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Molly Smith
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Joined: Feb 08 2005
Location: Virginia
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| Posted: March 24 2005 at 4:40am | IP Logged
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So, having just jumped over from the toy thread, here's my dilemma. My parents definitely buy too much for the children for birthdays and Christmas. I will add, though, that it's not any sort of selfish giving, it's truly from-the-heart--they prefer to give than to receive. But, we end up with entire collections of toys (like Imaginext, Rescue Hero, American Girl, not bad things). If one is good, then the whole collection must be better, right? Well, maybe if it was at her house  !
This past Christmas I thought I was being smart and I asked my parents for circus tickets. Of course, they bought the circus tickets, but there wasn't anything for the kids to open, so they ALSO got their regular gifts!
I need gift ideas to offer to my parents! (And no, it's never too early, she was just asking me yesterday about my 2 youngest's birthdays coming up in July and August, she'll be asking for Christmas lists before we know it.) They would probably happily contribute to the children's savings accounts, but they'd still want something for them to "open". The only thing I can come up with would be a bunch of little boxes, each with a gift certificate or gift card to places like McDonald's, the movies, Target or Amazon. What other places? Then they'd have things to open, some of it would be "consumable" and they could use it throughout the year.
I don't know, maybe I'm just venting, but as I said in my toy post, I'm so overwhelmed by what we already have, and I literally go into a panic attack thinking that there'll be more to come.
Oh, and please don't think I mean any disrespect to my mom. I love her with all my heart and she is one of my dearest friends and biggest fans.
Any advice or suggestions are more than welcome. If it's "chill out, girl, and go have a cup of tea", too late, I'm doing that now and it's not working !
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Molly Smith in VA
Mom to seven beautiful children, ages 1-14
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cathhomeschool
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Texas Bluebonnets
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| Posted: March 24 2005 at 10:10am | IP Logged
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Molly Smith wrote:
| If it's "chill out, girl, and go have a cup of tea", too late, I'm doing that now and it's not working ! |
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Well, I'm not going to tell you to chill out, because then I might have to take my own advice!
I can't stand clutter, though you wouldn't know it by looking at our house. This week I began a major decluttering project that I'd been putting off since summer. (Mainly to spare my family members the grief! Alas, they don't mind clutter.  ) I try to keep a running list of books/authors and educational toys that I would like (microscope, telescope, violin, bug catching equipment, new binoculars, board games, consumable kits -- origami, models, eraser clay, etc). I provide my MIL with the list and sometimes with catalogs. She also likes to see them open lots of gifts. She is pretty good about buying from the list. Another idea would be to request sports equipment if the kids are taking up a new sport soon. What about food? My boys love sugar cereal and gummi things. I don't buy it for them, so I wrapped some up this last Christmas in my mother's name (who does buy it for them as a treat when we go to Miami). With big items, like the telescope, many family members contributed so that we could get a nice scope. That year they got little things in addition (crayons and colored pencils, fancy watercolor sets, books). I have also been know to get a set for the kids (like bathtub toys or a bug catching kit) and then open it up and wrap each item individually.
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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cathhomeschool
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Texas Bluebonnets
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| Posted: March 24 2005 at 10:17am | IP Logged
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As for what you already have, maybe the kids would be okay with putting half in the attic for now. We had (and still have) an overabundance of legos -- enough to fill a couple of those 5'x2' tubs that can go under the bed. I asked the kids to pick out their least favorite sets. Some we gave away, and others we boxed up. We will pull these back out as birthday presents for the little ones in a couple of years. Since they are so expensive and get discontinued, I don't mind storing some sets that I know the little ones will love (dinos, soccer, arctic).
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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MacBeth
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Probably at the beach...
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| Posted: March 24 2005 at 10:20am | IP Logged
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Molly, I set up a wish list on Amazon and have my folks (and aunts and uncles) choose books or other items from the list. It's quick and easy, and it eliminates both twaddle and clutter. a wide variety of books in a wide range of prices provides plenty of options for every budget .
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MacBeth in NY
Don's wife since '88; "Mom" to the Fab 4
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julia s.
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| Posted: March 24 2005 at 4:20pm | IP Logged
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Molly,
I don't have a lot of suggestions--I'm in the same boat with my in-laws. In fact my MIL was just on the phone calling from Wal-Mart, at the register none the less, confering which secular (think Scooby Doo) videos to give the kids for Easter. Who gives those videos for Easter? Yes my kids will be thrilled, but I just spent the last few months decluttering and here we go again. But all griping aside, I decided a few years ago to just let her be her. That was my gift to her and myself as it was causing me to seeth under my skin too much. Aside from this one issue we get along great and I'm lucky to be apart of her family.
I find that the more the kids have of any given set the less they actually play with them. Too much Thomas the Tank Engine, too many match box cars, ... it's like their brain gets over loaded by all the options.
For gifts to recommend I would think of things that don't come in sets like a camera (even the cheapies are good for young kids), skates or bikes or even something simple like my kids need a pair of goggles for swimming. Or ask for something that they will have to take your word on like a science experiment kits or kites or if you need new playset have them contribute to that in some way. Or pool passes this summer (of course there's that whole can't open it up thing) I'm mentioning more pricey things because if your family is like mine it has to come with some economic heft or they don't consider it sufficient enough. Then you just get a million little cheapie things that you trip over all the time. Books on tape are a good thing (something I always want, but put off getting myself). Bedding or something to decorate their rooms with are good things. Of course books, but sometimes my family just gets tired of the same thing to give so I like to come up with other options. I'm sorry I forget your kids ages so if these are off the mark hopefully they will give you some ideas to think of on your own.
Let me know what you decide. Maybe I could use some of your ideas  .
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julia
married to love of her life
with ds12 ds8 ds3 and ds1
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julia s.
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| Posted: March 24 2005 at 4:21pm | IP Logged
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Oh and magic kits or craft sets. Still thinking  .
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julia
married to love of her life
with ds12 ds8 ds3 and ds1
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MEBarrett
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| Posted: March 24 2005 at 5:22pm | IP Logged
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How about for the bithdays ask her to have a girls day out with your daughters. Take them out to lunch and then take them to have their nails done or if there is an appropriate movie around go see that. For the boys, how about a ball game or fishing or something like that. Have the grandparents share their interests with your kids. My own kids love to ride around around in the golf cart with my dh's parents.
My own Nana and Pop spent a lot of this kind of time with each of their grandchildren and we all treasure these memories much more than the presents we received and there was a lot of that as well. The presents eventually go away but the memories stay forever.
Maybe your mom would see the sense in this. Maybe someday my mom will too
Good luck!
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Blessings,
Mary Ellen
Mom to seven beautiful kids
Tales from the Bonny Blue House
O Night Divine
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Gift ideas for grandparents
