Ask:
I have plenty of gifts for my kids already for Christmas, but I feel myself wanting to buy more, more, more. I have a mental list going... so far I have only been weak in the book department. I just got a nice box from bookcloseouts with plenty of Strawberry Shortcake sticker books for dd, who loves both Ms. SS and stickers. I couldn't say no.
But I am trying to be strong otherwise. I mailed off packages yesterday- one less thing to worry about. But there are still a lot of shopping days left...
Answer:
I know exactly what you mean. I have two sons and I've already gotten them some stuff that I know they will love. But my concern is getting the same amount for both. My oldest is nine years old and my youngest is six years old. I always try to spend the same and get the same amount for both. Well I've gotten my oldest ds five gifts but they come up to more money than my youngest ds's seven gifts. So do I get my oldest two more gifts even tho his five is around thirty dollars more or get my youngest something worth thirty dollars more? I know this sounds silly but me and my husband both know how it feels when parents make a difference between children. I really try hard around Christmas to make everyone happy even family members that don't give a hoot. My husband says that I need to stop being a people pleaser but I have a feeling that he likes it when I please him as well. So with all that being said I am pondering whether or not to take part in the black friday chaos. I love a bargain but is it really worth it?
Answer:
My mom was always a stickler for getting equal gifts for all six of her kids. If one got books, we all got books. If one got PJs, we all got them. I think we all received only one "customized" gift each year. Looking back, I think she did the right thing. There was never any bickering or hurt feelings or feeling slighted.
Answer:
well dd has 8 presents so far. 5 from us and 3 from santa. and ds has 5 presents. we still have to get him a couple more, but dd is done. i try really hard not to go overboard on gifts for my kids. tehy get tons of presents from the rest of the family as well.
Answer:
I had several things still that I planned to get my younger three...but when I tallied gifts this past weekend and discovered they had more than enough, I made a promise to myself to be DONE. It is hard...cause I know of several cute things to buy...but also know they just don't NEED it!!! Now, I am focusing on finishing up the older three kids (who are all but done!), and also a few odd relatives (no pun intended, I swear!!) who we buy for every year!!!
Answer:
Ugh! This is the one downside to shopping ahead...I always want to buy more when Christmas shopping season actually arrives. I think I have been very good this year, we have one large gift (a playdough table) from Santa that I got last year at Target for $6 and 3 other small Santa gifts. I also have 5 gifts from dh and I, one is clothes, one is a book, there is also a bank and some puzzles. The only things I bought in addition to what I already had were the book and a care bear with a dvd from Santa...dd LOVES care bears.
Of course, she will also get a bunch of gifts from grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc...
Answer:
As dh and I are the only real ones buying for ds other than grandparents (1 gift, which I'm actually not complaining about) we tend to do up Birthday and Christmas for ds as they are in the same month and he doesn't get any presents any other time of year!
But I have to say I've been 'pretty' good. A few weeks ago ds mentioned he wanted a microscope. We've decided to put if off until he's older and we can get him a good one. He is only almost 5. I want to get him a good one that won't frustrate him, as the experts say to do, but the one we want is probably good for someone 6+. So we're waiting until next year. In the meantime he can use a magnifying glass! I actually ordered a cheaper one then cancelled it. Dh agrees, we'll get him a better one later (dh is a scientist so his heart is near and dear to this one).
Answer:
Totally understand this!!! We already had stuff stashed away for the kids, but the oldest child is getting a GameBoy Advance, so we feel like we should get the middle child something more 'substantial'...so now dh is getting him a race track set. Then DH looked through all the black friday sale ads and now wants to get the middle child some other things, and the older child some other things... this always happens!!! We can never just say ENOUGH. They have enough. DH is out shopping right now... we'll see what he comes home with!!! After today, we are sticking to our guns. No more stuff!!!
Answer:
The holidays can be stressful and EXPENSIVE. We don't spoil our kids during the year, so we do like to indulge them a little on Christmas, although we don't spend too much. It's a fine balance. We try to buy a good mix of practical items, consumable things and something they just plain WANT.
To simplify gift giving for our adult siblings, we're giving gift cards. I'm also doing a lot of shopping online to save time in the stores and also to help avoid impulse shopping.
Answer:
Well i buy all year so even not buying anything now unfortunately their presents are not simple. I'm a shopper and can't resist anything nice at a good price. They have got way too much for this year, BUT other than my mom, dad and aunt we are the only ones buying them presents so I feel like we have to do alot that most parents don't b/c they have their families that spoil their kids. KWIM? So yes they get alot from us, but it all equals out in the end.