Insert Guilt Here
In a feeble attempt to wipe away memories of a certain football game, I spent the past hour or so wrapping Christmas presents. We're way ahead of ourselves this year with the shopping, in no small part thanks to the constant rain we've been having. If I can't put up lights, I figure we might as well do something Christmas-related
Alexis loves to "help" me with the wrapping. I suppose the fact that she has helped me wrap her own presents is going to take some of the surprise factor out of it all for her, but I refuse to care. I have the rest of her life to have to be sneaky with the gift buying and wrapping. Mostly she likes to help because she likes to paw and grope other people's presents. She's quite convinced that several packages that are clearly marked with other names are going to somehow end up permanently in her possession.
That is where the guilt sets in. We have not bought her a single thing for Christmas this year. Not a one. Sure, she has plenty of packages under the tree, maybe too many. But not a single one of them was an item that was bought just because of the holiday season. She has a Gap outfit that I bought last month because the jeans, sweater, and shirt were on clearance and cost a whopping $21 all together. I wouldn't have passed that by regardless of the circumstances. But since she's not currently hurting for clothes to wear, I tucked them away and declared them "Christmas." There is a pair of Dora pajamas that Daddy found on sale. When he tried to put them on her one night, I ripped them from his hands and called them "Christmas" as well. She's also got about ten books under the tree. Every single one of them was at TJ Maxx on clearance for $3-$4. I would have bought just as many of them in July as I did Thanksgiving weekend. I proceeded to hold them aside for gift-giving.
Probably her biggest gift is going to be a whole bunch of new Signing Time DVDs. If we're being honest, those are absolutely a gift for the adults in the house. As much as we love the all of the songs from the episodes she already owns, it's SO time for some new music. With a long car trip to Indianapolis in the near future, I guarantee I'll be busting those suckers out for the drive. She can happily stare at her portable DVD player along the way and we can enjoy the sounds of music we have never heard before. She'll be excited, but trust me, I'm more excited. They are brand new episodes that were just released on December 3rd. I would have bought them no matter what.
Notice the lack of actual toys? There is one doll under there, but only because it was on clearance for $7. Other than that, she's out of luck. No toys for Alexis. I'm mean like that.
The good news is that the girl has oodles of Grandparents that will likely come through for her in the toy department. If they don't, we'll be hitting the clearance racks and making sure she gets a toy-filled birthday next month. That is, after I go through all of her current toys and donate a few boxes of them to Goodwill. We do it every Christmas, and it's one tradition that doesn't make me feel guilty at all.
If you need a pick-me-up after that game like we do, go play this. Kicking Tom Brady's butt will make you feel a tiny bit better, I promise.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Reader Comments (23)
Did I miss something? I was really wanting to kick Brady's butt. I can't stand that guy - he reminds me of my arch nemesis in school, who got his cronie to twist my arm behind my back until I said he was the cutest boy in school. Even though I was in pain, I held back the tears, and said "Anyone is cuter than you. You are the ugliest boy in school". (I always was stubborn). Don't worry. I got him back. We walked home the same way, and I pushed him down a snowy hill in front of his friends. Wish Rothlisberger would push Brady down a snowy hill, figuratively of course.
First of all, I'm so sorry the Steelers lost (got crushed). We're Packer fans first, but Steelers fan second - UGGGH what a mess, no?
And you're right, the Grandparents and the family will INDEED bring more toys than any one adorable little girl could wish for! :-)
There's no need for guilt in not giving toys. Good heavens, by this time next month she'll be rolling in mountains of them.
Although with that sad face I could probably be guilted into buying her some.
Good for you. I bought toys, and I spent Friday boxing up FIVE big bins of them to give to charity. We had way too much stuff in the basement that my kids had out grown. It's nice and tidy down there now and it seems a shame to fill it again.
Sigh.
