Anyone feel guilty about....

[IluvDonald!]

Well, I pretty much buy until I am out of money, and this includes the children I take off the Salvation Army's Angel Tree. DH and I joke on Christmas morning because between the 2 of us, we're lucky if we have $3-4 cash between us.

I have no problem being generous and definitely go overboard at Christmas. Children are only young once.

However, I will only pay cash - I do not want to pay off credit card debt for presents. (I guess this is one of the reasons I shop all year!)

 

[roscoepc1]

For us, Santa brings one DVD and the stocking contents for each child. In our family, with our beliefs, Christmas is about the birth of our Savious, and Santa is just a fun "add on"...

The rest of their gifts are from dh and I, or other relatives and friends....

 

[roscoepc1]

Nope not feeling guilty at all.

DD16 has been here in Children's hospital for 6 weeks, and we don't see a release date in our future yet. Our lives have been turned upside-down. Both she & DS12 are getting whatever their hearts desire.

God bless you all...btdt, and I know how it feels. Live with no regrets, and cherish every second!

 

[drcmk]

We get our children three gifts to represent the gifts of the Magi--plus stocking stuffers (mostly candy, card games, lip gloss). I used to get them a pile of books each, too, but they like to pick their own books now.

I remember how Christmas became when my siblings and I were teens or very young adults and there were no children in the family. Christmas started to feel like a boring obligation because it had always been about Santa and toys and no one wanted that any more.

I didn't want that to happen with my children, so from the beginning I tried to make Christmas about something other than gifts. Yes, we do a few, but I try to make the holiday more about decorating, entertaining, visiting friends and family and doing things together as a family. I tried to emphasize Christmas crafts for a while, but now everyone has too much homework for that. But Christmas baking while watching Christmas movies is a highlight.

If I feel guilty, it is about the amount of money I give away at Christmastime. There are so many appeals to buy things for needy families or children this time of year and I probably go overboard with that. I also find myself spending MUCH more money than I want to entertaining at Christmastime, whether we have people over or I take treats to places we go.

 

[rluey29]

No guilt here!! I absolutely love Christmas and the kids get spoiled rotten. Matter of fact Santa came to our house last night because DS10 will be in another state for Xmas.

He got a new Dell laptop, motobike, gift cards for internet games, and about 20 other gifts as well as a stocking full of cool stuff. DS3 got every imaginext set on the market as well as 20 other gifts and stocking full. I added it up one day and had spent over $1500. My heart skipped a little beat because it's the most expensive Xmas yet but it's ok. They are appreciative of everything and they have played with every single item they've received. I love it, they love it, and I'll do it until their grown (and probably even after that).

I always adopt kids from the Angel trees but this year it was a needy boy and girl from our school.

 

[jacksmom]

I have bought a lot for the kiddos, but have worked a lot of extra hours to do so! Me and DH love to be able to spoil kids for Christmas and Birthdays! But, don't buy a lot the rest of the year!

 

[walkdmc]

I feel a little guilty but also good that they're getting what they want. But I usually don't even know how much I've bought them until I start wrapping the week before. Then, it hits hard and I worry that I've gone overboard, yet again.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Wow....to the parents that buy their kids stuff they write on a list: I WANT TO BE IN YOUR FAMILY!!

My family NEVER did lists. We would never dare do that to our parents. Of course, it was because we didn't have a lot of money, but we were always happy with what we got.

I know for sure my parents never had the problem of "feeling guilty for buying too much". We would often get one gift each. Oh ya, we didn't believe in Santa, so there were no extra gifts.

I just gotta say, your kids are really lucky to have y'all as parents. I hope I can give my kids what they want when I have them!

When we kids were small, my mom would ask us to write a letter to Santa(with her help). This served as a list and then when we got older she asked us to give her a list. I actually think it makes things easier.

I know my mom grew up poor- each child only got one toy and then practical things. So when we were small, she went all out. We weren't rich by any stretch, middle class was what we were. But, she is a talented bargain hound. I know all 3 of us kids appreciated it.

 

[DawnM]

Why would you go years without something like this as an adult? Just go get one!

I found a Black and Decker, never used, hand mixer, at a yard sale for $2. I use it all the time.

