Forget their two front teeth. Creating spoiled kids at Christmas is a fine line. Christmas means giving — but how do you not give too much?
Circa 2015: I have a child who wants EVERYTHING for Christmas. Seriously, the list has been going for MONTHS and ranges from Swedish fish to a trip to Disneyland.
I have another one who doesn’t have a single item on his list that is less than 200 dollars. Any of this ringing a bell with how things are going at your own house?
I get pie in the sky. Especially in example #1. It’s easy to think “Oooo, I want that!” It’s exciting and we all have wants.
I just don’t have a pie. I do have plenty of sky. 🙂
Christmas will happen at our house this year, but I need to be REALLY thoughtful of what they get and what will truly bring the most glee into their little faces.
Christmas is magical, and I certainly don’t want to lose that — but I don’t need to lose my home over it. 🙂
This post was originally written in November 2015, and has been updated (although I have left the kids and our finances circa 2015 intact)
So, how do you keep the Christmas magic without losing your “britches” – here are a few ways I’m going to implement this year:
Bring Christmas Joy without spending a lot:
GIVE. While getting is often what kids focus on, we really work to help them save allowance, take them to the store, peruse Amazon, the whole nine yards. Each of our kids gives to each of their siblings, and I really try to talk them through something they’ll love. I also make it pretty clear that I expect a nice gift myself. I don’t always get it, but I hope. 🙂 I also spend a little time thinking of gifts I’d actually like that are in their price range, so they can feel the spirit of giving when I use/love what they bought me
Do family stuff that is very cheap. Instead of a movie in the theater, we’ll make graham cracker gingerbread houses. That’s like 10 bucks vs 50. I will even pop some popcorn and watch a movie with them afterward. I’m a giver. I want to have a lot of memories; I just don’t need them to cost a lot. Cheaper memories tend to require some investment — as in my willingness to do gingerbread houses. That’s better than me making ACTUAL Gingerbread. So, you can work around how much investment you need to give.
Decorate For us, we have a lot of the decorations, but I just may not have the will to put it all up. However, DOING things together is what my kids will remember. Honestly, I think one of my favorite Christmas memories growing up was decorating the tree and then eating some fudge. I honestly remember that right up there with the time they took us to Disneyworld. I think I sometimes forget that, and feel like they only remember the “wow” gifts.
Let them list. A lot of time, the joy is making the list for some kids. I am fairly sure my daughter doesn’t expect to get everything on her list (at least I hope so) — but she really likes making the list. No reason not to. Just as long as they are aware these are just fun ideas and you’re grateful for them giving it to you. 🙂
A BIG part of being a kid is about dreaming – -what you’ll be when you grow up, what a great mom you’ll be, etc. Christmas lists are part of that!
Serve Christmas is a GREAT time to do a lot of service. Think of a problem in your area, be it cold homeless, or kids who don’t have enough to eat on the weekends and tackle what you can. If you have no idea where to start, we have always had luck asking at our local school what we could do.
I am a huge fan of the #LighttheWorld campaign during the holidays. And this is a good reminder that children can serve in so many ways that are just right for them.
Really take the time to look at each child. It’s possible that child 2 will get something on his $200 list. I need to just swallow hard and remind myself that he only has 1 more Christmas at home {silent tear} before leaving for college. BUT I will really think about him and what will provide the “biggest bang for my buck” for him. He is likely to get some clothes or socks in addition to the big item. If that big item will really be a ton of joy for him, then for me, it’s worth it.
Think experiences over gifts. We plan to spend less over Christmas and take a little trip somewhere. I feel like THAT will provide more magic. For me, it’s a better investment than toys. I have a whole post about it.
I give up. My kids don’t actually NEED or actually want all that stuff. They just think they do. They are wrong. And even if they’re not wrong. I don’t care. 🙂 And that, my friends — is A-OK.
A lot of people employ the need/want/read philosophy.
Each child gets something they need (often clothes), something they want, and something to read. A great way to keep focused on the reason for the season, but still providing some magic!
I think Christmas is SO hard as a parent. Trying to figure out what to give each child, as well as staying on budget.
If you liked this post — be sure to check out my Christmas on a Budget rules.
I love watching parents in the toy stores trying to figure out what to buy. What each child really will play with, will find joy with and treasure…
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Lynness says
My kids all want everything too; but the upside of that is that they are excited for simple stuff as well as the big stuff. Several times (including this year), we’ve simplified the gifts by using a specific number of categories- you’ve probably seen the rhymes. We wanted to include experiences as well, instead of stuff they really don’t need, so I adjusted one of the common rhymes and this is what we’re doing this year:
Something you WANT, something you NEED, something to DO, something to READ.
This is simpler, but not necessarily cheaper. Since I’m only giving 1 WANT, it’s often bigger than I would normally go. And those experience gifts aren’t cheap, either. (Thank goodness for Groupon and Living Social.)
Hilary says
Yeah, I agree. I think rhymes like that are helpful to decrease the crap you buy on impulse. At least, that’s what they do for me. 🙂