It Was Easier When She Didn't Know How to Talk
Every year around this time, it happens. I get asked for Christmas lists. As much as I loathe writing a list of gift ideas for our little family (and, oh, I LOATHE it), I do understand the need. I get that it's nice to be sure that a gift will be wanted and blah, blah, blah, I just hate that I feel like I'm demanding that people buy me stuff. Which, um, no. I'd almost rather get nothing than have to produce a list.
Regardless, every year around this time, I play along with the list game. I email the husband and ask for his portion. Every year he takes the path of annoying and gives me a list I can't work with, but whatever. Eventually, I manage to yank something useful out of him.
Every year around this time, I put together my list. It is basically the same each time--Boyd's plush ornaments, a Hallmark motion ornament, Christmas decorations, and camera stuff. It's all the stuff that I want but won't buy for myself. Easy enough.
And then there's Alexis. For the first few years of her life, I declared myself Supreme Ruler and Boss of Everything and just picked stuff based on what I thought she would like and which wouldn't make me crazy. Last year was the first year she had any sort of opinion in the whole thing, which was fine because she did a good job. It was better than fine, actually, because she's pretty much the only person who knows what she already has. I could stand in the Barbie aisle for an hour and not know what she does or doesn't have, but she can point out that she already has the Barbie with blue eyes and blond hair that's wearing a purple tank top, jeans, pink shoes, and has a pink butterfly tramp stamp on her back. I probably just described 98% of the Barbie population, but that's EXACTLY why I need the kid to say what she wants. Only she knows what's currently buried in her playroom.
So this year I turned to Alexis and asked her for some ideas. She told me it was a secret. "Fine," I replied. "Can you circle what you want in this catalog so Santa has some ideas?" I continued as I handed her the Target toy flyer.
She circled two things. Two things that even *I* know she already has.
SO. HELPFUL.
I went back to her and asked once again what she would like. Again she refused to tell me. Again I reminded her that Santa needs a little help here. She refused and refused and refused to give me even the slightest idea. Finally, after tons of prodding, she turned to me and said, "Momma, what I want for Christmas is between me and Santa."
Well, then.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Reader Comments (16)
Hallmark has a christmas ornament that looks like a mailbox - maybe you could have alexis write her note to santa with pictures/cutouts of what she wants, and "mail" it to him?
http://www.hallmark.com/online/in-stores/keepsake-ornaments/2010/ornament-detail/?id=pipe_qxg7566
We are having similar issues with BB's "big" present. I'm starting to panic. :(
Ahem. You better hope that what she wants for Christmas is not a sibling.
Ugh. She's not old enough to stop helping. The past few years have been so tough...with Brandon being so not helpful. My girls have never been helpful...but that gives me supreme rule still...until they throw their presents away in disgust (it has happened).
Alexis,
I have it on good Elf authority that while you may think you have a secret going on with Santa, the man is old. Old people forget stuff, remember something from years ago and think its current and they LOVE lists (so then they do not have to remember so much).
Trust me. Sit down with Mom (are you writing yourself yet?), work on a letter to Santa. You better get a move on though, it takes a long time to get snail mail to the North Pole. You can tell him how wonderful he is and include a little reminder about the SECRET stuff. Have Mom find an envelope, slap a stamp on it and get it to the post office.
Here in my town, we actually have a special mailbox outside the town library JUST for letters to Santa. Due to naughty kids and sneaky grown ups, all letters going in the box must be inspected by a parent (just to make sure the kids aren't trying to send Santa the house key or something).
So, send Santa a little reminder, just in case. Its just the smart thing to do :)
Merry Christmas!
Take her to see Santa asap, get an elf or santa the heads up that you need to know what she asks for.
@Mattie--I already know she wants that. Too bad she has no control over the situation.
My idea was to help her write a letter to Santa, but apparently I'm not as original as I thought. Enjoy it while the majic lasts, though. Last year was the first year my kids didn't believe, and the "Christmas List" thing just has a whole different feel.
I think it is an American Girl doll. :)
Will she sit on Santa's lap in the mall? Then you can go back later, and slip him some cash to tell you what she said. Or, have her write Santa a letter? Or, you're just screwed. : )
Yeah, good luck with that.
I like the other suggestions of a letter.
I love it when the kids tell the Santa in their head what they want, and not the Santa whose lap they are sitting on, or his elves who keep prodding for information. Not really. Good luck though. :-)
Remind her that Santa isn't the only one who gets her gifts. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends want to get her gifts, too, and they can't read her mind like Santa can. All those other people need a list.
My boyfriend and I, who are starting the big "marriage" talk, have talked about how we want to raise our kids. It's posts like this that reinforce my opinion that we should burst the Santa bubble early. But what do I know? lol Good luck!
I love your kid. She is awesome on so many different levels.
Remember how you always knew that someday she'd be smarter than you? Um....