I am about up to my neck in things to do around here today. It is Mr. Boogie’s b-day and I have been running all over getting things together for that. I had a FF post planned, but it will have to wait until tomorrow or next week.

Although it was written with gift giving for Christmas in mind, we are applying the same fundamentals to Easter here. My kids don’t need anymore candy or little plastic trinkets. This year they are getting a trip to the Renaissance Festival (but shhh! don’t tell) Here is a blast from the past…

In conjunction with my post on Eco-Friendly, Educational, and Safe Toys:

“I am sick of them having all kinds of unused, unappreciated toys sitting around.

Oh yeah, the item may be a big hit on Christmas morning, but a month later they don’t even remember they have the thing. This bothers me. I throughly enjoy seeing their faces light up when they open a gift, so in a way, it is as much for me as for them. I think if this didn’t happen we would both be disappointed.But I can’t. I won’t. My kids won’t be getting as many toys this year as they have in the past. This is easier to explain to A, but how do I handle this with the boys? They still think Santa brings them gifts. While I am really into teaching them to be thankful for what they have or get, and want to instill the value of having less is sometimes more, I am really afraid they may get upset and not understand at all.

As a child, we got ridiculous amounts of gifts. I loved Christmas morning, waking up and seeing the entire floor covered with gifts for us. It was like a child’s dreamland. A experienced this before the boys came along. As an only child and one going through a messy custody battle, she was extremely spoiled and gifts were lavished upon her by people far and wide. We now know this was NOT a good thing. Since there are more kids and grandkids, gifts have really been cut back a lot. She’s been upset by this in the past, but is getting used to it more every year.

I believe this is an important lesson to teach the kids- live within your means, be thankful for what we do have, appreciate and use what we have, simply our lives, and focus on non-material items, like time together as a family. This year may be difficult, as it will be a change from the norm, but each year it will get easier, I suppose.

One thing my kids all really like, and I have yet to meet a child who doesn’t -is time. The gift of time. This is something my kids will be getting as a gift this year. They still will get a toy or two, but I have already purchased tickets for the entire family to go to the circus. (Yes, I know the circus is controversial, please don’t leave me comments on the evil of them. I will just delete the comment. really. I have done my research and formed my opinion on the matter for this time. )

Time doesn’t even have to be as expensive or “big” as the circus. My boys love to bake with me. I might wrap up a few utensils and some chocolate chips for us to do some one on one baking. They would love to spend that time with me, as it doesn’t happen as often as any of us would like.

One of my friends has purchased a few tickets to different performing arts to give to her son. No batteries for any of these. No broken plastic lying around. Just time and memories.

Another gift I always have loved to give (probably no surprise if you read this post), is magazines. Kids love getting mail and magazines are a great way to encourage reading and learning about the world. I even have a few NEW ideas on what to do with those old mags that I plan on sharing very soon, so recycling the paper is not an issue here…. Yes, you might have them laying around like a toy, but I would rather books or magazines over the other.

Memberships to the zoo, aquarium, museum, or where ever you like to go are also great gifts. Even a gift card to the other House of Mouse- Chuck E. Cheese is a viable non-toy, laying around cluttering up space, idea. Once again- time with your kids comes into play.

Lessons, or extra-curricular activities also make wonderful gifts. Even if they are only for a few drawing lessons, I am sure they will be greatly appreciated, used and not tossed aside like a week old toy.

The last idea that I have, for the moment, is giving the gift of charity. While it could be volunteering at the soup kitchen or whatever, I know this is not feasible for my family with kids that are so young. I have struggled to find ways to make charity understandable and accessible for my kids, but probably have come up short. The idea of sponsoring a needy child, a sick animal, or something similar might be a great learning experience for them. The gift they would get from that would be educational, emotional and priceless.

Of course, my boys are not regular readers right now, so if I just wrap up a ticket, they may have no idea what it’s for. For the circus tickets, I am planning on picking up a little gift in theme to wrap with it. I am not sure if it will be a bag of cotton candy, a little elephant, or what, but something that will give them a clue as to what is on that piece of paper.

These are a few ideas I have come up with and am guessing there are a lot more out there. I would love to hear your ideas! Please share!”

Have a wonderful weekend!

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