I am just now posting the topic of the week because I just thought of something to write about. My kids think that Santa brings you anything you want because he is magic. Anything they want that they know is out of my price range, they just say, "I'll ask Santa because it's FREE!!" LOL! Although it is incredibly cute, I don't know how to tell them that Santa isn't free because to them, he can make anything happen. Maybe I should tell them that Santa will bring them what he thinks they "need". It's just that I don't buy them anything except for birthdays or Christmas, because I feel they get enough from other sources, so I want to get them nice things. But, some of the things they want are just totally out of the budget. For example, they have been talking about mini-laptops that are around $250 and iPod touch. If it weren't for other parents buying these ridiculously frivolous (and often forgotten) gifts, then I wouldn't be in this predicament because my kids wouldn't want them either. But, that is a whole other subject. What do you tell your kids? What would you tell mine (without breaking their little hearts)? What are your thoughts/opinions on the subject?
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My mom and older sisters would leave us at home with the dads and tell us they were going to "pay Santa" or "pay Peter Rabbit" when they would go shopping so we better be good. That is how I grew up so I always knew my parents paid for the gifts. I just thought they were from Santa or the Easter Bunny. That is probably how I will handle it with Mollie when she begins to understand the concept of Santa. Maybe you could tell them, if they already understand about the economy or the recession, that Santa can't afford to give all of the children everything they want so the parents have to chip in. Good Luck!
LOL! I have tried the Santa can't afford it thing, but they think he is magic, so they think I'm nuts. I used to tell them that Santa would give them what he feels they should get/need, so maybe I will have to resort to that again. And, I want them to know that they don't need all of that junk....that material things are not important. I want to drive in the meaning of Christmas in a way that they understand that it is more about people and less about stuff.
I once heard someone say that Jesus only got three presents so that is how many gifts they get their kids for Christmas!
That is a good idea, kprados!
I would adopt a family or a cause to buy a gift for.
Once the item is decided on then search for the best price.
Example the toy cost 50 dollars. With all possible discounts we save 15 dollars.
Use that money saved to buy another gift for that person or for someone or something else.
I really, really think for this to be effective it has to be done every year or perhaps through out the year.
Continually donating much like we do to the food pantry or faith house.
Over time find a cause that really turns the child or your family on.
Older kids could earn a percentage of their own personal gifts by babysitting or some other kind of work.
I use to give my daughter $200.00 every Christmas to buy what she wanted.
She does not remember that. We never talk about....remmeber the money you got for Chirstmas....
Expect to make lots of mistakes along the way.
Well, we were at Toys-R-Us Friday night, getting Christmas ideas and my son spotted something that he wanted. He paid for it himself, of course, because I make him earn his own things. But, when we got to the counter the cashier asked him if he wanted to donate to Toys-for-tots.... and he gave her everything he had leftover in his wallet. So, I think there is hope for my kids after all!
TBQ
