CharmedLife
Wisconsin Badger Fan
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2005
- Messages
- 587
A few ideas...
This past year, Santa only brought one gift to each child. DH and I were sparing on what we gave kids. That meant that even though my parents went over the top (as usual), we weren't compounding the issue. This year, since we have a Disney trip in January, I will suggest Disney Dollars (when asked).
For birthdays, we've also cut back. The party that we throw for their friends IS the gift. I spent almost $200 on DD's 7th birthday last month. That was a great gift! I let her choose - you can have a birthday party, or you can have a big gift from mom and dad. She chose the party - everyone was happy.
Of course AT the party she got a million things from her friends. When their parents ask, I always say art supplies. It's something we're constantly running out of. She had 19 thank-you notes to write this year... I don't think she missed an extra gift from us.
My DS (4) and DD (7) have birthdays only 6 weeks apart. So last year we got them one "big" gift right in the middle - an inflatable bouncy house which they LOVE and fits in the basement. Great winter activity... This took the place of other gifts.
Another Christmas idea - in my small family (mom and dad, sister and fiance, my DH and 2 kids) we exchange names. In the past we've done this just among the adults and everyone still got stuff for the kids, but this year I'm including the kids in it to also cut down on gifts. We do it as a "secret Santa" kind of thing where you have a $50 limit on the gift and also have to make something for the person. The kids will have fun keeping the "secret" until Christmas Eve, and this way they get to make something personal as well.
In DH's family (10 adults and 9 kids total) we always got ALL the kids Christmas gifts. I thought that was ridiculous. So for a while we had the kids do a name exchange. Then last year we cut it out altogether. The kids get more than enough stuff from grandparents, Santa, etc., they don't need more. Nobody really had any problems - it took me 8 years, but I finally got them to do it!
It's hard being a parent and wanting to give your children everything, and yet realizing that you probably shouldn't... Good luck! I just cleaned out DD's room after her birthday party. She was actually really good about helping and ditched all of her Barbies (she never played with them, anyway), My Little Ponies, 2/3 of her stuffed animals, and all the junky toys from Happy Meals. I was really proud that she was old enough to help me with this activity since I usually have to be sneaky about it.
This past year, Santa only brought one gift to each child. DH and I were sparing on what we gave kids. That meant that even though my parents went over the top (as usual), we weren't compounding the issue. This year, since we have a Disney trip in January, I will suggest Disney Dollars (when asked).
For birthdays, we've also cut back. The party that we throw for their friends IS the gift. I spent almost $200 on DD's 7th birthday last month. That was a great gift! I let her choose - you can have a birthday party, or you can have a big gift from mom and dad. She chose the party - everyone was happy.
Of course AT the party she got a million things from her friends. When their parents ask, I always say art supplies. It's something we're constantly running out of. She had 19 thank-you notes to write this year... I don't think she missed an extra gift from us.
My DS (4) and DD (7) have birthdays only 6 weeks apart. So last year we got them one "big" gift right in the middle - an inflatable bouncy house which they LOVE and fits in the basement. Great winter activity... This took the place of other gifts.
Another Christmas idea - in my small family (mom and dad, sister and fiance, my DH and 2 kids) we exchange names. In the past we've done this just among the adults and everyone still got stuff for the kids, but this year I'm including the kids in it to also cut down on gifts. We do it as a "secret Santa" kind of thing where you have a $50 limit on the gift and also have to make something for the person. The kids will have fun keeping the "secret" until Christmas Eve, and this way they get to make something personal as well.
In DH's family (10 adults and 9 kids total) we always got ALL the kids Christmas gifts. I thought that was ridiculous. So for a while we had the kids do a name exchange. Then last year we cut it out altogether. The kids get more than enough stuff from grandparents, Santa, etc., they don't need more. Nobody really had any problems - it took me 8 years, but I finally got them to do it!
It's hard being a parent and wanting to give your children everything, and yet realizing that you probably shouldn't... Good luck! I just cleaned out DD's room after her birthday party. She was actually really good about helping and ditched all of her Barbies (she never played with them, anyway), My Little Ponies, 2/3 of her stuffed animals, and all the junky toys from Happy Meals. I was really proud that she was old enough to help me with this activity since I usually have to be sneaky about it.
Not an expensive or over the top gift but man oh man we will NEVER forget that part of Christmas 2006. 
Fast forward to summer, my kids birthdays are all within three weeks. MIL got them one big gift- a sand and water table. Very awesome 
She also got them tons of other stuff which sort of defeats the point 
but she is working on it. My mom got them a zoo membership and wrapped it in a gift bag with a bunch of animal figures. The kids didn't even notice or care that there wasn't some huge to-do of a present. We will be sure to tell them when we go to the zoo that Grandma made it possible, which is what we've done with the museum too. The twins don't get it but the oldest does. I really love the idea of asking for contributions towards lessons. It's actually been pretty easy to tell people, and most understand our living arrangements anyhow (townhouse) so they know we're pretty crowded and adding excess stuff helps no one. They've also been pretty understanding with the concept of "we'd rather have experiences than things" Good luck!
