By: Jaymie Leighton Muller
Title: Leave It to Cleaver
Series: Vintage Kitchen Mysteries
Publisher: Beyond the Page Publishing
My website: Victoria Hamilton Mysteries
Facebook: Author Victoria Hamilton
Twitter: @MysteryVictoria
This is new, this feeling; I'm shopping for Christmas for a little girl - Jocie, my step daughter - and it's all so new to me, joyful and yet terrifying. I'm not quite sure I know how to handle it. My older sister, Becca, never had children so I didn't even have nieces and nephews to practice on.
So... do I spoil her rotten like I want to? Everything she sees and likes
But Jocie wants a Finger Baby Monkey that's twenty dollars. Twenty dollars for a glorified finger puppet! But she reeeeally wants it! It's hard to resist that adorable face and pleading eyes; Jakob is leaving it up to me this year. He tells me she'll be just fine if she doesn't get it, and I want to believe him. I could be sneaky and farm that gift out to my mom and dad, who are completely in love with Jocie and would be happy to buy it for her, but then I run the risk of my folks getting her the gift she loves the best this Christmas.
I recently came across a gift giving philosophy for children that I really like. It's a rhyme, and goes like this: "Something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read." I love that idea, and Jakob is on board.
So, World Wide Web folk... what do you think? Give kids exactly what they want, or try to choose what you believe is best for them? I'll admit I'm confused.
~::~
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I am not sure but how about some nice mugs! I love mugs
ReplyDebby debby236 at gmail dot com
I really like the "Something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read." idea.
ReplyIf the gift Jocie wants is a little too expensive and Jaymie's parents could get it, who cares about who gave it to her. It's not really in keeping with the spirit of Christmas to compete over who gives the best gift.
harbingerdc(at)gmail(dot)com
I collect toys and books for the children who have very little, anything I get I will give [email protected]
ReplyThis year and every year here’s my gift giving theory! It works for every one. I get one thing they need, one thing they want, and a specified amount of money, however, they must use half of the money given for someone else. So if it,s $100, they must spend $50 on someone else. Last year, she spent $50 on lotions and toothpaste for the nursing home patients. One year it was socks for the troops, there is always an element of giving to those who need it.
ReplyLove your gift philosophy. I’ve always said give a gift for the mind and for the body ( body and soul). So a good book a cool mug with a favorite holiday beverage
Reply[email protected]
I like the 4 gifts of Christmas idea. It was a big hit on Facebook the last few years. Christmas spirit has gotten away from us. A lot of people I know followed it because Christmas has gotten out of control. Jocie presents would follow under that gift giving rule. Give from your heart not your wallet. [email protected]
ReplyHappy Thanksgiving. Thank you for this chance! One Christmas I bought a gift for my friend's son that she told me he wanted and would love. Suffice it to say, he was very disappointed and so was I. I think if they want something that is reasonable, I get it for them. I also give books because books are wonderful! areewekidding(at)yahoo.com
ReplyI try to give my kids a little of what they want, with in reason. I usually get them 4 gifts each, plus a pair of pjs each. Christmas has become all about money and sometimes it makes me very sad but I know my kids enjoy their gifts and that makes me happy.
Replymoonbay7399(at)gmail(dot)com
Normally I leave the gift that my child really really wants to come from Santa. Then I will get a few small things that was wanted. The rest Ian always wearable or readable.
ReplyI don’t have children so it’s sometimes hard to know exactly what to get. I try to buy something that the child wants. cking78503 (at) aol (dot) com
ReplyI very rarely buy toys for my kids so at christmas i do buy that one crazy gift they desperately want . If i can find coupons or kohls cash lol. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas !!!
Replydrwgsmom(at)yahoo(dot) com
At Christmas I'd give what they want as Santa never disappoints. mlarkin(at)rmrgroup(dot)com
ReplyI experienced that same delimma as a step-mom, and I really don't think there is a wrong decision. If she wants it, and it makes you happy to get it for her, then follow your heart.
ReplyGloria. browninggloria (at) hotmail(dot) com
The "Something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read." is a good one. You give them what they want too often you are going to end up with little respect, out of control little brats and no end of troubles. Being sensible is not always easy. but it is the right thing to do. Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc (dot) com
ReplyThe poem is something I always tried to remember when my girls were growing up. So, getting the puppet would be fine!
Reply[email protected]
I have 2 Grandsons. I always buy them something to read because whenever I stay at there house they always want me to read to them. I shop all year round so as I see something they like I will buy it. Thanks for your great generosity. [email protected]
ReplyWhat do we do? We're grandma's. So we ask the parents' what we are allowed to buy or what is on the list of approved gifts. Of course when grandson #2 was young and the father had been our Royal Pain as a child, we got even. We bought loud toys and tool sets. I was stopped from buying him a beginner drum kit (I played drums in high school and later in a club).
