Friday, November 16, 2007

Equality....

I’m having a really hard time with the “Santa” thing right now. I have bought my daughter a ton of stuff for Christmas and have a ton more ideas in my head on what I can still get her, but I’ve got hardly anything for my son. And I’m having an even harder time thinking of things for him. He’s really into 2 things: The Cars movie and all its related memorabilia, and Thomas. So hubby and I have decided we will get him a train table, and a couple Cars…but then we’re stuck. I told my family to get him more trains and tracks, so I think he’s going to get a ton of that stuff.

I want the number of presents to be even, or at least semi-close. The lucky thing for me is that he doesn’t comprehend price or anything, so the other night when I gave my daughter her new Baby Alive doll (out of guilt because I actually told her she could give her a bath and now she doesn’t work anymore), we knew we had to give my son something…so we gave him a Cars car. So my daughter gets a $50 item and my son gets the $3 item. And he had no idea…that car was the best thing in the world.

So I have to figure out more things to get him. I think I’m going to search ebay for maybe some discontinued Thomas stuff. He’s 2, and I don’t even know how he’ll be at Christmas…I know last year we were still opening his presents 4 days after Christmas! But I want to be prepared just in case he wants to open as many as Sissy does.

12 comments:

Amy W said...

Omigosh, I was going to write about the same thing! I have a list a mile long for Ashley, but Audrey? No ideas.

Anonymous said...

Tough one. I wouldn't know what to do, either. It's hard when they're this small. Godd luck :)

Jill said...

well you could always make the amount even for both of them if your budget allows for it and put money aside for either something he'll need a big boy bed? something like that that he'll get and she won't.. i dont know. you could also just put dad on the spot and have dad help out. i have an idea that its easier for you with her because you're a girl. duh. or you could plan a special trip for him to go to a car show with dad or mom or both while girl gets to stay with grandma. something like that. or you could just stop where you are with stuff for her, equal it out with things daddy like when he was a kid, and buy some items you'd like for her but donate them to charity? or save them for a birthday? or update some items that they might share but make them "his" or make over his room with a special drop down surface (think fold down or fold up workbench) for him to race cars on. or create a special place in the house just for him if you dont want to fabricate his room.

Jill said...

oh how about a TRAIN ride on Christmas day and you have time with girl and go pick dad and boy up at the station in the next town?

Christy said...

I remember growing up how much energy my parents put into make sure things were even between the three of us. There was Christmas eve's that my Dad would be running out to the convience store in desperate search of some small trinket because one of us had one less present.

I don't have any suggestions for your son, as I never know what to get little boys. I have no problem shopping for my daughter, I just get everything I want for myself :)

ChrisB said...

Have you thought about adding things like Thomas socks, underwear, flannel, bath sponges, (cars/ thomas)bathtoys, pencils crayons, there are so many small things that would make up the actual number of gifts of his favourite things. My grandsons loved Thomas and they loved all the videos (I guess it would be DVD nowadays) of the stories and the books. Oh what about duvet cover etc! You'll probably think these are rubbish ideas but I'm just remembering what we used to do.

Sherry said...

Oh geeze I hear you loud and clear as far as equality goes. I am so like that and it drives my husband nuts!! I have always made sure the same amt of gifts were under the tree for each child. It's hard to do sometimes but you know all the struggling, shopping, searching etc all works out. That's why I love Christmas Eve, it's all done under the tree and I can go awwwwwwwwww I managed to do it another year. Trust me come Christmas Eve you will feel the same way, you can pull it off, I know you can!!!

Julie said...

I'm in the exact same boat you are. I can think of 100 things to buy Abby but for Emily, also 2, it's really hard. And I find myself picking up thinkgs in the store just to pick something up. Some of the things Abby is getting (ex. Webkinz) Emily is getting one also - she won't use it on the computer but she likes stuffed animals so it's sort of even. I think ChrisB has some good ideas though - Cars bubblebath, a Cars plate to eat off of - things like that that are practical/useful but yet he'll really enjoy.

Jill said...

My son will be 2 next month and he's really into school buses and fire trucks...that's what's on our list for him this year. Does he already have a little tricycle or something like that to ride on? Or, how about a wagon? I know it's so hard to keep things even. At least at this age, you're so right, he doesn't know monetary value. It's all about the fun, mama!

Rachel (Crazy-Is) said...

Gah, I'm stuck on what to buy any of mine!! I mean, I know a few things, but, really, I am dreading shopping on Saturday.

Please excuse me as I wander aimlessly through the toy ailse at Target mumbling to myself.

Anonymous said...

Too bad they won't always not care about the price! The Babito loves all the Cars stuff and trains too! Have you seen the soft Cars cars that talk when you drop or throw them. They're really funny. I play with them as much as he does!

Jill said...

i think chrisb has a good idea also, i (prolly mistakenly) assumed you had already gone "that far" with the cars stuff so i didnt put it down. way to go chrisb!