I give you huge amounts of credit for even wrapping them and putting them under the tree! My kids are also getting nothing 'special' for Christmas, and as I am attempting to save the planet one tree at a time (AKA too lazy to wrap), all of their gifts have been washed and put away shortly after purchase. I am starting to feel very Scrooge-like . . .
Ugh. That game did suck, didn't it?
I haven't started Christmas shopping yet. No presents. Not a one. So you're in better shape than I am.
I didn't buy any toys this year either. We have some nursery rhyme CD's and books and that is it.
I agree, the grandparents will probably come through on the toys.
I didn't watch the game, but I feel your pain! Try being a Falcons fan (which I'm not, but if I were, sheesh!)
I wouldn't feel guilty about the kind of shopping you've done. It's called smart shopping. I wish I could do more of that kind of shopping. Toys are overrated anyway. :)
No guilt. It looks like you bought her plenty. And her birthday is just around the corner.
We never buy our kids anything. There's plenty of family around to spoil them. The bigger kids are at an age where board games and lego are perfect.
I don't think you'll miss all the flashing lights and noises from new toys with all the Christmas bling you have going!
Jen--Screw figuratively, Benny ,should push Tommy down a hill. A big one. Maybe Mount Washington.
Worksformom--Thank you for your condolences. They aren't making me feel any better (and we all know that's what is important), but the thought is nice. I'm loving what the Packers are doing this year. It's fun to see the "old guy" kick some young butt.
Karen--Could that sad face be used to convince you to find a way to girl up Niles? Maybe some purple or pink legs, different horns, etc.? 'Cause I'm feeling like a big dork for not buying one for Alexis. :-)
Leanne--Good for you for donating some of the toy graveyard to charity. Now needy kids can play with them all while your kids toss their new ones aside because they suddenly want to play with the ones that you got rid of. ;-)
Driving with the Brakes On--It's because I love wrapping. I wrap all of our gifts then start looking to friends and family for more stuff to wrap. Last year my mother-in-law saved a bunch for me to do. She hates to do it, and I'm always happy to fill in the void.
Rachel--It sucky, suck, suck, sucked. Hard. (Thanks for visiting--I LOVE your blog!)
Veronica--I hope so. Otherwise Alexis is going to be all sorts of irritated that I bought toys for everyone but her. She's got her eye on more than one of the packages.
Madame Queen--I think everyone, no matter their affilitation, wanted to see the Patriots lose last night. As a member of the Steeler Nation, I apologize that we did not come through for you. But, yeah, at least we don't have the whole Vick thing on our hands. We like our players squeaky clean around here.
Kidzmama--You know, there are so few electronic toys in this house that I didn't even think about all the noise, lights, etc. Lex is so content to play with her (wood--no bells and whistles) kitchen, dolls, and pianos, that we don't really foray into the electronic world. Interesting.
There's not much in the world more fun than legos and board games. Screw Wii, I'd rather play Monopoly any day.
Sorry about the game. Boo.
We haven't bought anything for Evie yet. Gracie and Isaac are too savvy about Christmas to avoid the toy section of the holiday, and I am seriously NUTS about buying presents for my kids. They are spoiled. Hopefully I can redeem myself in other ways.
Sounds like you are smart, not mean. You have shopped early, caught sales and saved things for Christmas. I, on the other hand, have no self control and always end up giving the kids whatever I bought to save three days after I hide it. Sigh.
Ok, so while I'd like to feel bad about the Steelers... I just can't. The Patriots win put my teenager in a good mood... and really, that was the best part of the day! ;)
Cecily--Thank you for the reminder that I need to tread lightly with this whole Christmas thing. If I play it right, I might be able to continue my mean/cheap ways. While we spoil all year round, I'd like Christmas to stay simple. Fingers crossed.
Sports Mama--Did you say something? I couldn't hear anything over the LALALALALA in my head that invades whenever somebody says anything even remotely nice about that team.
