Writer’s Workshop: Express to the Bin
Presents © by alliec". reative
Last year this time I blogged about The Worst Christmas Present and how I didn’t let it affect the kids and me. This year I am stepping up a notch in regards to accepting “garbage” or unwanted presents. I’m making it known to friends and relatives that it is not necessary for me or the kids to receive presents this Christmas. The boys have mastered the art of telling exactly what they would like to receive as presents. ( In fact they have been asking for specific gifts all year round!!)
I’ve explain to the boys that it’s fine not to accept gifts which they don’t want as I don’t want to clutter their room with junk. They just need to politely decline taking the present. If they are forced to accept it it is okay to throw away or donate it to charity if they really don’t use/need it.
I’m being very firm this year about receiving presents from “that relative” that I mentioned last year. Just to let you know she gave “Recycled” party sweets from a kids party goodie bag as presents for the kids last year. I was secretly delighted when Monkey boy voiced out to her that they were ” lousy sweets” and he didn’t like that and that “Mummy buys for us much better treats.” I too voiced out that I don’t want my kids eating those sweets and thanked her for her thinking about the boys but the gift is not appropriate.
This week I mentioned the Top 10 Wishes I have for Christmas in 2011 and that many of my Christmas wishes have already come true. The boys too have had their Christmas present arrive early with their Angry bird toy sets and the holiday trip to Nusa Dua, Bali Indonesia.
How is the festive season shaping up for you?
December 8, 2011 @ 9:13 am
Sad that this time of year sometimes brings out the Evil in some people….
December 8, 2011 @ 11:13 am
Hi Dominique! This is my first time to visit your blog through Alphabe-Thursday. I have thought a good deal about gifts this year as well. Mostly because there is not much that we need. I regret for people to spend money unnecessarily or uselessly. But I want the boys to appreciate when people are genuinely communicating they care in this way as well. Our season hasn’t started shaping up so much; as we currently have a naked Christmas tree in our living room. But our second son has a Christmas chorus concert tomorrow night; so I think that will get the family in the mood.
December 8, 2011 @ 11:13 am
I have always tried to find really appropriate gifts to give to people at Christmas. I would never pawn some cheap gift on someone just to save money. People should always put a little bit of thought into giving, and if they can’t, then just send a card.
December 8, 2011 @ 11:13 am
My son has figured out gift asking too.
December 8, 2011 @ 12:09 pm
We don’t get gifts from anyone for our children so I always know what to get them with our budget. I think it’s good to speak up instead of accepting waste or just something you do not want or wont use.
As for me, I’ll make the season festive for my kids, but it seems I’m falling into some sort of depression.
I hope it’s just passing.
December 9, 2011 @ 6:51 am
@Jamerican Spice,
I hope your will feel better as we get closer to Christmas. I feel that being honest is a great quality for kids. Just that it may seem blunt at times.
December 8, 2011 @ 11:52 pm
Hm. Not sure I agree 100% on not accepting the gifts; though I do get where you’re coming from. It’s aggravating, sure, but I guess I’d just take them and give them to Goodwill or the trash. I do think, though, that I’d have a talk w/the recycling family member. Some people just don’t get it, you know? Do you think this person was giving the crappy gifts out of animosity or just one of those “he’s 3, he won’t care” things? I want my kids to be respectful and just learn that not everyone’s gift giving awareness or ability is on the same level as ours. I kind of don’t like the idea of telling an adult outright they just gave lousy candy. BUT. I admire their ability to do so (since it WAS louasy. It’s contradictory, I know; I guess I’m really just on the fence about it). And Indonesia, wow. Have a fantastic time. I’d love to travel abroad w/my kids eventually.
December 9, 2011 @ 6:57 am
@Arnebya,
The person giving the crappy gift can be categorized as “scrooge” who wants to be seen as generous..I understand your feeling of contradiction.
December 8, 2011 @ 11:57 pm
Having specific wish lists sometimes is a turn-off. It makes you think that they are just giving you a laundry list of the things they want and it discourages creative gift giving. Of course, giving gifts that are inappropriate or without thought is just as bad.
Here’s hoping that you get the gifts you desire as well as the unexpected ones.
December 9, 2011 @ 12:29 am
Such an apt post – and great blog!
December 9, 2011 @ 12:51 am
Before rejecting anyone’s gift, I always like to consider the giver and their intent. If it’s just plain I’m-being-lazy-and-am-regifting-cuz-I-don’t-care-enough-to-actually-give-something-meaningful then I have no qualms tossing it. But, on the other hand, if it’s a sincere gesture, whether I want/like it or not, I try to be gracious as a recipient.
December 9, 2011 @ 1:28 am
Yep, I don’t understand ‘regifting’ when they’re crappy items. Fair enough if it’s something nice, and appropriate for the recipient, but otherwise? Just silly. One of the positives of living overseas (as we do) is that my kids don’t really have to deal with this problem from relatives. Yay!
December 9, 2011 @ 1:36 am
I guess it would depend on where the gift is coming from. If it’s someone you know is just cheap, lazy, etc then I’d be vocal and say “don’t bother” But if it is someone who really doesn’t know any better or can’t afford much I’d just donate whatever it is quietly.
Hope your Christmas is filled with magic and fun this year. Thanks for visiting my blog
December 11, 2011 @ 10:31 am
Hello.
A little thought does indeed go a long way.
Sometimes, it’s easier to stay in the neutral zone & just give gift cards.
Thanks for sharing.
For ref:
Eleven Roses And You
December 11, 2011 @ 4:00 pm
I’m teaching my daughter to be gracious when accepting a gift no matter what the gift. Sometimes people do give really tacky things, but it’s polite to accept it. Later, it goes in the trash or to charity if it’s something we don’t want.
Some people are unbelievably cheap.
December 20, 2011 @ 2:46 am
This is always such a difficult subject for me! I always try to be gracious and then donate them elsewhere.
Sometimes it’s really hard to know how to handle this, though.
Thanks for a thoughtful link to the letter “E”.
A+