Are you cutting back on the amount you spend/quantity of stuff for the kids this year?

I really have cut back on all family members but I definitely have been more conscious about how much I bought Amber this year. With all the extended family members she has; one little girl just doesn't need all that "stuff". I don't remember getting half of what she does as a child and I was content. I told her she had to downsize her collection as is or Santa will pass us over thinking she already has too much.

Does anyone know of any donation sites that take toys willingly?

Re: Are you cutting back on the amount you spend/quantity of stuff for the kids this year?

I don't get them a lot b/c our families are so generous. They have no idea how much I do or don't get them at this point.

A few months ago I made them help me pick out toys to give away. It was disgusting how much stuff we had that they never looked at. I thought it was good for Sarah, she seemed to get it and kept asking if the other children would like playing with her toys.

The stuff that is in really good condition and are still really popular toys I bring to Once Upon a Child to see what they'll give me for it.

We usually take the rest to the Goodwill store on Merrick Rd in Bellmore.

You can also ask at your church, sometimes they know of people who don't have much and would love toys for their kids.

I keep meaning to call Momma's House (there's one in Wantagh near Hemingway's & the 5&10) to see if they will take stuff.

Re: Are you cutting back on the amount you spend/quantity of stuff for the kids this year?

I'm definitely not gonna over do it this year. We plan to do one big gift for each and then 2-3 smaller gifts.

I recently discovered a bunch of toys that I saved last year bc they got so many. I totally forgot they were there. I'm going to give some of them away to Nate's daycare and some to Toys for Tots.

Re: Are you cutting back on the amount you spend/quantity of stuff for the kids this year?

We don't buy anything for our family members. Just for our niece and nephew and DH's bestfriend kids.

As far as DS goes. I bought EVERYTHING on sale. So I was able to buy more than originally thought.

Re: Are you cutting back on the amount you spend/quantity of stuff for the kids this year?

We don't buy DS much at all, like 1 big toy and stockings b/c my parents and family are so generous with him.

So, I guess my answer is no.

Re: Are you cutting back on the amount you spend/quantity of stuff for the kids this year?

I never cut back on Steven. He has a lot and my family is toooo generous. So, I opted for learning toys this year. My sister felt 'bad' for him and went nuts

I recently gave a bunch of his baby toys to the local hospital. Steven stayed there for a couple of days a few months back and they had NOTHING. It was really depressing and they have kids that are there long term, I felt so badly for the ped. floor. they were more than happy to take them and I told them there's more to come

Re: Are you cutting back on the amount you spend/quantity of stuff for the kids this year?

we have not been hit by the economy, so I haven't really kept track of my holiday purchases. We have so much and they don't really get the holiday yet - so I don't buy too much anyway.

But I always remember that my mom said that no matter how much they struggled some years, my father always wanted to make sure that we had a great x mas and they would do without to make sure of it. Now as an adult, I look back and I cannot remember a barren x mas (although i do remember the tough years). I will always keep that in mind as my kids get older.

Message edited 11/25/2008 6:16:47 PM.