Comments on: Can Santa Give Too Much?

By: Shan @ the fairy blogmother

Shan @ the fairy blogmother — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:15:55 +0000

My 7 year old had a long list for santa and on it were things like an iPod touch and a trampoline. After she wrote it I sat down with her and explained that while it was fun to wish for lots of things that she had to understand that Santa would look at her list and decide what… if anything she would get off of it. I told her she had to trust that Santa would pick something that even though it might not be on her list, it would still be something she would enjoy. So she did get a new Wii game from Santa, but not the one she had asked for. One I felt was better suited to her and also meant the constraints of our budget.

I explained to her that everyone would be cutting back and she shouldn’t expect a boatload of presents as she’s had in previous years. And she was fine with the explanation and was fine as we were receiving our gifts. Our 3 year old just kinda went with the flow, she doesn’t really have a frame of reference at this point, so she was happy too.

I directed the grandparents to categories of toys we wouldn’t mind receiving like Little People (which are a huge hit here with both my girls), board games, art supplies and books. My husband and I agree it was an improvement all around from previous years, but we could still do better.

By: Rookiemommy

Rookiemommy — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:07:20 +0000

So funny, we were just discussing this at dinner tonight. But not so much how we would dial it back next year, but how we would tackle getting the grandparents to cut back. I had to have a word with my 5yo about making sure she was grateful for her presents and remembering to say thankyou to the giver. But I think her lack of enthusiasm for the later presents was due to overkill. She was actually bored of opening presents. My 2yo still had 5 to open on Sunday as his absence during nap time had put him behind on the present opening schedule. So next year we will ask for less and hopefully appreciate more what we do have.
And there will be no crackers. Another story, but I hereby declare them a waste of time, money and an unnecessary generator of waste. Bah Humbug!

By: Zoey @ Good Goog

Zoey @ Good Goog — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:32:01 +0000

We went completely over the top this year at Christmas. In part, because it was the first Christmas that our nearly two year old could appreciate – she didn’t really get it last year. The other, bigger part, is because we just can’t help ourselves. And I convinced myself that she would be too young to remember anyway and hence not develop expectations next year.

But next year, I would definitely like to dial it back. Especially given how many presents she gets from relatives. I’m thinking one main present, a couple of little ones and the stocking. Something that’s going to be sustainable when we have more than one to buy for.