My wife is all "shock and awe" for Christmas and birthdays. I'm about presents being meaningful and within budget. When the kids were little, it worked: a Thomas set meant a giant table and a dozen separately wrapped trains.
Now, a teen, my son wants a video game, which is downloadable content, so exists in no space and runs $60. Our Christmas budget wouldn't fill his stocking if he made the list. I've supplimented with my wife making "coupons" for such content and gift cards, while I've bought t-shirts for the game and other related items (often, food). Plus, socks.
Then, my wife and I talk about only getting gifts and Chrismas and our birthday, and then only one major gift. And our clothing for the next six months. We do this while my son waits out the download and we refill our drinks.
Yes absolutely. I have a very similar relationship with holidays and the pressure of creating memorable moments for the kids, showering them with stuff that I did not have. Plus a layer of - why aren’t they more appreciative?! Maybe next year they should get nothing so they have a reference point 🙇🏻♀️
My wife is all "shock and awe" for Christmas and birthdays. I'm about presents being meaningful and within budget. When the kids were little, it worked: a Thomas set meant a giant table and a dozen separately wrapped trains.
Now, a teen, my son wants a video game, which is downloadable content, so exists in no space and runs $60. Our Christmas budget wouldn't fill his stocking if he made the list. I've supplimented with my wife making "coupons" for such content and gift cards, while I've bought t-shirts for the game and other related items (often, food). Plus, socks.
Then, my wife and I talk about only getting gifts and Chrismas and our birthday, and then only one major gift. And our clothing for the next six months. We do this while my son waits out the download and we refill our drinks.
Yes absolutely. I have a very similar relationship with holidays and the pressure of creating memorable moments for the kids, showering them with stuff that I did not have. Plus a layer of - why aren’t they more appreciative?! Maybe next year they should get nothing so they have a reference point 🙇🏻♀️