Christmas

Sorry it's the day after Halloween, but I have to ask!

I feel like I do Christmas all wrong, either I've gotten too much or too little for my girls. Last year my 7 yo DD - 6 at the time- was disappointed, I started shopping too late and didn't find some things she asked for. I honestly thought she was still young enough to not notice things were missing from her list, and didn't realize she would!!

What are the big ticket items that you'll be getting?

What age/gender is your child?

What are the smaller things you will get?

If you child has a long list how do you decide which ones to get if you want to stick to a budget?

Re: Christmas

When I was little, my parents asked me what I wanted, and said I would get some of the things on my wish list but not everything. I think it set a good expectation in life. They made sure to find out what my top two wishes were and either got them or set my expectations at the outset. They would tell me when something was too expensive to get. I do the same for my children as well.

Re: Christmas

My sons are 9 and 7.

They will be getting science kits, spy gear gadgets (fingerprint kit, rearview sunglasses, invisible ink pen, etc..), some games (Mindware stuff mostly), a few Lego things.

Noah (7) probably will get a starfinder and a few extra Spy Gear toys or a video game.

Robbie may be getting a netbook or an iPod.. I haven't decided.

My kids DO have long lists. They are kids. They circle everything in the Big Toy Book that isn't pink or sparkley. But they don't get even half of what they ask for. In fact.. more often than not I put things under the tree that they haven't ever asked for. I have learned to weed through the fads and want it just to have it and say they have it items by talking to them. I ask them if they could only have ONE thing.. what would they want. I ask them what they did in school or after school. I watch them at play - look at what types of things they go for first. With my kids.. they are mostly about 'pretend' play. Both of them want to be scientists when they get older.. Noah wants to study planets and Robbie wants to be a chemist. Will this last? Maybe not.. but since they have an interest now, I take advantage of it.

I will say that I would be extremely upset with my children if they expressed disappointment at receiving ANY gift. Gifts are to be appreciated - not expected.

Re: Christmas

Re: Christmas

Re: Christmas

for the same reason that the OP mentioned...i started my shopping early this year.

so far i purchased a few leap frog games for my 3 yr old daughter

and Easel and art supplies for both children

and 2 Wii games for my son

I also purchased the stocking stuffers...becuase I always for to do this until last minute.

When the BIG TOY BOOK come out I will give it to each one of children and aske my daughter to circle the things she wants in purple marker and my son to circle his choices in Green marker.