Keep The Christmas Cheer — Avoid Toy Overload

The Christmas season means decorations, tasty treats, family celebrations, and gift giving….and giving and giving. It seems that every year we lose some of the true meaning of Christmas because of the excess of toys that enter my home. Two years ago, when the season came to a close I found myself yearning for a simpler Christmas, one without so much toy overload. I wanted my children to still receive gifts they want and for us to find joy in giving those wishlist items without overdoing it. During the holidays, It is so easy to shower those we love with gifts; but when January comes around, you often find yourself surrounded by toy overload.

Here are some strategies I have found to keep the Christmas cheer without fear of the toy overload.

The four-gift approach

This approach is all about choosing just four gifts: Something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. This gives kids a variety of gifts without going overboard. It’s practical, affordable, and fun. Best of all it’s easy to shop for, without the risk of impulse buying.

Give an experience

Instead of spending a lot of money on toys that may or may not get played with, give an experience. This might be a membership to a local attraction like a zoo or children’s museum, classes that the child would enjoy (dance, art, music, etc), tickets to a show, movie passes, gift cards, a special night on the town, or even a vacation. Gifts of experiences are sure to create memories that last longer than easily forgotten toys.

Give a gift for the entire family

Family gifts are ones that encourage quality time together. The entire family can enjoy the experience gifts; as well as movies, books, board games, electronics, or a swing set. Individual gifts that go along with the family gift could make it more personal. For example, if the family gift is a new video game system, each child might receive a game of interest to them to go along with it.

Personal gift from the heart

These types of gifts are special because they are so personal. One Christmas my grandma made all of her children and grandchildren a special recipe book that included family recipes that had been passed down for generations. It was a gift that cost little but was priceless to the recipient. Choosing and perhaps making such gifts require more time than money, but will keep giving for many years.

One big gift

For some kids there is one large, costly gift that they have on their list. Perhaps they want it more than anything else. Consider getting each child the one large gift they really want and forgoing all the small extra gifts. This will be a good lesson in the cost of items and help them appreciate the gifts they do receive more.