This is why I think Christmas is for kids. If DH or I want/need something, we just go buy it when we need it.

Dawn

I've been asking my parents for an electric hand mixer for years. They still think I'm joking, so I am still without one.....A whole electric mixing bowl would be even better!

 

[bethy]

We get our children three gifts to represent the gifts of the Magi--plus stocking stuffers (mostly candy, card games, lip gloss). I used to get them a pile of books each, too, but they like to pick their own books now.

I remember how Christmas became when my siblings and I were teens or very young adults and there were no children in the family. Christmas started to feel like a boring obligation because it had always been about Santa and toys and no one wanted that any more.

I didn't want that to happen with my children, so from the beginning I tried to make Christmas about something other than gifts. Yes, we do a few, but I try to make the holiday more about decorating, entertaining, visiting friends and family and doing things together as a family. I tried to emphasize Christmas crafts for a while, but now everyone has too much homework for that. But Christmas baking while watching Christmas movies is a highlight.

If I feel guilty, it is about the amount of money I give away at Christmastime. There are so many appeals to buy things for needy families or children this time of year and I probably go overboard with that. I also find myself spending MUCH more money than I want to entertaining at Christmastime, whether we have people over or I take treats to places we go.

I love this insight! This what we do, too except that our children are still young. And one of their 3 gifts is from Santa (plus he fills the stockings.) Another thing I try not to do is make christmas this absolutely perfect magical fantasy experience. It's REALLY special at our house but I never want anyone's expectations for it to be perfect and overinflated. I want them to learn that it is a special, magical spiritual time and remains so no matter what difficulties they are experiencing in their lives at that given time.

 

[BoogasMom]

oops

 

[BoogasMom]

I know exactly how the OP feels....that feeling that sometimes some of us get "too much"....and there's no better way to treat that "ailment"...then by giving to others.

OP here....first let me set the record straight...I am not saying that I feel guilty at all.

Second, we also do things throughout the Christmas season to show our boys that it is very important to give to others who are less fortunate than us. We recently volunteered in our Christmas Angel warehouse and adopted a boy off of my DH's angel tree at work. We took our boys shopping for the little "angel" and let them help pick out his bike and some clothing for him. They asked a lot of questions and I LOVED answering them and explaining to them why we do this type of thing for others.

For my family, we are church-going and the holiday is definitely centered on the celebration of the birth of Jesus. We have a "happy birthday Jesus" cake on Christmas Eve and sing happy birthday to Him (complete with lit candles and all) so I am positive that the real meaning is being conveyed to our boys.

However, being a child who was also taught about Santa, I know the feeling of the "magic" of this season and I want my boys to feel that feeling too. In no way do I feel guilty about the amount of gifts my boys get from Santa. As I said previously, they are great kids and they don't expect a room full of presents in the least (which makes it even more fun to do it for them!).

My kids do not get random things throughout the year. Someone stated earlier in the thread how they don't understand how we do that. We just tell them no. When we go out shopping, they know ahead of time what we are going to buy and that this is not a "toy" shopping trip. They may ask for something but if it is not a NEEDED item, it goes back on the shelf...it's just that easy. They know that video games, Legos, and other things that are not necessary are gifts to ask for when it's their birthday or Christmas.

 

[Rob R]

Nope not feeling guilty at all.

DD16 has been here in Children's hospital for 6 weeks, and we don't see a release date in our future yet. Our lives have been turned upside-down. Both she & DS12 are getting whatever their hearts desire.

Wow. Nothing like giving a dose of perspective today!!

I wish you a Merry Christmas and extra blessings of peace this week.

 

[mom2t]

I don't feel guilty, but I admit I went WAY overboard this year. I started shopping WAY too early and when I went through my Cmas closet yesterday....sheesh! So, I pulled a few things and dropped them in the Toys for Tots box at DD's dance school last night, and put another stack to the side which I'll either save for birthday gifts when she's invited to parties or use them to fill her Easter basket

I culled some of my sons presents also - for Easter, birthday and a small Val. gift. The other extras are going for Toys for Tots and angel tree child we pulled a couple of weeks ago.