For every occasion, there needs to be the perfect gift. When you have children in your home, birthdays are the biggest deal and Christmas isn’t too far behind that. For both these occasions, gifts are the norm and trying to buy for your child without spoiling them too much can be, well, impossible. As parents, all we want to do is spoil our kids. We want to lavish them with love and smother them in kisses. We want to see their faces when they open up their gifts and know that they are excited, happy and grateful for the things that they receive. The trouble comes when you are trying to plan out what to get them, without going over the top.
You want to spoil the children but not spoil them at the same time. I know, this sounds totally counterproductive but go with me here. You want to be able to let your child know that you heard their wishes for their dream gift, and you want them to feel excited. At the same time, you don’t have the space for thirty things from Toys ‘R’ Us, nor do you have the inclination to overwhelm your kid with a huge pile of gifts. All that will do is show you that they can open presents in a frenzy, but that they’re not necessarily grateful for those gifts. So, how do you overcome wanting to spoil them on their birthday without them becoming spoiled? I’ve got a way. Follow the formula below so that you have happy and satisfied children, as well as a happy wallet on your next occasion.
Something They Want…
Start here. Ask your children to write you a list of things that they would like for their birthday or Christmas. You want eight to ten ideas, and you want them to put stars next to four or five of the things that they REALLY want. This way, if you can’t get something off the starred list, you have back up options. Buy them the something they want.
Something They Need…
This could be anything. If your child is in dire need of a new blanket, then companies like Makaboo can help you find the perfect one and personalize it. You could even go one better and get them their first electric toothbrush!
Something To Wear…
The perfect birthday or Christmas outfit has to be a part of their Christmas present. Most kids don’t like receiving clothes for their birthday, but a sparkly party dress and a pair of butterfly adorned shoes usually revs up enough excitement to forget that it’s clothes!
Something To Read…
Lastly, get them something for their library at home. It could be a box set of books from a favored author or even a selection of pop-up books. You can’t go wrong with reading stories for children, so choose wisely.
This little list gives a pile of gifts for your children from you, without being too much to overwhelm. Practical and yet fun – spoiling the children while gaining a grateful thanks!
