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Daniel Donahoo: The Evolution of Parent-School Engagement
Preparing Kids For A Smaller Christmas
Filed under: Work Life, Holidays
It's official -- the U.S. economy is in a recession. So what does that mean for Santa's sack? For many of us, it will be much smaller this year. If you're like me and you tend to go overboard at the holidays, but you're cutting back this year, experts say you might want to prepare your kids for less loot under the tree.
Teens are readily able to grasp the concept of budgeting, but what about the little ones?
One Big Family: Try explaining the concept by saying that our country is one big family, and everyone needs to spend a little less, even Santa. Be honest and brief; don't overload the little ones with lots of heavy grown-up concepts.
Make A List: Kids should still be encouraged to make a list, and don't limit them. Allow them to include everything they desire, even the extravagant stuff. As the holiday gets closer, ask them to revisit the list and choose a few items that are really important to them. Ask them to explain to you just why those items are so crucial.
Tell The Truth: Don't set them up for disappointment. Be honest if there is a big-ticket item that won't be under the tree.
Shop Together: When purchasing gifts for others, bring the kids with you. It can be a subtle way to teach about budgeting, and also helps show them that giving is just as fun as getting.
Deal With Tantrums: If your child is still unprepared and wakes up to disappointment on Christmas morning, he or she just might have a melt-down. After all, the holidays are all about build-up, and those TV advertisements can get under their skin. Lovingly but firmly deal with it as you would any other melt-down.
My kids would be happy if I wrapped an empty box and put it under the tree, so the giving is really about me. However, I know that in the long run, it is a greater gift to exercise fiscal restraint in these uncertain times.
How about you? Are you reducing your spending?
Teens are readily able to grasp the concept of budgeting, but what about the little ones?
Holiday 2008 Gift Guide: Under $20
Magic Bean
Even the youngest child can appreciate the thrill of seeing something grow from a mere seed. What makes this seed so special is the secret message it reveals as it grows. Just add water and in about two weeks, the words "I Love You" or "Good Luck" will appear on this Jack Bean stalk. $11.95 at Wrapables .
Ages 5+
Wrapables.com
Bananagrams
A gift the whole family can enjoy, Banagrams is a word game that can be played simultaneously by spellers of all levels. 144 letters in a bright yellow pouch provide take-along fun while helping to build vocabulary and improve spelling skills. So much fun, the kids might not even notice they are learning. $15.00 at Creative Kids Stuff
Ages 7+
CreativeKidsStuff.com
Paint Your Own Tea Set
Playing tea party is fun, but playing with a tea set you made yourself is even better. This one comes complete with 17 pieces of white porcelain just waiting to be adorned with the brightly colored non-toxic paint. Let it set for a few days or bake it in the oven and the art becomes permanent. $12.95 at Amazon.com
Ages 8+
Amazon.com
3-D Drawing Pad
Stereographic background paper lets little doodlers create their own 3-D images. Simply draw on the pad, don the groovy glasses and you have instant 3 dimensional awesomeness. At just $7.99 for a pad of 50 sheets, you can buy two and keep one for yourself at Perpetual Kid.
Ages 3+
PerpetualKid.com
Antworks
This is not your father's ant farm. Sand has been replaced with gel and the results are groovy 3-D ant tunnels. Even better? The ants get their food and water from the gel, so they are practically care-free. The habitat kit comes with instructions and a magnifying glass for up-close viewing. Ants not included. $19.49 at Discover This.
Ages 6+
DiscoverThis.com
Bubble Gum Factory
What kid doesn't like bubble gum? Make them work for it with this Bubble Gum Factory kit. Kit includes everything needed to make flavored, color-changing and even gooey center-filled gum. From the Discovery Channel Store at Amazon.com for $16.96.
Ages 8+
Amazon.com
Cadaco's Spectacular Magic Show Set
Now you see it, now you don't! Clever kids can amaze their friends and family by making playing cards vanish, pouring paint from an empty can and more. Includes everything needed to perform 100 different magic tricks, including an instructional DVD. $19.99 at Target.
