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Recently, a dear friend introduced a new gift giving idea to me. Growing up, her family each received four gifts from her parents. Something they NEED, something they WANT, something to WEAR, and something to READ. Eureka! This was a great idea! Of course the children will still receive the usual one gift from St. Nicholas, but they know what their limitations are as far as Ryan and I are concerned. I am pleased to say that Christmas has been more simple this year. We have really put a lot of thought into each category for each child. I know that they will feel especially loved Christmas morning knowing the thought and effort we put into each of their gifts.
Here are the tags that will be attached to our families gifts this year. I can't begin to tell you how happy I am that we have started this new tradition. Especially that my children are still young and will easily forget the years of over indulgence.
What a great idea, Danyelle! Thanks for sharing. The tags are super-cute, too. This year we've tried simplifying by just keeping the gift-buying for our girls to a minimum. It has really helped me to stress so much less. Every Christmas I worry and worry and buy too much and then when Christmas morning comes, I realize the girls LOVE whatever we get them. They're kids, they're like that. And then I get mad at myself for making my life so stressful by worrying about getting them "enough". Like you said, as they get older they're hopes start turning into expectations and I don't want to foster that in them by giving them more than they really need or even want. Oh, and happy birthday one day late to you! I'm a December birthday too. :-) It will be 30 for me this year, though. :-)
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely little piece of internet space this blog is. i can already tell it will inspire me in so many creative ways. i'll spend the morning reading through these pages and collecting ideas. my silly heart did a giant leap when i saw sabrina ward harrison on your inspire list. oh! isn't she wonderful??!
ReplyDeleteThat is a really neat way to do your presents. Especially as your family grows every year, it becomes hard to buy presents for everyone. I like the want, need, wear, read. Thanks for sharing your families idea.
ReplyDeleteI think this is such a brilliant idea, and the tags are brilliant too!
ReplyDeletedandee, this is one of the best ideas I've ever heard! I do not have children yet but will definitely tell my friends that do (at least the ones that don't read your blog...yet!) and file it away in my "idea" box.
ReplyDeletehappy birthday!
I love this idea. I feel strongly about giving to those in need since the kids (and grown ups) in my life have so much. We adopt a family to feed and give toys. It feels so much better than trying to figure out what to get adults who have everything. We still buy for the children.
ReplyDeleteCindy P. just told me about this idea yesterday, and I love it too! We only bought four gifts plus one Santa gift for each of our kids this year too. (Which made Christmas shopping for our children YESTERDAY that much easier. Yeah, I said yesterday. We are terrible procrastinators, but we feel good that it's finally done!) It felt so nice not to over do it, and I agree with you, I think they will appreciate it that much more.
ReplyDeleteThose gift tags are PERFECT!
Happy first day of Christmas vacation! I can't wait to hear about your birthday. hint...hint....
i really love that idea. i'm thinking we'll instill it next year. i told the kids 'this Christmas will be little so get excited but not xbox 360 excited.' :) it's just when you add up the gifts from their parents, their gifts from grandparents and their cousin who chose their name, their up to 10 gifts! i've actually seen my kids get bored opening so many. i think i'll add to this list of 'something to listen too' when they are older. then i get to help choose their music. :)
ReplyDeleteI really like this idea too! We always learn so much from our friends that have kids already! I need to make a Tips book for all the tips I have gathered over the years.
ReplyDeleteI do have to admit though. If I had those cute little tags on my gifts as a child, I would have known which gift to peek under the wrapping paper, the WANT gift! :)
P.S. Do you put your tags on a sheet of paper and run them through your printer?
that is just the most incredible idea.
ReplyDeleteDanyelle, you need to put these in your Etsy shop. It's a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThat is a cool idea and something I want to do next year. This year they are each getting one main gift and little things that go with it.
ReplyDeleteIf Molly only knew the Blogger life...she could be famous with this great words of wisdom!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday and I love the Christmas card! So....cute...is that outside in your back yard? Kissmas! Cute! I have a book a save all my christmas cards in! Your's is a keeper!
What a great idea - I am going to do this next year! Thanks!
ReplyDelete- Jenny :)
Jan sent me over-- I LOVE this idea. I may just have to borrow it!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Great Idea! I have been trying to think of something this year to help with CHristmas costs and the FOCUS of Christmas. I think you should post a follow-up on how this went for you last year...
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this! Someone told me of this idea a year or two ago and it slipped my mind - I've been googling trying to dig it up. My little one was too young last year (4 months) and still is this year for it to matter, but my stepson (now age 4) wants everything he sees and since we're on a budget, I wanted to make sure things were even but still fun for the kids. They will get plenty of gifts from family too, so stepson (who will have two Christmases at that) better not be whining!
ReplyDeleteThis will be the third year our family has done this "want, need, wear, read" tradition. I have three girls ages 11, 7, 3, and they love it. I wondered if they would, but they ask me every year if we can do it again. It has simplified Christmas SO much for me, and has helped us focus on what's really important this time of year. Now, if my tags could be as cute as yours...
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!
This was such a great idea that I linked to it in a client's blog post -- www.dandelionforbaby.com/blog. It will be live tomorrow. Thanks again, and the tags are AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! I have purchased a few crafting kits for my daughter already {gotta love those early 50% offs!} but will def. be doing something like this for the rest of the gifts. :)
ReplyDeleteDelayed response, I know, but I absolutely LOVE this idea. I have been looking for a way to build more meaningful traditions into our young family and trying to stem the tide of materialism that seems to creep into Christmas and this is the perfect compromise! I just love it, and - miracle of miracles - so does my husband! This is the plan for next year and the years beyond. LOVE!!
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