Last year, we kept this in mind as we purchased just a few gifts for them. We do presents from Santa and from Mom and Dad. My husband doesn't necessarily agree with this, but he doesn't do the shopping or wrapping, so I win that battle.
Anyway, last year after the kids finished opening presents there wasn't much excitement in the air. We didn't get them anything big, nor anything they asked for...because a 3 and 1 year old don't ask for anything...or at least ours didn't. So, after the presents were all opened, James went out to his car to get the dump truck he had originally bought for Wyatt but decided to return. We were glad we made the last-minute decision to go ahead and give it to them, because it ended up being the most played with gift and created that fun Christmas morning spirit.
So, this year, I decided there needed to be more of that "fun" on Christmas morning. I got the kids more gifts than usual. I had a hard time stopping myself from buying Rylee a million things -- she is so easy to buy for!! Of course, I have to keep the number of gifts the same for both kids, so knowing I wouldn't know what else to get Wyatt to even it up, made me put a stop to buying for Rylee. I have a feeling she will always be easier to buy for than him. Rylee also circled everything in the toy catalog that she wanted....along with WHO she wanted to buy it for her...so she made it easy on all of us as well.
By the end of our numerous get-togethers, the kids got a ridiculous amount of gifts!! After watching multiple kids open presents in several different settings, here is what I learned this year about young kids and presents: The more presents to unwrap, the better. IT DOES NOT MATTER what is inside of them. Unless you are my 4 yo niece and get a package of Oreos ("Hey! This isn't a toy!!").
James and I both noticed that kids in general like to have more gifts to open -- I guess that's a no-brainer, but I didn't pay much attention to that until this year. For other kids that I buy for, I normally set a price range and go for 1 nicer item within that range. James and I both took note that other adults will give the kids multiple less expensive gifts, each wrapped separately and the kids will get more excitement out of those gifts.
I also learned that kids will have the same reaction to a gift whether it's a $3 light-up toothbrush or a $50 toy with lots of bells and whistles! Rylee proved this to be true when she was asked by her uncle what Santa brought her....though Santa brought her several really nice things, she could only remember the light-up toothbrush! Wyatt was super excited about every single present he opened, but has played the most with the 2 least expensive items he received! Note to self: Don't spend too much next year!!
Wyatt had a gift exchange at his daycare last week. As it wasn't his normal day to be there, I took him so he could participate. We were given a $5 limit. Wyatt and I shopped at Dollar General for our gift to bring. I was pleasantly surprised by how many decent options we had in that price range!! As each gift was opened, I found myself thinking "Wow, that was a good gift for $5!" After all 12 gifts were opened by the two year olds, I was so shocked at the quality of gifts that were received, and at how happy each child was with their gift!! Wyatt got a package of hotwheels cars, which has been his "thing" the past month....so that was an awesome gift for him!! I told James next year, I'm only shopping at Dollar General for all the kids and I'm only spending 20% of my usual budget ;) Kidding. Maybe.
I also found it interesting that the gifts I thought the kids would be the most excited about, they weren't. Or, the opposite...something I thought they wouldn't care about was a favorite item! I bought Rylee new cowboy boots and figured they would be her least favorite item.....I think she showed the most excitement over those than any other gift she opened..she even put them on right away and wore them with her jammies :) This made me very happy as I spent a couple of months trying to find the perfect pair.
While Christmas is not about the gifts and we try to teach the kids that.....it's definitely the highlight of their holiday. I want their Christmases to be memorable for them as I have many fond memories of my childhood Christmases. This year though, I think I learned the tricks to make us all happy....have lots of presents for them to open, but cut the budget in half! :) .....until they are teenagers with expensive requests....
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