12.04.2012

Christmas gift overload...

PLEASE tell me that I'm not the only parent who has a hard time controlling the urge to buy their child everything for Christmas!! This year especially (I'm guessing it's just that Caroline's getting older), I just keep seeing neat toys and gadgets that I know she'd love so much and get so much happiness from receiving. It is truly an exercise in self-restraint for me to NOT buy it all! I know that all of this is trivial and SO not the point of the season (as does Caroline), but it's something I'm struggling with. Again, I'm guessing I'm not the only one.

On Sunday, as we were looking through the ads in the paper, she came across the Toys R Us ad. I let her flip through it for a minute, until she found the Doc McStuffins doll that I had been planning to get her. I was happy to see that it was actually on sale, so I thought I'd sneak out and pick it up that afternoon. When I asked her if I could "borrow" the ad, you'd have thought I took every toy she owned away from her...well, at least by the size of the fit she threw! I explained to her that I'd bring her "book" back, but needed to borrow it to make a copy for Santa Claus, so he'd know what she wanted. How ironic that I was (secretly) trying to do something nice for her and she ended up with a spanking and a time out in her room!

Regardless of this incident, I went ahead and got the doll. And apparently it is the equivalent of the "golden ticket" of Christmas toys this year. The girl at TRU said she'd already been yelled at by a lady who couldn't believe they didn't have any in stock. A few FB friends mentioned that they are seemingly out of stock nationwide! Guess I got lucky...or Caroline is getting lucky! Amazing how much making our children happy does for US!

In contrast to my urge to buy Caroline tons of things she doesn't really need, I am wracked with guilt by my complete lack of desire to buy new toys for Maggie. In fact, (I hope this doesn't earn me Worst Parent of the Year), I am planning to wrap some of Caroline's old toddler toys, as well as some of the unopened gifts Maggie got for her birthday (back in APRIL), and let her open those! I'm pretty sure she won't know the difference at 20 months, right?? And I've already warned Caroline not to breathe a word of this to her sister...now or in the future! ;)

 


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5 comments:

  1. Beth RobertsDecember 4, 2012 at 3:47 PM

    I'm a long-time reader of yours -- and I am EXACTLY the same way!! My older daughter has toys galore coming for Christmas (she's 5). Little sister (who has the misfortune of a birthday the day after Christmas) is getting the short end of the stick...I think I have, maybe, 3 things purchased for her. It's hard when she's got a big sister and all of the toys from when she was younger! Anyway, you are NOT alone!! :)

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  2. A Wedding StoryDecember 4, 2012 at 7:45 PM

    I can't stop! I told myself Avery only needed several things and it has escalated out of control!

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    1. JenDecember 4, 2012 at 7:49 PM

      Just wait until she can TELL you what she wants!! And it's all princesses and Hello Kitty and cuteness! It will send us to the poor house! :)

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  3. BrandiDecember 5, 2012 at 9:59 AM

    Ty wants a walkie talkie so I'm wrapping it for him..hehe!!! Poor 2nd and 3rd kids!!

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  4. *Jen*December 5, 2012 at 9:56 PM

    I relate 100% with Paige. It's even worse because her birthday is this month too. I have to keep telling myself that I don't want her to be spoiled/bratty/entitled, so that helps with my restraint!

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Say something sweet! :)

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