The last few of Christmases have been lean for us. I looked in envy at parents who could "do it up big" for Christmas and watched the Meijer commercials about "giving more" with a little sadness. This year we are able to give a little better to our kids and each other for Christmas but we know that the gifts are not the important part. I realize as I look around the house at neglected toys of Christmases past that my kids don't really need me to "do it up big" and that the excitement of that is not only expensive but momentary. By the time my kids receive gifts from family and friends they really have had it pretty good.
This year we are doing Christmas gift buying for our children by theme. They will each get four gifts and a stocking. There will also be one bonus gift for the three of them to share because it's something they all want and I got a good deal on it. We are debating a family gift also because The Lion King will be in town in January and it would be a wonderful experience to have together. When you add all that up our Christmas will be more than plenty big enough.
Here are the categories for the four gifts:
Something you want:
I think that's pretty self explanatory. I heard a friend at MOPS one year make the argument that we buy for our kids what we think is cool and don't always listen to what they really want. Gift giving would be cheaper if we gave them only what they ask for. I am trying hard to listen to my kids desires. JR and JJ both have birthdays close to Christmas also so this is helping me be in tune for those events as well.
JD - I'm not sure yet but I'm leaning toward a wii game he enjoyed playing with some buddies this summer. He is also really excited to get his savings account up to a certain amount so cash might be exciting to him. If I ask he tells me he's still thinking about it.
JR - Wipe Out for the wii or Hot Wheels track (the kind that go on the wall).
JJ - A pillow pet. Every time she sees one in the store she wants me to get it for her.
Something you need:
They need things anyway so why not.
JD - Extra winter gloves, probably a couple of pair since he always looses them.
JR - A heavy winter coat. The one JD had is too thin for the colder temps here and does not have a hood.
JJ - I'm still keeping my eyes and ears open for what she might need.
Something to wear:
This sounds limited but it's really not. It could be clothes of course but also jewelry, nail polish (when JJ is older) a purse or backpack, sunglasses, shoes, hair pretties, socks, outerwear, etc...
JD - Ear buds for his MP3 player.
JR - Ear buds for his MP3 player.
JJ - A new hat, made by my sister's friend. It will have a flower on it. If you have Facebook check out Blessed with Bows. I believe she also has an Etsy sight.
Something to read:
Again, not as limiting as you might think. A magazine subscription would be great as well as books or cookbooks.
JD - Diary of a Wimpy Kid He has been reading and collecting these books all summer and is ready to read the newest one.
JR - Skippyjon Jones My kids love this little guy and the newest book came out in September.
JJ - Silverlicious Last year she got the first three books of the series so I'm excited to get her number 4.
Please feel free to add ideas for the categories. Let me know if you have a special way you buy gifts. I'm excited to find items that fit each kid. I think we will have them open them a category at a time and I may even get crazy and have each category be in it's own kind of wrapping.
