Monday, December 22, 2008

Maybe it's just me

But Jeff and I are keeping Christmas to a minimum this year.

I just find kids these days get sooo much stuff. Too much stuff if you ask me. And Carson is only two! He doesn't even know what the heck presents are. I've seen kids just rip through presents under the tree without appreciating or realizing what they have got. Maybe it's cause we grew up with not alot of money and I can remember savouring each and everything that I opened up. Each gift was special and I was thrilled with whatever it was. I want Carson to grow up that way, to grow up appreciating what he has. And doesn't just expect to get whatever it is he wants. Maybe I'm just expecting too much....

I think I spent $16 on him. And that's it. Two books, a school bus and a puzzle.

I go to people's houses who have little kids and there are scads and scads of toys, plastic (oh the plastic!) scattered around the whole house, and the kids probably play with like 10% of it. This year for Carson's birthday we actually did a recycled theme and asked everyone to bring Carson a toy that their child doesn't play with anymore.

I'm not in any way shape or form a treehugger or hippie, but I'm having serious issues with walking into toystores (read: Toys R Us) and seeing the towers of plastic toys being sold out faster then they can stock them. And then you see these plastic toys in a couple of years sitting on teh curbside waiting to be picked up by the garbage truck. And where does it all end up? In landfills! Ack! I figure if we can do our part, then I'll be able to sleep just a little bit better at night.

3 comments:

Anne said...

I think what you're doing is great.
I know people that spend hundreds and what do the kids play with?..one or two today and the boxes that they came in.

Marc-Andre and I don't even exchange gifts. I don't like buying just to buy.

Anonymous said...

Im with you, Sister.

MinimumMinimum here as well and we're donating what we would have spent.
we have so much when so many have so little.

Christy said...

Anne - Jeff and I aren't exchanging any presents this year either!

MizFit - it's so true. Next year I'm hoping to concentrate on donating a little more. At least after Christmas we are doing a toy purge and giving it to those in need!