Parenting question regarding cutting back on gift giving

[pjlla]

I'll try to be brief. We have always gone way overboard on gift giving holidays with regards to our kids, not so much with large/expensive gifts, but the sheer quantity. It would be nothing for each child to have 20-25 gifts to open from Santa on Christmas morning, not including their stocking. Most gifts were probably under $30 and they usually get a "large"gift in about the $100 range (American girl doll, etc).

I do the same at Easter and can easily spend $50 per child on their baskets. I have, in the past, included videos/DVDs, CDs, Barbies, Rescue Heroes, skateboards, and last year the Bunny brought them a combined gift of a full-size, portable basketball hoop for the driveway.

Anyhow, this is not so much about the $ as it is about the fact that they just have too much STUFF! My DD is a severe packrat and never wants to part with anything!! I usually have to sneak the stuff out. I currently have FOUR large boxes of toys I recently removed from the playroom and hid in the basement for an upcoming yard sale. They just don't need more toys and junk!

SOOOOO my dilemma is, what do I do at Easter so that they don't get so much stuff, but I don't want them to think that the Easter Bunny has overlooked them. (They are 6 and 8.) I thought about savings bonds with a note from the Easter Bunny that these are for college, but how dull for them!! And gift cards from stores would just mean more junk in the house!!

ANY SUGGESTIONS???.......................P

 

[pjlla]

Oh, and before I get flamed.....Yes, my children to understand the real meaning of Easter and its importance. They attend Sunday School regularly. But their mother rolleyes: ) is just a gift-giving nut!..............................P

 

[Lorix2]

I have the same problem here, only at christmas though.

For easter when my DD was that age, a new book in her favorite series with some hair accessories and a little candy was all I would put in her basket and it was enough. I don't think they expect a big production like christmas, why should they really...

p.s. no flames here...I was thinking the exact same thing, that we unfortunately do not celebrate EAster like a good catholic should...I'm not proud of that.

BTW - hi neighbor

 

[Piglet]

We have the same problem at our house.

Something I am thinking about doing is getting DD a basket from the Easter Bunny, then suprising her with a fun activity, such as movie, day at the zoo, picnic depending on the weather. Of course the Easter Bunny always hides bunch's of Easter Eggs and she always looks forward to that.


I am very interested to hear some reply's that you get.

Melinda

 

[FreshTressa]

We put nickles, quarters, and dollars that total $15 each in plastic eggs for them. They had lots of fun hunting. Oh, and they each got a beanie baby bunny.

Then, we asked them what they wanted to do with the money, and they wanted to buy movie tickets and go to chuck e cheese.

So, they actually wound up having lots of fun, lots of family bonding, and no stuff to clutter with!

 

[MHopkins2]

Yes, a gift card to a store would lead to more stuff, but what about a gift card to a restaurant? (Or a certificate to "the restaurant of your choice" to make it even better for the chooser?) I'm not very good with boys (mostly girls in my extended family), but would DD enjoy a "princess manicure" or some such?

 

[peg2001]

We started a tradition of new electric toothbrushes, cool kiddie toothpaste, hair accessories, and a little candy in the Easter baskets. Works for us and the kids (DD4 and DD7) are thrilled with them.

I had a friend growing up who got a wheeled gift every Easter and every year, it was something bigger (roller skates to a scooter, to a bicycle, to a 4-wheeler, etc.) It culminated in a new car at age 16.

Everyone needs to find their own traditions.

Peggy

 

[CEDmom]

I know what you mean we only have 1 child and she doesn't really ask for all that much but even so the stuff really does pile up. How about some stuff they might need for the spring/summer. Here are some things I thought of:

- new bathing suit & water shoes
- new beach towel
- new sundress or shorts/shirt
- sidewalk chalk
- bubbles
- jump rope
- balls
- pool toys

 

[pjlla]

Wow... thanks for so many quick replies...... unfortunately, so show you how overboard I usually go.......... these gifts I mentioned were in ADDITION to money in the eggs, candy, toothbrush and toothpaste!! I told you I go overboard!! But I'm loving the restaurant, movie, and manicure ideas!! KEEP THEM COMING!!!.................................P

to Lorix2.... nice day around here today!

