Less is More-Part 2

If you are a frequent reader of our blog, you know that my kids made up a game called “Sleeping Doggy” in a previous post.  It started with a card board box.  Seriously.

Bossy Boots and Mr. Friendly are 4 this holiday and they make for a very fun holiday season.  They are into the North Pole, elves, reindeer, etc. hook, line and sinker.  Because of their age, I am frequently asked what they want for Christmas.  Neither of them wants anything that is really interesting or earth shattering, and I have caught myself recently wondering if I don’t need just one more grand gift for everyone on Christmas morning.

As soon as these thoughts cross through my brain, I inevitably tell myself, “No, they have plenty.”  So today I am wondering where this natural tug to give our kids “stuff” comes from????

To make my point on the stuff they already have, here is a little background on what Mr. Friendly & Bossy Boots have prior to Santa’s arrival…

Their birthday is in October and I requested no gifts at their birthday party because our playroom is already full.  I did tell family members they could give gifts if they wanted to because I didn’t want to be a total birthday Grinch.  Because our family is VERY generous, they were showered with gifts and several of their friends brought gifts anyway.  In fact, they got so much, I tucked away several things in a bag and will save them for a rainy day or possibly use as stocking stuffers since they weren’t even aware of what they really received.

They have a trampoline and a play-set outside. They have a playroom that is full of toys even though I just took 2 garbage size bags to Goodwill.  There is a train track, books, a kitchen with food, plates, etc. an art easel, stuffed animals, cars, trucks, chalk, toy figures, and a lego-type building set.

In addition to this playroom, we have a basement that houses another train set, Barbie townhouse (with 3 convertibles), art supplies, some random toys, and a Wii.  And did I mention they have a zillion books and movies?

So WHY IN THE WORLD am I questioning what they need for Christmas?  Is it just a natural part of parenting small children or is it some sort of sinister marketing ploy from Madison Avenue that makes me think they need the remote controlled swimming shark or it just won’t be a good Christmas?  Why have the toys we currently have become invisible?

Let me remind you- THEY have not asked for much this holiday.  This push to get “just one more thing” comes from me, not them.  Other parents of this age child have shared with me how shocked they are at what their kids are NOT asking for.  So it looks like the “stuff” issue lies squarely with the adults.

So, as you read this, know I am crafting a resolution for next year.  Less will be more.

I will NOT be swayed by super cool marketing, the most unique gift I have ever seen, or that awesome BOGO sale at Target.  I will stay focused on what gift can enhance our already overloaded house (and life) and still make Christmas morning perfectly Norman Rockwellian.

Happy holidays to all of you and if you get the remote controlled swimming shark, please post a picture for my kids to see because I am DONE shopping!