I was going to post about how we deal with gift giving and receiving in our house after L's birthday and just discovered this timely post on the subject over at The Magic Onions.
For L's birthday we made all of L's gifts. My husband made her the marimba and a wood doll bed and my mom knitted clothes for her doll. A close friend made a quilt and pillow for the doll bed.
Over the last few years I've been able to train all of our family members on what appropriate gifts are and usually can recommend gifts for close family. A good option I find is getting them to pay for a class that L would like to take like swimming or dancing.
We invited L's whole Montessori preschool class to her birthday party so there were a lot of people. We put on the invitations to please bring a donation for the foodbank instead of a gift. This took away the pressure on us but also on the guests.
Look at all of the donations we received!! L and I gathered them up and took them to the foodbank after her birthday. We got a tour of the foodbank, learned about how it all works and got a list of items they are always short of for next time.
I think this was the perfect time to start this tradition while she is still young enough to not question it and we'll carry it on now for every birthday. L got more than enough gifts from her family and it's a great for her to learn about giving and sharing. I also think we'll put together a small donation for every birthday in our house.
Luckily for me I love to do crafty things so I always have something homemade for gifts that we give. Whenever it's one of L's friends I try to involve her in the making of the gift such as a necklace or card.
With Christmas looming and L's birthday over I need to get myself organized to start making all of the Christmas gifts.
What do you do about gifts for your littles for Christmas and Birthdays?
7 comments:
I love your donations to the food bank in lieu of gifts idea! It solves so many "problems" and teaches some very valuable lessons. Thanks!
I usually try not to pull out my hair at the amount of batteries required and the soon-ignored gift disappears into the attic and eventually ends up being given away... Have been failing for years now at convincing people they really don't need 90% off the stuff they get given... I think it's more common in the US to be more conscientious about such things.
Gifts given are usually favourite books, good quality open-ended toys and/or hand made. and always something I know the recipient will love.
Thanks for the inspiration! I loved this post and the previous one about the marimba soooo much that I placed the links to them on my most recent post. Thank you for showing us that with a little dedication and lots of love, it IS possible to create awareness and inspire positive gift-giving choices!
My daughter had a birthday in September and was overloaded on gifts. I love the idea of having family make the gifts. For Christmas I have talked to my daughter about giving to those in need. It will be fun to let her go shopping and pick out something she loves for another child who is less fortunate.
Oh this is just wonderful - you are so good to be teaching L that giving is better than receiving!
Happy birthday to your sweet girl. :)
Great idea!
I also think that Gifting is better than receiving. Your post is really a good post, I like it. Thanks for the nice share and keep sharing.
Sending gifts to Pakistan
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