Repeat this mantra- it's not about STUFF- it's not about GIFTS, it's not about a load of CRAP under the tree!
Crap they won't care about in 2 weeks.
Why and when and where did I develop this idea that my kids needed oodles of STUFF to open on Christmas, and oodles of stuff for their stockings?
My parents? Yes. To some extent- because the gifts always filled the space under the tree plus more. Stockings were always filled with lots of fun little things-
Not anymore of course- we kids are grown and my parents don't have the $$ to spend on such insane frivolity- yet I know I got this mentality in part from them.
I love to give gifts- and my daughter is a good example of being spoiled. She's sweet as can be but she has SO MUCH stuff she neither remembers nor cares about most of it.
So why do I struggle with there not being more STUFF to give? I don't have the funds to buy them everything they want all in one shot. Nor would they appreciate it all- if they get too much they just want more and they don't appreciate what they have! Maybe- just maybe if they get a couple of things that they really want they will enjoy them more?
I can remember opening a dozen presents or more- Dudley Dursley am I indeed- though not as nasty
This year though my family has 2 gifts per person-and one is from the kids and one is from the adults.
If I let every member of my family buy gifts for every other member of the family? Let's see-6 in my family, then 2 for outside family (more if you count R's family as well- but we don't for this purpose)- so 8 total gifts for 8 people- maybe even 10 if you count two couples as 4 people and not 2.....
64-80 gifts. 64 to 80 GIFTS!!!!! Add that up!
Holy hell- no wonder my brain is fried.
Why is it like this? How to I fix it?????
**headdesk**