Ages 7+
MagicTrickZone.com
Pizza Party Play Food
Get little chefs cooking with a pizza party. This all-wood set comes complete with six slices of pizza on a tray, a cutter, a spatula and over 50 toppings to mix and match. Packaged in a wooden box with a see-through lid, it sells for $15.96 at Gummy Lump.
Ages 3+
GummyLump.com
Zoob Construction Set
Most building sets allow kids to build stuff and that's about it. With Zoob, they can actually play with their creations. The pieces snap together to form joints that rotate, extend, spin and more. Get their creative juices flowing with 55-piece collection of Zoob pieces for only $11.99 at Stuff Kids Like.
Ages 6+
StuffKidsLike.com
Pirates of the Tub
Make bath time a lot more fun with this cool pirate set. Includes foam pieces that stick to the walls, island-building pieces and three pirate squirters. Set contains 38 phthalate-free pieces and a suction-cup mesh bag for drying. Ahoy! $18.95 at Growing Tree Toys.
Ages 3+
GrowingTreeToys.com
One Big Family: Try explaining the concept by saying that our country is one big family, and everyone needs to spend a little less, even Santa. Be honest and brief; don't overload the little ones with lots of heavy grown-up concepts.
Make A List: Kids should still be encouraged to make a list, and don't limit them. Allow them to include everything they desire, even the extravagant stuff. As the holiday gets closer, ask them to revisit the list and choose a few items that are really important to them. Ask them to explain to you just why those items are so crucial.
Tell The Truth: Don't set them up for disappointment. Be honest if there is a big-ticket item that won't be under the tree.
Shop Together: When purchasing gifts for others, bring the kids with you. It can be a subtle way to teach about budgeting, and also helps show them that giving is just as fun as getting.
Deal With Tantrums: If your child is still unprepared and wakes up to disappointment on Christmas morning, he or she just might have a melt-down. After all, the holidays are all about build-up, and those TV advertisements can get under their skin. Lovingly but firmly deal with it as you would any other melt-down.
My kids would be happy if I wrapped an empty box and put it under the tree, so the giving is really about me. However, I know that in the long run, it is a greater gift to exercise fiscal restraint in these uncertain times.
How about you? Are you reducing your spending?
| No, I'm busting out the credit cards | |
|---|---|
| Yes, it's a lump of coal for everyone | |
| I'll be spending less, but will still be generous |
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
12-05-2008 @ 10:38AM
Pavlina said...What about the "No, I am not cutting back because I always spend within a sane budget and will do so again this year" option?
Reply
12-05-2008 @ 11:08AM
ninainindia said...Exactly! I was just going to ask for the option that says "No, I've never spend money I don't have".
Also why do you need to tell your child she might not get everything on the list this year? Do they normally get everything that they put on their list? No! So for them they don't even have to notice.
12-05-2008 @ 1:18PM
penny said...Exactly, We use only cash for Christmas! I would love to give my kids a million dollar Christmas, but its not worth. You have to pay for it at sometime and I don't want the New Years stress, so it's cash all the way for us!
Reply
1-09-2011 @ 8:39AM
jane di gennaro said...for over a year now every thing bad has happen to my family my daughter cant get a job for nothing so its been real bad now xmas is here and im 72 and live in a nice little house that my daughter owns the bank wanted to forclose on my home cause my daughter is behind in a loan payment so im helping her by giving her my checks to cover the loan cause i have no where to go and have 2 dogs and wont give them up pluse im haddiecap we were never rich but allways had a nice xmas for the kids this is the frist year that i cant afford to buy any thing atall and my grandson is only 15 and gave his birthday money to his mom to help out he said he doesent care about gifts as long as where all togeather whitch makes me feel even worse my daughter was blessed with 3 good kids that work hard and try to help no matter how old you are every one likes to get gifts im happy just to see my grandkids face when they open up there gifts being 72 i dont no if ill have another xmass so this is realy a bad time this year ill spend xmas alone i cant pretend to be happy when my heart hurts to see i have nothing for my gkids what im trying to say in my own way is your never to old to get gifts its from people who care about you and you get a special feeling when receiving it
Reply