Last Christmas, Joe and I decided that we were not going to go overboard on our new baby in buying Christmas presents. She would never know the difference anyway and couldn’t even open the presents or enjoy the wrapping paper. But also, we didn’t want to start an over-consumption problem right from the start. I know how kids can get as they come to expect a certain level of receiving. It becomes “more, more, more” and is about getting and not giving. Joe and I set a budget every year for our Christmas spending and do really well most of the time – because we have to and because it’s a realistic goal.
This year we will not get carried away for two reasons: that mentioned above and because right now Hannah is into far cheaper things. Unrolling the toilet paper roll. Taking tissue out of the box. Playing with empty boxes and packaging. Rolled up aluminum foil would interest her far more than some new Leap Frog toy. So, we will get her a few small things that will last, and then we’ll give her some “fun” things and boxes wrapped in paper with bows and let her go at it.
Now Grandma (my mom) is a different story. She sends Hannah lots of surprises in the mail. Brown paper packages, tied up with string. Clothes, souvenirs from her travels, little toys, you name it. And Hannah quite enjoys them – mostly the playing with the packaging and opening them part. Yet another reason why we don’t need to go crazy on gifts for Hannah: she has grandparents. 🙂
I especially love this:
Well…she bought the right shirt. |
bath squirties from grandma – something hannah loves in and out of the bath |
like the snatch? she did not want me playing with her new toys |
pretty present sent from beth in kentucky |
a new ornament for the tree |
that red ribbon now goes everywhere she goes |
books sent in the mail from uncle donald and aunt betsy in savannah, and leah rose in atlanta |
cute book from uncle reg and aunt dorothy in florida |
gingerbread house from the claiborne’s in texas! |
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