As we enter the holiday season, thoughts of gifts enter our mind. What will I buy? How much can I afford? Will my child still love me if I can’t provide a lot? If I can’t does this mean that I’m a bad mom? Many mothers, young and old, have lost sleep and shed tears over these very questions.
Whether the child is 5 days or 5 years old, we want to provide our babies with an amazing Christmas. Lots and lots of gifts. After all, they deserve it right? Indeed they do. However, not everyone is financially able to splurge and stack gifts higher than the Christmas tree.
Following, I’ve listed what I’ve found (after making Christmas special for 24 years) to be the The 3 Must-Haves Christmas gifts for children of all ages.
3. Give them some of what they want.
All children should have something under the tree to unwrap on Christmas Day. Now this does not mean that you should break the bank, or go in to debt, trying to get them the hottest items of the year. If your child is under the age of 5, you really shouldn’t do this. They only want the wrapping paper anyway.
However, you can make sure that your child has an amazing day by shopping smart.
- Visit the clearance aisles of super stores such as Walmart and Target. They usually mark down or clearance items just because the box is torn. This is a great way to save a few dollars.
- Shopping at the dollar store for the really young babies can really stretch your dollar, while providing many gifts for that special morning.
- For the older children, ask them for the top 3 reasonable items on their wish list. Tell them that you’ll choose one (even if you plan to get them all 3).
- Don’t be embarrassed or afraid to use a lay-a-way plan. It was my best friend for many years.
2. Give them something that they need.
It really is ok to wrap and gift a coat, scarf, hats, gloves, clothes, shoes, pajamas, underwear, diapers, bottles, etc. These are all of the items that your child will need anyway. Why not wrap them and pad the gifts under the tree? Contrary to popular belief, children really do get excited about new clothes and shoes. My children are 24, 21, and 18 and they each got pajamas and socks as one of their gifts from me last Christmas, and they were happy about it.
*Money saving tip: Maximize your dollar. Head over to the clearance section of department stores such as Macy’s or Nordstrom’s (clearance sections can even be found online) or bargain stores like Burlington, Marshall’s, or TJMaxx. You will find great prices on fashionable clothing/shoes without spending high end dollars.
3. Give them you!
I can honestly say that my children DO NOT remember most of what they received any year for Christmas. Most children don’t. They will probably not even play with the toys for long after the New Year. What they will remember is you being there. They’ll remember you helping them to unwrap the gifts or taking the picture of them with the gifts. As they grow older, they’ll remember how hard you worked to provide them with the gifts. So give them you. Please know and believe that your love and presence really is enough!
God Bless!
The Burgeoning Mom Experience 