ReplySo if you're stuck just ask around from friends with kids and maybe they'l learn ya somethin'
I buy suitable gifts for my 4 grandchildren, books and educational toys which are unique and enjoyable. I buy all year round for the little ones. Anne. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyMy daughter want a Christmas mug every year, so I have to say mugs
ReplyPenney
penneyw(at)sbcglobal.net
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyWe try to go along with the "something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read" idea. I think part of the magic of Christmas is getting something you want and so excited to see if you get it. We also like to give board games that the entire family can enjoy. Debbie(dot)Erickson14 (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyBuy what you can afford it is the thought that counts!!! I think a nice outfit and a book would be just right!!!
ReplyChristina
[email protected]
Wonderful post which is wise and thoughtful. Always books, clothes for the season and games that tease the brain. Ellie. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyI don't know much about gifts for children. Others have good ideas. I would try to give something she wants which also shows meaning of the holiday and concern for others. [email protected] thanks
ReplyI like the something for me idea. I always give gifts that are useful, wanted, but not a ridiculous waste of money. Sometimes I stress out with all the thought that goes into the process. Happy Holidays! minishoes(at)msn(dot)com
ReplyIf the puppet is something she wants for a long time - I'd say it could be her "something she wants" :) after all - you can spend less on a toy she MIGHT like or might not, nothing wrong with getting ONE thing she really really wants :) fun post!
ReplyWonderful giveaway! :D em.milka(at)hotmail.com
I think you should get her the monkey. She'll enjoy it! And some books. lkleback at hotmail.com
ReplyOnce the kids get to school age we start giving them either gift cards or cash so they can start learning to manage money. None of them has ever complained about having money to spend.
Replysgiden at verizon(.)net
As long as what the child wants isn't prohibitively expensive or totally age in appropriate, I say get it for them.
Reply[email protected]
a journal is always welcome depending on age. a nice bracelet.
ReplyRobyn L yourstrulee(at)SaskTel(dot)net.
Actually, I'd kinda like a finger baby monkey myself! bobwiesmann (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyI'm 83 and my mom started in January suggesting what I wanted so she could get a doll on sale and the sew for it all year. My DIL knows what her 3 boys need and want and I do the special things.I think every child should get one thing they really want.Glad Jakob is on board with the four things idea. RUTH NIXON [email protected] .
ReplyThanks for chance! What a wonderful joy Jocie will bring into your life������. My thoughts are this, if what she wants will encourage imagination to play in some way, I say get that toy. The finger baby monkey will do that. Books are great if you read with them at this age. You can never go wrong with gifts. Christmas is magical so we always felt like the presents should also reflect that. Like a magazine subscription for her age group that she gets once a month all year long. Something special like a fun top or shoes (something useful) something she needs ( Christmas pajamas). Have fun Jaymie����
ReplyMy thought be be to buy Jocie maybe one something she really wants and maybe something special to wear maybe in her favorite color or with her favorite character on it. Then I'd suggest maybe a little baking set or maybe even just some fun cookie cutters that would be all hers with a promise to do some baking together. That way you both win - she gets a special gift from you and you get the gift of spending quality time with a very special little one making it a family tradition. :)
ReplyKay at 2clowns at arkansas dot net
I like your rhyme. My kids always knew I would probably say yes to any book.
ReplyIt's so hard to resist their pleading eyes. It's up to the adults to impose some sense. But what fun is that?!
libbydodd at comcast dot net
Buy her the monkey for sure! I always got what my kids wanted even on black Friday! She should get what she really wants. Donamae [email protected]
ReplyWe always tried to get something they really wanted. Also love the idea that the puppet will encourage imagination. Enjoy the season and follow your [email protected]
ReplyI get a list of things my niece wants and choose what I can afford, so that’s what I say do choose what can be afforded. Alisha
Reply[email protected]
In my family it was clothes and books but what I always wanted was books. And likely something stuffed. And a small something you could eat usually chocolate. I never remember being really disappointed when I did not get something. And if I wanted something like a puppet I would get it or a hand made one. Mom and Dad wanted me to make my own entertainment I say hand made because either it would be to expensive or poorly made.
ReplyI have one child - a daughter - and she's amazing, giving and loving all year long. She's pretty spoiled when it comes to things but we believe birthdays and Christmas are special times. I'd get her the finger puppet. If you stick the philosophy, it's her one want thing. :)
Reply-Amanda- [email protected]
I was going to suggest that gift rhyme! I like getting kids what they want most, though, in general.
ReplyForgot email--it's [email protected]. Thanks!
ReplyI see no reason not to get a kid something they really want even if it's weird and impractical for Christmas. As long as they are not spoiled rotten the rest of the year.
ReplyI basically did the rhyme thing for my kids, but I had no money so no choice. I would get some little things too. I used to wrap everything to look like more. A toothbrush in the stocking, individual matchbox cars, things like that. I did NOT wrap individual crayons as my kids joke sometimes. ��
[email protected]
I forgot to say, the big gift was from Santa. Santa tries to get what you REALLY want. Sometimes he can't, but he tries. 😉