We’re trying to stick to 3 gifts for each child from us this year… one they need (clothes), one to learn from (a Tag system for J, most likely, and a push toy to encourage M to walk without support) and one just for fun (still figuring this one out).

For myself, I want a Kindle and I want decorations for the house! We moved in almost 20 months ago and have ONE picture hanging. That’s the only “decoration” we have.

We’re trying to go light as well this year. From us, our four youngest are getting scooters, next oldest is getting American girl books with mini doll and oldest is getting a jacket and new boots. Santa’s bringing our little boy a Toy Story race track, the four middle girls a Barbie Dream house (subsidized by a Grandmom), and our oldest a djembe. Plus, character sheets for three girls, character blankets for the two youngest, and pet pal pillows for the five little ones. The oldest won’t get anything additional since the djembe is a bigger expense. Stocking stuffers for all six include a new DVD, socks, little boxes of cereal (the kind I refuse to buy for them), milk box, small apple, character spin toothbrushes and a couple small toys (balls so far, maybe hot wheels cars). I love that Santa gets them things they know mom would never buy them… mostly the character stuff… makes it special, while maintaining my I won’t buy it stance.

LOL Caryn, I have the same stance on not buying character stuff! M’s getting a Toy Story bowl in his stocking because he LOVES Buzz Lightyear (and he’s not even 2!) but I won’t buy things with cartoons for them… LOL

The kids are each getting 3 thing individual, then we give general art supplies, books and such. My oldest son, 11, is getting a cell phone, Diary of a Wimpy Kid books and a Lego set. My youngest son, 4, is getting dinosaur stuff, a remote control Iron Man and comic book action figures. I’m actually finding my 6yo daughter the hardest to buy for this year. All she wants are art supplies.

@sylvia said:
LOL Caryn, I have the same stance on not buying character stuff! M’s getting a Toy Story bowl in his stocking because he LOVES Buzz Lightyear (and he’s not even 2!) but I won’t buy things with cartoons for them… LOL

I read back through my list and thought I’ve really sold out, but actually each kid is only getting two character things. Since the Dream House is a group gift I wanted them each to have one thing to open from Santa. They needed sheets anyway, so the Princesses just up the excitement level enough to make it present worthy.

The other thing… I am anti-Barbie, big time. My oldest daughter never had them. BUT, my dd’s birth grandmom called and asked if I would mind. They always try to do things equally for the kids. It’s nice that they treat all our kids as theirs, but it can get expensive, so a group gift makes sense. They also didn’t want to be seen as giving something huge and having that future expectations, so requested it come from Santa. I imagine they will give each of the girls a Barbie from them. Plus, the Dream House was her mom’s and aunt’s favorite as a child and every time we go over to Great Grandmom’s the kids love playing with their old one. So all told, the benefits of saying yes to this gift out weigh my objections to Barbie in general. Plus, clearly I have already compromised my own ideals, lol! I’m going for life doesn’t have to be as complicated as I make it this year.

@angeleyesm said:
what is a djembe? Sounds like your kids will have an awesome Christmas.

African hand drum. She’s’ a percussionist. She would really like a trap set, but I don’t have time to hunt one out. I’m thinking there has to be some guy out there who played in HS, then formed a band in college, piddled with it after he was married and has abandoned it sense having kids. Better yet, there’s the spouse of that guy, who just wants to get that thing GONE! I need to find that guy.

Liam wants Hot Wheels Acceleracer cars this year. The problem is that Accleracers came out in 2005 and are no longer in stores (he has the DVD’s and L.O.V.E.S. them). We did find some used on E-Bay. The problem with believing in the magic of Santa is convincing him that while yes Santa is magic, he can’t make 5 year old toys anymore!

Sleep.