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I realized two years ago that I had never given my own children that same opportunity for a sense of pride and giving come Christmas morning. I knew that I had to remedy that situation. However, the thought of taking them into a store and asking them to pick out things frightened me. So, I took a cue from my memory of Christmas shopping at school and carried on with my idea.
The Plan
Then, I invited each of our boys (then aged eight and six) to shop without each other. For instance, when Noah came to shop, I had one area of gifts to choose from for Jack and one area of gifts to choose from for Molly. I allowed Noah shop for one gift for each of them, and we worked on wrapping the gifts together. Then, I put away the gifts that were possible for Jack, and I put out the ones for Noah. I invited Jack up and let him shop and wrap. The boys used money from their own allowances to shop.
Last year, we were excited to allow Molly to shop as well. Since she was only just barely three when we began this new tradition, we envisioned her trying to keep all of the toys for the boys for herself and throwing a fit. Because we didn’t allow her to shop, I just picked out an item from her for each of the boys from the leftover toys.
One of the things that I really like with this method of shopping is that I can pre-select things that I think are appropriate, and my kids don’t have to be overwhelmed with deciding from a whole store of toys.
I had thought to just return the extras to Walmart for a refund. But, then I realized, “Hey — why not just keep the leftovers to fill their stockings?” (My kids didn’t remember that they are the same.)
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Kristia@Family Balance Sheet says
This is a cute idea. I can just imagine the pride in their faces on Christmas morning.
My elementary school did the same thing some 30 years ago. Woolsworth would bring merchandise into the school for the kids to buy presents for their family. I forgot all about that until I read your post.
Lyn says
I did this last year based off of your post and the kids are already asking me when they can do it again this year. 🙂 Last year my 4 year old did great – so little kids can do it too. But my 10 year old was the one really on my case about setting it up again. She loved it. The wonderful part was Christmas morning – they were so excited to see others unwrap their gifts.
Angie says
@Lyn,
I’m so glad that your 10 year old really took to it so much! My kids love to watch other siblings reactions to the gifts too. They get so excited to both give and to receive.
Karen says
What a great idea! A local department store use to do this when I was a kid and I loved it! Karen
Sippy Cup Central
Janelle says
Love this!! I take mine out shopping – and with 4 it is always hectic planning it and so on. I too remember the Christmas Shop at school – and I just love this idea!!
Thanks for sharing and simplify our Christmas just a little this year!!
Jenny says
Great idea! I took Abby out today and she helped me buy for her cousins. She was very good at picking things out they would like!
Jessica Snell says
I love this idea; thank you!
Kerri B. says
I love this idea!! I remember either shopping at some sort of school store when I was in elementary school years and years ago or going shopping with one of our parents or another relative to shop for our parents and siblings. But I totally love this idea and the control you can have over it without it being overwhelming for the kids. Ii don’t have kids yet, but I’m storing this idea back in my brain for future use. Thanks!!
Tiff says
It’s a great idea–in the past I have taken my own kids to the local dollar store and let them each purchase gifts for family members. It started with my oldest who was an only for nearly 7 years and we would buy for Grandparents, great-grands, cousins, uncles, etc. After our other 2 blessings eventually joined us (God’s timing not ours), we continued the tradition but have slowly curtailed the extended family list.