lil Tip: Scatter the Presents

December 23, 2008

My kids make a killing at Christmas because we have an incredibly generous family and a large circle of friends. But after watching my tots be overwhelmed by gifts in past, this year I broke the rules and allowed them to open some presents early. When my sister came over with a sack of goodies for the lil ones, I let them tear into them. My son and daughter delighted in their loot and their auntie got a proper thank you watching them play with their new name puzzles and games.

There's still much for the kids to look forward to with Santa coming in a few days and family festivities, but in the mean time my son is having a blast circling our Christmas tree on the motorcycle my friend gave him.

7 Comments

mstrauss 4 years 20 weeks

Another good tip: instead of opening them all right away, or even before the holidays, put some of the toys away and pull them out randomly throughout the year as special treats.

Greggie 4 years 20 weeks

My son's birthday was supposed to be Dec 17th and we probably wouldn't have done the Christmas Eve present had he gone to his scheduled c-section date, either.

MissSushi 4 years 20 weeks

cat jumped on my lap and pushed a zillion buttons that published the post before I was finished. anyway, she wont need to open up any presents on christmas eve after having a full day of them a week before Christmas. My parents tended to combine my christmas presents with my birthday presents, so i never had birthday parties or really seperate birhtday gifts, so it wasnt an issue for m

MissSushi 4 years 20 weeks

We always did one present on Christmas Eve too, although I probably wont do it with my daughter, and the ONLY reason we wont, is becuase her birthday is Dec 18th. She's already going to have a normal birthday with gifts and cake and such, so she wont need to open a

Greggie 4 years 20 weeks

We do one present on Christmas Eve. I don't like scattering beyond that, I like Christmas being Christmas. "a lot of the gift-giving is more about the adults than it is about the child... no?" No. Not in our family anyway. It's for the children to be happy.

quivondra 4 years 20 weeks

i noticed my niece at two and a half got 20 plus gifts one year... from just her grandparents! I was in total shock and she went catatonic about halfway through. I mean, they literally were trying to get her to play with each toy for a few minutes before moving on to the next. It was way too much for her and at some point she just ran out of the room and started staring out the window. The worst part is that she is from a broken home so this was her 2nd christmas of the year already. Can you imagine? Needless to say, at 6 she is incredibly spoiled and manipulative. A lot of that has to do with the child-rearing, but over indulgence hasn't helped. Spacing out the gift giving is a much better idea... they can learn to appreciate each gift better that way and all the adults feel great about the reaction from the kid. Because let's face it.. a lot of the gift-giving is more about the adults than it is about the child... no?

beccalu 4 years 20 weeks

I gave that same motorcycle to my nephew two years ago for Christmas and he LOVED it. It's perfect for a toddler boy. I think I got it at Target online...

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