How Many Gifts To Give....

Happy Wednesday Ladies!

 

Hope you are all having a great week!  I cannot even believe Christmas is next week!  I just started my holiday shopping like a week ago, and I still have a few things I need to get before I am done!  Definitely kicking myself a bit for waiting so long this year!

 

I don't know about you guys, but every single year I stress about "do I have enough under the tree".  I tend to overbuy...I love seeing a ton of presents under the tree..it just makes me happy.  Often I have found myself buying things they weren't even asking for just to have "more" under the tree.  A light bulb went off when Brooke and Harrison were younger...they had so many gifts to open Christmas morning, they were overwhelmed..they were tearing the wrapping back just enough to see what it was, tossing it to the side, and moving on to the next.  It was at that moment I realized I was doing way too much...they didn't even appreciate what they were getting!  I stopped buying them random things, but I found myself most times buying them every item on their list, because I didn't want them to be disappointed!  Like I said...I tend to go overboard. 

 

As my kiddos have gotten older their lists aren't as long anymore, however the price tag is ENORMOUS!  Long gone are the days of $20 items...hello $200 earbuds!  I have always had all the gifts under the tree from Santa, we never gave our kids gifts, I never even gave it a second thought.  Then this year I read something on social media saying to be mindful of what we mark from Santa, so when kids go back to school no child's feelings are hurt when one child is telling about all the awesome, expensive toys they got, while another child maybe only got a winter coat and a few small items they "needed" not wanted.  I never thought about that...however a few days later I could relate...but in a different way.  Olivia was talking to Buddy (our elf) saying how she had to have a new kitchen and all the accessories for her American Girl doll, and she really needed Santa to bring it because, in her exact words "Buddy no way are my parents spending like $250 on this stuff" ...well she was right about that...it wasn't happening!  I told Olivia I wasn't sure if Santa would be able to bring that to her, and she said "yes he can Mommy, he makes everything, he doesn't have to pay for it"....oh girl yes he does!!!  At that moment it hit me...I should have, years ago, just made a few gifts each year from Santa and the rest from Mommy & Daddy! 

 

The older kids get it, they know we are buying the gifts (AJ is still questionable...he is 12) so they ask for bigger ticket items of course, but within reason.  It is hard when they still believe in Santa and think they can have 425 gifts!  Mark and I talked about it, so we sat down with the kids and told them that we spoke with Santa (because duh all parents have his number) and since they are so many children all over the world this year that need gifts, he will only be able to bring them 3 gifts, and he asked if the moms and dads would help out and buy a few gifts too.  Olivia was a bit tiffed about this at first, but we explained to her how the wisemen brought baby Jesus 3 gifts, and she seemed fine with it....parent win! 

 

I was really happy with the decision we made to cut back a bit this year, my kids have so much, they are so fortunate...and I really want them to understand that as wonderful as it is to wake up Christmas morning with a thousand gifts, the true, real meaning of Christmas is just so much more. 

 

This year, I decided on a budget...and stuck to it...that has NEVER happened.  For years I was always so worried making sure each kid had the same number of packages to open...it just added so much stress to the holiday.  I will admit, at times I get a bit sad to think there will not be as much "stuff" under the tree this year, but I quickly get over it.  I realize going into debt for Christmas gifts is just plain stupid, and I know the kids are really going to love what they are getting...it may be less under the tree, but they are getting what they have asked for!  Quality over quantity...I'm so glad that is happening over here!

 

This past year has been full of ups and downs for me, our family has gone through a lot this year, and a lot of change has happened for all of us.  Some days were really hard, but I have learned so much this year, and I am truly understanding what it is to just be content with what I have.  I've learned that people are going to like me, or not like me for that matter, for who I am, NOT what I have.  And this is something I am really instilling into my children.  I was not looking forward to the holidays this year at all....being away from family, not having Harrison here with us..I was hating it all.  But now, I am so excited for Christmas...I am happy and at peace with myself, and my life where it is right now.

 

So what about you guys....I would love to hear how many gifts are under your tree, are they all from Santa, are they wrapped or unwrapped under the tree....I always love hearing what everyone else does!

 

Hope you all have a great day!