The recent poll was “Do you prefer buying one big present and a couple small presents for your kids or a bunch of medium presents?”
You voted 9 to 6 in favor of a bunch of medium presents.
We normally plan one big present and a few small presents for a variety of reasons.
- By the time all of the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives buy presents, the kids have enough presents to completely refresh their inventory.
- By the time the kids open all of those presents, I think the thrill of opening presents starts to wear off.
- Pookie doesn’t really get the point of opening presents or get the any enjoyment about the process. He does like playing with the presents but normally after the first cool present, he just wants to play with that toy.
- Geetle already thinks that every toy that she sees in a toy magazine and circles, should be under the Christmas tree. We probably shouldn’t go out of our way to encourage that.
Our plan this year was to figure out how to work a new bigger fish tank in as a family present. That plan disappeared over the weekend when BeAGoodMom and I did a little shopping. Oops. I’ll post some pictures and tell that story when I get a chance to get the pictures off of the camera. It is an impressive tank.
We’ll probably still go with the one main present for each kid but we’ll have to spend a little time rethinking what that present will be this year.
Time for a new poll.
I’ve seen a few people talking about getting rid of their TV recently. Would you be willing to get rid of your TV for a year?
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I know this sounds awful, but I’d die without my tv even if I knew the timeout it had a deadline. I do a fair amount of reading, painting, crafting, being out and about even with the tv. Sure, I could take those things to the next level not having tv around, but there’s only so much book-reading I can do before my brain just needs to be “off” for a while. that’s what TV is for me – a decompression time.
here under the Big Top we manage the holiday feeding frenzy a.jk.a. gift giving much like you do. funny, but we do it for the same reasons. so much of what the actual season is lost on the gimme, gimme, gimme more mentality that seems to prevail amongst most families and children imho. my darling clowns may moan and groan that ALL their friends get waaaa-aaaayyy more than they do (and they do if I am to believe their MySpace postings, still they ultimately realize that there is much more on a deeper level than how many pretty wrapped packages are under the tree for them.
oh i asked the clowns the question you posed for the next poll and i heard…
crickets!
what can i say? they are a great bunch of clowns but they are addicted to the boob tube.
I couldn’t get rid of the TV. Even though we don’t watch it much, it does come in handy when the wife or I needs to use the bathroom or take a shower.
Instant babystitter.
I prefer to get my kids a few smaller toys. I work with Ty Inc., so I’ll have no problem getting my hands on one of the TyGirlz dolls for my little girl (www.tygirlz.com [if you're interested!]). My youngest is all about fashion, so it works out well… I think one of the most fun aspects of gift opening is the actual opening… so if there’s only one gift – not much opening! haha.
Oh, and I wouldn’t get rid of the TV
Hi! For me, there are a few occassions I buy big items – kid’s birthday and Christmas. But that is only for my kids. For other kids, I prefer to buy smaller items, due to costs – as I have very big extended family, will need to buy over 20 gifts. If run any parties, there will be even more!
As for TV? I really hate my kids watch any TVs, so I’d choose to get rid of it, if no other adults object! Normally, it is hubby and the grandparents who would protest.
BTW, I’ve given you a little gift. Do check it out at my blog here:
http://www.thesuzette.com/2007/10/treat-award/
We got rid of the TV when our son was about 8 months old. Since we couldn’t really go out anymore (because of that darn baby) we realized we were sitting in front of it from about 6 pm until it was time to go to bed. The madness had to stop. We’ve been TV free for about 3 years now. Netflix and a laptop satisfy our need for moving pictures, but we don’t waste hours and hours watching any old thing anymore. It’s been very freeing. I recommend it. (Oh, and getting rid of the cable bill was nice too.)
getting rid of the TV would be hard. perhaps that’s obvious. however, i think a lot could be gained by way of new activites that are forced to the surface to replace a TV. my wife and i love watching hockey together..that would be hard. i don’t think we could do it. my answer is no.