I think I need a Christmas mental makeover-

[Nephythys]

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**

[BarTopDancer]

One big family gift - a vacation, a trip somewhere special. Give memories, not stuff.

Make it fun though, make a scavenger hunt, or wrap up clues in boxes for them to open (one box has travel sized toiletries in it, another has a book about where you're going or what you are going to do, etc...). Then they have *stuff* to open but it's to meet an end.

[wendybeth]

Boy, do I feel your pain. We've told Tori that this year, it's quality, not quantity. She seems good with that, but now I have the two sides of family to address. We always buy gifts for the kids, but there are soooooo frikken many of them! We just can't keep up, so we're considering just giving the older ones gift certificates or money, and not a huge amount either.

[swanie]

As far as Christmas goes, we have a "quantity issue" for our girls because each our parents are divorced...so that makes for 4 sets of grandparents that want to spoil them. Add the 2 aunts and 1 uncle into the mix and we have presents galore. Unfortunately, this amounts to a good 12+ presents for each kid.

Now, I don't mind the day being a big event for them as long as it is done with the proper perspective. First off, our kids know the phrase, "If you really want that then ask for it for your birthday/Christmas." They know that their needs are always going to be met, but the special stuff comes on special days. We do not indulge them the rest of the year. Secondly, we donate pretty heavily to food drives, we perform countless service projects for Girl Scouts, and we contribute to the “adopt a family” program at church. But I believe our most important tradition is to have each of our girls pick out and shop for their own Christmas Angel. It is their responsibility to provide for that child and deliver it themselves. I may not be able to stop their grandparents from going overboard, but I can make sure that they will always understand the meaning of "giving" this time of year.

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

One big family gift - a vacation, a trip somewhere special. Give memories, not stuff.

Make it fun though, make a scavenger hunt, or wrap up clues in boxes for them to open (one box has travel sized toiletries in it, another has a book about where you're going or what you are going to do, etc...). Then they have *stuff* to open but it's to meet an end.

This year my girls will be opening one box from us with 3 Disney cutie purses filled with knickknacks I've picked up from the Character Warehouse. Each will have a separate cryptic note formatted on the old DL entrance sign. When they put them together, they'll figure out that their Christmas present is a trip out to DL on New Year's Day where we'll be meeting up with Katiesue if she doesn't kick it by then .

swanie

[Not Afraid]

I've gotten so I hate the scurry of Christmas. I love the lights and the smells, but the shopping part I hate - which is odd for someone who loves to shop. We went to Target yesterday for a shower curtain and curtain rod. It was a NIGHTMARE! Crowds, parking mess, crazy stressed people, screaming children - Calgon take me away!

I'd much prefer to have a gathering, a meal, a hot drink, a good Christmas story read aloud.

I think that is why New Years has become THE winter holiday of preference.

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

- Calgon take me away!

~Ancient Chinese Secret~

I miss the old commercials(sorry about the derail)

[Gemini Cricket]

My recommendation is theft.
If we learned anything from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" it's that stealing gifts from your fellow townsfolk will ultimately cheer them up and make them better people.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

My recommendation is theft.
If we learned anything from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" it's that stealing gifts from your fellow townsfolk will ultimately cheer them up and make them better people.

You're a mean one

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

My recommendation is theft.
If we learned anything from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" it's that stealing gifts from your fellow townsfolk will ultimately cheer them up and make them better people.

I know.....why can't someone do a Christmas show where the "Grinch, Mr Potter, Scrooge, etc" gets their just deserts in the end

I think that's why I like Miracle on 34th street....that quack of a doctor got his

[Gemini Cricket]

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

I know.....why can't someone do a Christmas show where the "Grinch, Mr Potter, Scrooge, etc" gets their just deserts in the end

I think that's why I like Miracle on 34th street....that quack of a doctor got his

I always hated that nothing happened to Mr. Potter. But, in the end, his just desserts was that he was alone on Christmas, had to work while everyone else was celebrating at the Bailey household and no one liked him.