comforter xmas
Not buying kids xmas & bday presents anymore?

Ok, I have decided that my kids have WAYY too much stuff, and dont appreciate most of it anyway. (They are 4, 5 & 7). So, I decided that for their bdays I would take them out for a "special day" with just me, for lunch & to do something that want to do (movie, bowling, whatever). I call it giving them a memory rather than a present. And for xmas I decided I am only going to buy things that they want for like decorating their rooms (comforter sets, wall decor) but no toys. Some people in my family say that I am wrong to not buy them toys, but I figure they will get enough of that stuff from grandparents anyway. I would rather give them a memory that will last a lifetime than a toy that will be broken in a week. Any thoughts? Am I wrong?

I'm the oldest of six girls, and our parents gave us toys some years and parties other years. They gave us a party every second year (when younger, after 12 it was only milestone years) - but what my mother does now is give 1-2 toys or 'want' items (so for older ones, CD players etc) and then the rest are 'need' items - a new bathing suit, a pair of shoes, etc. Now we're older it's stuff like clothing vouchers etc. But because we had so many girls, our toys never went to waste - there were five girls afterwards to make use of everything. I think experiences are great for older kids, but maybe for the younger one, go for educational toys - that way he still has fun and learns at the same time. But otherwise, a great idea - and the kids will probably love decorating their rooms!

Christmas Comforter Part 1-12/07/08 Todd Martin Smithville Mennonite Church Sermon