Forgetting for a minute that I still can’t believe Easter has come and gone, I’d like to focus on next Easter. Like the day after Valentine’s Day when candy is half price, you would think I’d be happy to see the same thing now. You’d be wrong, sort of. Don’t get me wrong, half price or cheaper chocolate is right up there with my dream job as a mattress tester. The problem is that I am not alone in the holiday spirit. It did originate with me, though. I blame our daughter. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Throughout the year, whenever I’m out I always manage to find things for her regardless of what I’m looking for. Mostly small stuff, books, flip flops, small toy figures, cheap pc games or a necklace or something. The problem is that after six months that stuff piles up.
For me, it piles up to the point of being covered for the next 2 gift giving occasions, easy. Another issue is the fact that I’m shopping for someone with the attention span of a squirrel. I try to keep some things practical but sometimes I end up having to reroute things if they get “stale” by the time I’m ready to give them. We are lucky in that she is an only child and since we are “older” parents we can afford to pick up things as we go. Stashing this stuff does help me save time later because I can “shop at home” when I need a gift.
What I’m having trouble handling is the sugar war and the ridiculous amount of toys we get for 1 kid. We are very lucky that not only can we spoil her but our family spoils her too. I’m concerned that she’s getting a bit numb to it. Easter was like Hallomas! There was a pantload of peeps and other candy and oodles of game creatures among other things. Mommy’s easter bunny went practical, putting snack combo cups, flip flops, aqua shoes, and plastic trading card pages in her basket. I also weakened and did put some sugar in there, too. I succumbed to the jellybeans for a dollar and peeps for 3 for a dollar. I admit I have cheapness issues that are probably genetic.
This was a bad move because we are surrounded by professionals. There were 2 egg hunts which yielded a stupid amount of tootsie rolls and some other candy. Then, mom-mom gave our girl a basket with Polish candy and other goodies. This was followed by a Sunday brunch with 3 more baskets and then another one from our bunny later! Next year, I think our bunny is going to have some hard times and leave a much smaller basket. I would like to think she wouldn’t notice the difference but that little stinker never ceases to surprise me. Easter Monday she had the gaul to ask if she got her treat from her behavior chart for the week! I realize I gave birth to a girl but this kid has a pair!!
Granted, she is still young and does have her generous points, but the concept of “give till it hurts” is way not on this kid’s radar. We can give away duplicates of things with no problem. I guess you have to start somewhere. I’ve introduced the concept of selling things we’re no longer using, too. (See previous article on toys emitting distress signals before a yard sale.) Once again, I’m trying to relate to a seven year old with a grown up brain. Still, I do want her to start appreciating things and not expect too much.
I don’t have any control over what other family members do, especially mom-mom. A friend had a great suggestion though. The next time we get a ridiculous amount of candy I could have our little sugar fiend select some to enjoy now and some to put away for later. Toys, for the most part, still need to disappear by stealth. I still plan to keep trying to keep things down to a dull roar. When we go out and she turns into “Captain Iwant” I usually tell her “We have a small house, I don’t have the room for too much stuff. Can you think of something you’re done with that we could give away or sell? “ Miraculously, I often get a blank stare. God help us if we move.
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