Christmas Presents
Flyers everywhere,
Come buy our toys on offer!
Children’s paradise.
It’s the time for toys! Parents, and in my case grandparents, spend hours searching for the perfect Christmas present in flyers and shops, asking children to write letters to Santa and promising he’ll bring the selected presents, of course.
I’ve always had mixed feelings about this pretence, although I’ve mostly played along. I’m no Scrooge!
I know from my children and grandchildren that they love the anticipation and surprise, and when they’re very little, I’d say under 5 or 6, they tend to believe in the fairy tale, and that’s sweet, but, there comes a time when they no longer believe in magic, and yet, both parents/grandparents and children keep up the pretence for a few more years, just because….they can….they both agree to play along….
I’m not sure, even today, as I wrap my grandchildren’s presents (yes, I bought them early on special offer! I have four grandchildren!), how I feel about this. I mean the idea that you ask for something, wait for the set date and get it, or not, on Santa’s whim. What about preparation, effort, and hard work rewarded? Where does that come into the equation?
Although most parents/grandparents threaten to tell Santa if the kids are naughty and don’t deserve a present, but do they do so, or even intend to do so?
Christmas presents for adults are a different story, altogether, but more about that in another post.
Stream of Consciousness rant over.
How do you feel about Christmas presents for children?
By the way, this post was written in response to Linda Hill’s weekly prompt, pop over to her blog and join in or read other entries. The topic for today is flyer/ad
Rereading Jane Eyre 
I am not a mother, but have always felt sympathy for parents and grandparents who have to shop for the latest cool toy or doll or whatever for their child because the flyers and TV tell them so. Too much pressure! I imagine, though, you’ve bought your grandchildren presents with love and thoughtfulness and that they’ll be extremely happy on Christmas morning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s fun choosing their presents. Their lists are very long! So I get to choose which present I buy, that way it’s a surprise for them too! They live in another city, so they stay overnight on Christmas Eve and they hardly sleep!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love seeing little ones get excited over opening Christmas presents, but I like best when they are surprised about a gift they haven’t asked for. My kids are now young adults (they made lists when they were little, but we didn’t always stick to them) and the process is now sending links and buying. It’s very streamlined and practical, but not too exciting. I think it’s okay for older kids and young adults to have a say about gifts, but I prefer buying Christmas gifts for young kids – on the fly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
On the fly sounds great! Mine also get some surprises;)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like to think I’m in tune with what my guys would like, so it’s fun when I get it right!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s harder now to pick presents since my kids are grown, but I’ll have a grandson soon to have a re-do. I love picking out gifts for friends, though. More fun than getting them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree! Its exhausting but fun!
LikeLike