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Why does my tree look bare, when my pockets are empty?

December 23, 2009 By 6 Comments

Merry Christmas Eve- Eve! …. are you ready for it?

I am..

I think… well maybe…

I mean, I’m pretty confident that I am mostly done.

See, the thing is…  I have a problem with “the cut off point” when shopping for the kids.

I started the season by explaining to my 4yo that Santa will bring one BIG toy, for which he asked for The Zippity and 3 other smaller toys – he picked out Astro Boy, The Ben10 Alien Creation Challenge and the Star Wars video game for his leapster. I figured this would manage expectations and give me some room to come up with a few other “surprise gifts” -2 new books for his Tag pen, Bakugan Maxus & another Leapster Game.

Well when it came down to it… it just doesn’t look like he got much!  The video games & action figures are so small! So my once reasonable Christmas plan– is out the door.

The complicated Princess’ “list” brought its own challenges… mostly of-  she didn’t have a list? She’s only 15 mo., so she doesn’t realize what’s going on- but yet, I feel I need to put on a good show for The complicated boy.  Princess is OBSESSED with YoGabba Gabba… seriously, the show puts her in a trance like no other… so I thought ok, thats easy I’ll get her some Yo Gabba Gabba stuff... except, since the show is mainly geared to pre-schoolers, there is a VERY limited amount of age appropriate toys… and by VERY, I mean… like 3.  Mega Bloks puts out an adorable boom box set, but the blocks aren’t very “MEGA” in size and so its not made for babies. They have a dancing Brobee doll, but being that I’ve never been a fan of the Tickle Me Elmos and stuff, because of the repetitive music OVER AND OVER, I opted to not get it.

So I got her a DVD, a “Don’t bite your friends” YGG book, a shopping cart, TAG Jr. and the Mega Bloks Play & Go Table… Sounds like a lot, but it looks like nothing.

So now with hours left, I’m starting to second guess it all and wanting to run out and get that Brobee.

I remember Christmas morning looking like FAO Shwartz just exploded under my tree, and while we were far from rich, Christmas morning was always so exciting looking.

So now, in an age where kids are mainly asking for smaller yet pricier items,  I still feel this pressure to replicate my memories of a room filled with big toys, even though- I know my son got everything he asked for! Its a ridiculous pressure to feel, I know that…but, do any of you face the same challenges in this new technologically savvy age where kids want lots of  video games who’s price tags add up quickly?

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  • http://snickerbaraddict.blogspot.com vodka logic

    Things always look less too when all the packaging is gone. My kids are older so small electronics are on the list… looks like nothing under the tree..

    Have a great holiday xx

  • http://michellependergrass.com Michelle Pendergrass

    Oh boy do I know what you’re talking about. I’m one that LOVES to see presents spilling out from under the tree and dripping all over the floor. It’s just my husband, my 10 year old son, and me. And like you said, this year, my son asked for pricey, tiny packages. So now that everything’s wrapped, I’m looking at the itty bitty little bit that goes under the tree and thinking, Oh Seriously? Is this all? I’m feeling the guilt already and I just pray that there isn’t a big let down on Christmas morning.

    I don’t think their will be, I honestly think it’s all in MY head.

  • http://www.theguiltyparent.com Nikki (The Guilty Parent)

    I know exactly how you feel. We try not to stick to the same dollar amount & similar # of presents for each kid and with 4 of them, that is very hard to do! Plus, my oldest’s birthday was last weekend so it’s doubly hard to not make the tree look bare. I remember those same things growing up. I think things were more affordable (maybe. I dunno. I was just a kid) than now and I definitely think it’s true that things come in smaller packages but with much bigger sticker prices. If it makes you feel better, I’m running out tomorrow on Christmas Eve to finish up my hubby, son and half brother.

  • Julia

    I know how that feels. Wait till complicated boy is older..the toys are even more expensive and even smaller. DS11 asked for these stupid hand bikes that go to a bike ramp..DS8 wants nothing but video games,and some little action figures and DS3 asked for everything electronic he could think of (hate to break it to him that Santa is in a resession and had to limit his toy load) so what I usually do is just buy clothes. They need them and the boxes make the tree look loaded.

  • http://www.dancinghotdogs.com Divina

    Baby Boy is only 1.5 so no list yet. But next year will be another story. I give you a lot of credit for the lists I will keep in mind for next year when I am freaking out.

  • http://michellependergrass.com Michelle Pendergrass

    I had to come back to tell you–on Christmas morning, after Zane opened the scant amount of packages I felt guilty over…he sat there on the floor with a few books, 3 movies, 2 DS games, and his stocking stuffers around him and said, “There’s just SOOOO much. Thank you mommy and daddy.”

    And oh the tears of joy and then the guilt for not giving this child credit enough, for not thinking him able to be appreciative. I was so wrong.