Nov 20 2008
Ideas for Kids at a Lean Christmastime
Kids’ Gift Ideas for Lean Economic Times
Step One
Tell the kids in an age-appropriate way about the economy. Explain that people are losing jobs and Santa wants to help them, so he is giving some non-elves work. Some of the work is fixing up slightly used toys that silly families gave away. Continue to explain that because these regular moms and dads are beginners in toy fixing, they might not do as good a job as an official North Pole Elf. So, if Santa decides to give our family any of these toys we will feel privileged to help him and the whole world. We will feel grateful that Santa trusted us to be grown-up enough to enjoy these gifts.
Step Two:
Go on-line to your local Freecycle. You can find yours by going to http://www.freecycle.org. Arrange to secretly pick up some perfectly useful items. Some may need a smidge of cleaning, but often the toys or items are in great shape. While you are at it, consider what you might be able to offer to others.
Step Three:
Go on-line to your local Craigslist.org . Under the large “For Sale” category, there are sub-categories. You will want to check under “Free” and “Barter.” Many win-wins can be gained at craigslist.
Step Four:
Greatly reduce your children’s television watching. Alternatively, if you have the capacity to record the programs and then skip the commercials, please do that. Our kids are victims of mass marketing efforts now. If you can reduce their exposure to commercials, you will help reduce their TV-induced greed.
Step Five:
Similarly filter print materials, such as newspapers and flyers, which your kids see. In my area, the Sunday newspaper is the edition full of toy store flyers and inserts. That is not hard for me to “edit” before it reaches the little ones.
Step Six:
(Optional) Whisper a prayer of thanks that you have children, that there will be a Christmas of some sort, and that, in the grand scheme, this is a lighter challenge.
At Christmas, my three kids only get the following:
3 toys per child. I have a budget of $50 per child to buy the 3 toys in.
A stocking with items purchased from the $1 store. I try not to spend more than $10 total on all of the items but I usually go over a bit. All items purchased at the $1 store are divided evenly amongst the children.
1 new outfit and 1 new set of PJs. I budget $25 per child for this.
3 toys for Toys for Tots. I try not to spend more than $10 per toy. My children come with me to purchase and drop off the toys. Even in difficult financial times, I make it a priority to do this.
All told, my Christmas budget is $265.
Thanks for posting this blog! It’s important for people to realize Christmas isn’t about spending a lot of money on new things. It’s about showing love to those around you and being brought closer to family and friends.
demyelinatednotdestroyed.today.com
Great advice and tips, I wish a friend of mine would do this but they won’t and not even if I printed it , but great advice, thank you!