Home > Health > MOMania > Archives > 2008 > December > 04
Thursday, December 4, 2008
How many presents per child?
How many gifts should kids get during the holidays? How does divorce affect your present number?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I received a note from a divorced mother of two (6 and 2) who was perturbed at another divorced mother for suggesting that she was giving her children too few presents for Christmas. Here’s some of her note:
“I’m in the process of getting to know another divorce mom (name S) and our conversation turned towards Christmas shopping and gifts for our sons. She has one son, age 6 who attends my 6 y.o.’s school. … When she asked about my shopping, I announced very proudly that I had my shopping budget down to $125 as I was only giving gifts to children this year; that I did not have a lot of money out of my budget. BTW I already announced to my 6 y.o. that I would only be able to give one gift this year because we are on a tight budget.”
“S was a bit shocked that my shopping budget was low and asked how many gifts was I going to give to my boys. I responded one gift to each of them and one to two nephews and one niece. She went on a monologue about her shopping for her son. He will get about six gifts from her, about six gifts from Santa, and then her parents had already purchased a Wii game and the Nintendo DS for him. She said she started shopping back in August and that she always makes a big deal about Christmas.”
“So I responded that my boys have always received plenty of gifts from me and family members and that I’ve never wanted to overwhelm them at Christmas. … ”
“I would like to know from a neutral standpoint how many gifts are too many gifts to give to one child? In my humble opinion I really think 4 or 5 gifts from mom and Santa should be sufficient considering your child is going to receive gifts from grandparents on both sides, aunts/uncles, and other relatives and friends. I do not in the least bit feel inadequate about my low budget, however I think it may come off that way because I’m refuting/discussing the number of gifts from a budgetary perspective. Nor do I feel jealous or envy that her child is blessed. I have a doctorate in education and can attest to different ways to raise and praise your child. And, I have not gone into the discussion about the meaning of Christmas or the tirades of consumerism because I don’t know S’s religion. .. Another mom friend of mine told me she gave her two kids 3 gifts each because the 3 wise men gave baby Jesus a gift.”
OK guys, what do you think? How many presents are appropriate to give a child? How does divorce affect your total — guilt giving, competing with the other side, or knowing the other side will give a lot so you don’t have to? How do the totals expected from grandparents and other relatives affect your total and Santa’s total?
Permalink | Comments (156) | Post your comment | Categories: Ethics of rearing kids today
