Gifting

In the past, we’ve never gone overboard for Christmas. Part of it is that the rest of the family way over spoils the kids, and another part is that I remember the years that my parents went crazy overboard even though we were struggling to pay bills and pressure just trickles down to the kids. I was told very young that there was no Santa because there wasn’t money for a big Christmas and my mom didn’t want me to think I had been bad. I think the way I grew up makes me a terrible gift receiver – I never know exactly how to react and I’ve never been able to really enjoy presents. I want my kids to enjoy what they get with the buoyancy of childhood.

All of that lead-up is to say, I think we may have  overdone things a little this year.

Joint gift:

WiiU

We’d been thinking about this for a year, and the moment we decided, our eight-year-old Wii started giving us trouble. Perfect timing.

Also for both, Disney Hidden Pictures board game

Spencer (6.5)

Jeans

Blue Fedora (still trying to properly replace the ones that got stolen last year)

2 Movies (Transformers and Goonies)

Oblivion for PS3 (he wanted Skyrim, but I felt Oblivion was less people-violent)

Star Wars legos

Basket ball

Henry (4)

Shoes (not yet purchased)

Blue fedora (same aside as Spencer’s)

2 movies (Space Jam and the original Willy Wonka)

Funky Barn for WiiU

Tinker Toys

Philbin the teddy bear

Soccer ball

I think I need to get Spencer one more thing? I really like things to be equal, but I don’t even know if they honestly notice things like that – especially since all the grandparent gifts will be added to the mix before they open a thing. We’ll see.

Henry picked out Maleficent for Spencer, which was on his Christmas list, and Spencer hasn’t done his shopping for his brother yet. I had also gotten H a scooter but my mom is going to give that to him from her, and I talked my MIL into getting Spencer roller skates. I don’t know what else they are getting from extended family. 

I am SO EXCITED.