 

[katerkat]

I would say fun stuff that they need - a cool toothbrush, bright beach towel, etc. A gift card (or "official promise") to their favorite restaurant is a goody - I loved picking the restaurant when I was a kid. Oh, and candy. All I ever wanted in my basket was candy.

 

[rdrjj5]

Originally posted by peg2001
We started a tradition of new electric toothbrushes, cool kiddie toothpaste, hair accessories, and a little candy in the Easter baskets. Works for us and the kids (DD4 and DD7) are thrilled with them.



Peggy

I did this for valentines day. They were thrilled with the princess/toy story toothbrushes and toothpaste. This easter I bought each a new beach towel, beach bag and t shirt. Stuff they like but need.

 

[nativetxn]

How about a "coupon" good for a special activity like roller skating, ice skating or bowling?

You could make it an activity that is quality time for you and each child or the whole family at the same time.

I used to give Travis a special toy and/or book that he took to the pediatric ward at our local hospital. He loved doing that It was a good lesson for him in the joy of giving. He got so many gifts from everyone in our family he was overloaded with "stuff" too.

Katholyn

 

[Kimberle]

DD has 3 toy boxes (the plastic storage ones), plus a bookshelf. She is limited to what fits. If she wants new stuff, old stuff must be given to the poor. Generally, twice a year we do a good toy "clean out".

Same with tapes & DVD's. She has 1 drawer. When it's full, no new ones till older ones go.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

If you have a disney trip in the future what about disney dollars?

For us we have pretty set traditions when it comes to non-huge gift holidays - Valentines is a under 15 dollar gift ie video/cd etc Easter is outside toys that usually have a limited use life (usually a huge play ball, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, kite etc) and candy-

Some years the family has gotten a new outside toy ie volleyball net, etc

if you are near the Orem Utah Walmart may I suggest the pack Glow in the Dark Stars for 1.97. Our goal is to sell over 1000 of them the month of March
-em

 

[Pembo]

Easter "gifts" have me puzzled. Easter is about going to church and a basket with some chocolate in it. No gifts around here.

 

[pjlla]

Originally posted by Pembo
Easter "gifts" have me puzzled. Easter is about going to church and a basket with some chocolate in it. No gifts around here.

Well, as I mentioned, we do go to church and understand the full meaning of Easter.... and the gifts originally were in lieu of chocolate, as I was trying to control the amount of sugar in my DD"s life when she was little. Unfortunately the gift aspect has escalated .... no one to blame but myself however!................P

 

[Jenn]

I love the "day out" ideas. Movie passes, movie rental gift certificates, McDonald's gift certificates all sound like a great idea to me.

I also try to give things I know they will need soon - like a new pair of sandals for the summer.

 

[binny]

Great ideas everyone!


We are in the same boat except, I have to admit this, it comes form me yard saling all summer!

Its so hard to pass up on a great bargain I did a lot better last year but we still have SO MUCH JUNK!! in this house. I told dh that the first weekend day we get that its above 60 we will be out in the garage doing a " clean sweep" type of a purge. We have GOT to get rid of a lot of stuff!!



I, too, know I have no one else to blame. Oh well... I really do need do a new hobby.

As for the Easter thing we always do gifts too with the baskets. At least we dont do the 5 ft high baskets I saw recently

OMGOODNESS!!

 

[binny]

oh and how about a Family zoo pass? or a water park pass? for the "big gift" for the family at Christmas. That doesnt take any space and would be a guaranteed fun thing!

 

[Lisa F]

I think the big issue here is that you don't want the kids suddenly thinking they did something wrong because things have changed, right? A lot of these ideas are GREAT but I think how it's received will have a lot to do with the presentation also. Maybe you can present them as "well you're both big kids now, not babies, so the easter bunny is giving you things that are for big kids." Instead of toys, they are getting coupons to do things that big kids do, are old enough to understand money so they are getting some disney dollars etc. Make them feel like they are getting "upgraded" instead of "downgraded."