Growing up as a kid, there was an unwritten rule that my mother put in place:
“No buying things for yourself leading up to Christmas. Just put it on your wish list.”
And it works really well. The thought is that if you happen to wish for something then people will have an idea of what to get you for Christmas. If you buy it yourself, then you’re limiting the ideas for others. And we are passing this down to the girls.
Munchkin’s birthday is less than a month away. With 4 years of experience, she knows that she will be getting gifts. Christmas is only a week and 1/2 after her birthday so there will be gifts for that as well. (Ya, I know…good planning on my part)
The girls know that gifts are for special occasions. I did not want her thinking she got something new every time we went shopping. So when friends ask what wants for her birthday, the first thing out of her mouth is “Polly Pockets”. She has been watching commercials and seeing them in the stores and she wants them all one so badly.
When we are in a store, she’ll walk up to the Polly Pocket, Littlest Pet Shop or Strawberry Shortcake display ad say “I’m getting this for my birthday.”
Then I remind her that she can ASK for it for her birthday, but by no means does that mean that she is going to get it. Since we don’t buy a lot of toys throughout he year, there is a good chance that she will get the ones she wants the most.
I can almost guarantee that our neighbours will get her the Polly Pocket something-or-other becuase she as already mentioned that to them. But the other requests for Littlest Pet Shop and Strawberry Shortcake things will might not be passed on to other family members or friends. I coud not imagine the mess of all those teeny tiny pieces all over the house. No way. Will some of them show up at my house?? Probably becuase those are the popular toys for 5 year old little girls. We’ll deal with that when it happens.
So how do you deal with the wants and wishes of your little ones? Do you have unwritten rules about birthdays and presents? Do you edit your kids wish lists?
(Please tell me we’re not alone in the dislike of teeny tiny pieces.)
