Every year, I say the same thing: this Christmas, I am not going to buy the kids too many gifts. I am not going to go overboard. I am going to buy them a few things, and that is it. And, of course, every year I go "overboard". ( Of course, "overboard" is a relative term for each person, depending on their budget and subjective standard of what is "enough".) Nevertheless, by my standards, I go a little overboard, and by my husband's, I go a lot overboard :)
I always think my kids are going to LOVE what they get, and I painstakingly take lots of time picking out their gifts. I don't really mind . . . I love to shop! Unfortunately, when the "big day" comes, they are usually excited about a few gifts; the others barely receive an acknowledgement. (Ingrates!) I end up thinking, "I shouldn't have bought that", and some of the gifts go back to the store.
As a grown woman of almost 40, you would think I would learn my lesson. But the truth is, in addition to my love for shopping, I just enjoy giving to my kids. I am sure I come by it honestly, since my mother is the same way. In and of itself, that's a good thing: it is more blessed to give than to receive. Nothing wrong with having joy in that! On the other hand -- I do need to be a good steward of both the money God gives us and of my children's hearts. I don't want them to get so much they are ungrateful. (We definitely tread down that path too often.)
So, I will continue to try to curb my gift-giving. I will continue to clean out old toys, and sell or donate them before buying new ones. I will continue to encourage my children to participate in giving to the less fortunate. And, yes, I will probably have to make a few more return trips to Target before I learn to buy less! But hopefully, I am getting there.
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