Christmas Wishlist-Want, Wear, Need, Read
It’s that time again where the countdown to Christmas is on and wish lists are being made to send to the North Pole. This used to be simple, the boys would draw a picture or add a scribble then I would decide what they were actually going to get. Christmas day rolled around and amidst the excitement they forgot had been on Santas list.
We are thankfully past the days where it looks like a toy store exploded in our living room and the mountain of presents made it impossible to even see the Christmas tree. The times where the toys seemed to get bigger and louder with each present unwrapped. The muttered profanities when you see the little sticker declaring ‘BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED’. The kids play with most of them for a few weeks and they get shoved in the back of a cupboard or under a bed to be discovered on the pre-Christmas clean out next year.
Fast forward a few years and welcome to the world of primary school and pre-teens. Now I navigate the tricky world where the gifts may not be as loud and noisy, but they are carefully critiqued. We have reached the stage of parenting where the boys have much more say into what goes on their Christmas wish list. There is careful thought and consideration into what makes it onto the now carefully curated list.
Each of my boys, now aged 10, 8 and 7 will receive their gifts following the strategy of Want, Wear, Read, Need. On Christmas morning each of the boys will find a pile of gifts under the tree representing these four categories.
Want
The one present that they have been leaving subtle hints about or openly reminding me every second day that is at the TOP of the wish list.
This category is usually the big gift they have been holding out for all year and started asking for in January. It can also be the most expensive thing on the list which is most likely why they didn’t get it for their birthday. Or it can be something that I look at and just say ‘WHY?’
I try to treat this category as the one where I pass no judgement and often don’t understand why they could possibly want it.
Though there are some limits on this category:
1. There is a monetary limit. Just because it is the top thing on their list if it is thousands of dollars it is guaranteed not going to happen.
2. Animals. We have a menagerie of pets already and I think getting pets is a serious decision that the kids need to be involved in.
3. If I look at it and know they are going to be bored with it in two seconds. They think it will be coo but I’m exercising Mums rights here. There have been years where I have caved on this rule and let’s just say that sometimes Mum is right.
Wear
This one is simple, whatever your kid needs at the moment in their wardrobe. My boys are not at the age where they are particular about what they wear so I usually just stock up twice a year on what they need. So, we tend to go for more fun items here than completely practical.
For the older two it is usually sports related such as a football jersey or cricket shirt. For my youngest this year he has convinced me that costumes fit into this category and the request is for a Darth Vader or Ky Lo Ren costume. Do I need to be concerned that he is drawn to the dark side? That’s a whole other conversation.
Need
A practical item that is still thoughtful and will make their lives a bit easier.
I really like this category as it allows me to get something they need but to also make it fun. The boys have outgrown their toddler grow clocks and have asked for new alarm clocks for their rooms. In my search I have found them clocks that suit each of their personalities and have some very handy functions. They have a night light, white noise to help them get to sleep and simulate the rising sun.
And then some years there is the group present. This is not something we do every year, so the boys don’t always expect it. It tends to be the years where there is that big thing you want to get them that you know will last for many years. This is a present that will usually bring the three of them together and provide hours of fun (and give mum a minute of solitude). In the past this has been a play fort with swings and slides and a trampoline. The decision for this year has not been made but there is a thought for a family tent so we can take them camping down the river on our property. Though I’m not really the camping type so we will see if this one happens yet.
Read
I will always encourage books and they usually get a few in this category.
We started with picture books and have moved up to chapter books and graphic novels. Some of their favourite books are:
- The Bad Guys
- Minecraft Zombies
- Dog Man
- Star Wars
- Worlds Worst Series
- Cricket biographies
So now I will be completely honest and confess that gift giving is my love language. I’m the mum who wants to shower her kids with everything their hearts desire. I’ve learned to accept that sometimes less is more and this formula helps me to rein my festive spirit in. It ensures that the gifts I choose are not only appreciated but also used. No more forgotten gifts hiding in the backs of cupboards (or not as many anyway) which is a win for both tidiness and my sanity.
Goodluck to all navigating the gift giving season. May it be filled with laughter, memories and just the right amount of wrapping paper chaos.