. I feel so ungrateful saying that, but it's true. At her brithday she got an awful pink and purple plastic little horse and carriage thing with a plastic dumb-looking little princess and prince. I didn't even know what to say. The giver said, somewhat reproachfully, well isn't time she has her own girl toys? She's 1. Our house is already full of toys (both boy ones for our son and lots of gender-neutral ones, and she clearly doesn't mind. But this apparently doesn't work anymore nowadays. Anyway.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to comment because this such pretty picture reminded me of receiving the little jumper I purchased from your etsy vintage shop earlier this year, and it made me smile. The package was so exquisite, it made it even more fun to receive. I order tons of things online, but this was by far the prettiest wrapping I had ever gotten. I forgot to tell you back then but I really appreciated the effort.
We actually decided that we aren't going to get Thomas any presents this year. We know that our family members will go overboard and he won't really know what is going on anyway - though we suspect he will love unwrapping them.
ReplyDeleteIn the future we will definitely limit the number of presents, maybe 3-5 from us (which we will be totally using Donna's gift guide for!), since he will get them from other family and friends.
Growing up my grandmother would always go overboard buying us things we didn't need and she couldn't afford until my mom finally told her that she could send one box of gifts and every box after that would immediately be donated. She was quite surprised the first year when she asked where all the other presents were to find out that it was not just a threat.
I'm hoping that my mom will learn from her own rules, but we shall see.
you guys, all these ideas are awesome. i'm really liking the thought if her donating her unused toys. :)
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