Oh, the game...the game...the games...the horror of it all is just unspeakable so we will continue on and pretend it simply didn't exists- that seems to work for my daughter so I am trying it!
You did a great job- there should be no guilt. Grandparents will certainly get her tons of toys! And I like getting things when they are on sale and saving them until a holiday/birthday...whatever it might be. I think of it as resourceful.
I love that you go through the toys at Christmas. We do that here too. Every year around Thanksgiving we go through the toys and get rid of broken or toys that have fallen to the 'never going to play with it again' pile. That way it teaches the kids to be reasonable with what they have and to give to charity (not the broken of course!)
I feel your pain.... for I am a Ravens fan. And I also felt this pain when we played the Steelers... so thanks for that ;)
Pam--We shall never speak of it again.
Autumn--I'm finding that I'm starting to develop the need to cheer for whoever is playing the Pats. And I was totally cheering for Baltimore yesterday (*ducks* hiya, family that loves the Colts, nice to see ya'). Come December 30th, that won't be happening. :-)
oh..don't feel guilty...she isn't going to know the difference...really. she's going to be just as happy ripping the wrappings from the boxes...she isn't going to really and truly care what's inside them!
i have a really good idea...you have guilt...i'd love some presents so...go...buy some for ME...:)
Oh, that cute face could guilt me into anything. Let me think about it and post one in the store. Give me a few days to contemplate.
I am sorry about the game. It was pretty tough to swallow. If it makes you feel any (and I know not really at all but I'm a witchy woman)better, I won my fantasy game.
I am so impressed A lets you wrap at all. I've been finding curling ribbon strewn everywhere. Tape? HAH there is none left after the tyke got hold of it. And, tissue paper? Has been removed from several bags under the tree.
Have you ever seen the Baby Signs DvDs? They are wonderful.
AFF--Sadly, I did take solace in my FF butt-kicking last night. Top score in the league, baby! I really am glad Ben came through for you; I couldn't handle any more black and gold disappointment.
It's the cat I have to hide the wrapping activities from. He's a sucker for a little ribbon and crunchy paper. Alexis is more interestd in what's inside the paper to realize the joy that could be tape, tissue, and ribbon.
Oh, we've seen the Baby Signing Time videos all right--about eighty bazillion seventeen times. Once the package shows up with the just-released DVDs, we will have every single one available. I think that will make 23. Tons of money, but absolutely worth it.
Ahh...for one special night, I too, was a Steelers fan. I wanted them to kick the Pats' butts so bad! Especially since my Bears upped and died and let the smelly Redskins beat them (quite annoying because I kinda talked-up the Bears at work earlier that day to all the friggin' Redskin fans I work with...yeah, payback was a bitch).
I can see that Alexis was as disapointed as the rest of us about that game. :(
I was doing really good not buying any toys, except for one or two for Cooper (it IS his first Christmas), but then I got a blasted bunch of Toys-R-Us/Babies-R-Us coupons and went a little bonkers...but I did get good deals! Like "hungry hungry hippos" for Gavin for only like $10 plus I still have a $3 mail in rebate!
(totally pathetically rationalizing here)
Ahh...for one special night, I too, was a Steelers fan. I wanted them to kick the Pats' butts so bad! Especially since my Bears upped and died and let the smelly Redskins beat them (quite annoying because I kinda talked-up the Bears at work earlier that day to all the friggin' Redskin fans I work with...yeah, payback was a bitch).
I can see that Alexis was as disapointed as the rest of us about that game. :(
I was doing really good not buying any toys, except for one or two for Cooper (it IS his first Christmas), but then I got a blasted bunch of Toys-R-Us/Babies-R-Us coupons and went a little bonkers...but I did get good deals! Like "hungry hungry hippos" for Gavin for only like $10 plus I still have a $3 mail in rebate!
(totally pathetically rationalizing here)
we don't have many toys for our 17 month old boys either ... they have a truck load already.
Your daughter is so cute. I wish we had signing times videos in OZ.