Comments on: Needs And Wants http://www.hdydi.com/2009/12/needs-and-wants/ Moms of Multiples Tell it Like it Is Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:35:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jessie http://www.hdydi.com/2009/12/needs-and-wants/comment-page-1/#comment-7525 Jessie Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:27:40 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3795#comment-7525 I love the 4 gifts and I plan on doing it next year. Thank you for that. I love the 4 gifts and I plan on doing it next year. Thank you for that.

]]> By: Kim http://www.hdydi.com/2009/12/needs-and-wants/comment-page-1/#comment-7466 Kim Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:26:18 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3795#comment-7466 I love the way your family does Christmas. I would like to work toward something like that someday. It's tough because our families are such big gift givers, we feel obligated, ya know? Merry Christmas! .-= Kim´s last blog ..<a href="http://bigbagleys.blogspot.com/2009/12/lesson-learned.html" rel="nofollow">A Lesson Learned</a> =-. I love the way your family does Christmas. I would like to work toward something like that someday. It’s tough because our families are such big gift givers, we feel obligated, ya know?

Merry Christmas!
.-= Kim´s last blog ..A Lesson Learned =-.

]]> By: Sarah http://www.hdydi.com/2009/12/needs-and-wants/comment-page-1/#comment-7458 Sarah Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:18:08 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3795#comment-7458 I enjoyed reading this post and getting new ideas for how to do Christmas as my children get older and I try to instill more values into their lives. I really like the four gift list and wish I had heard of it sooner! The extended family is all about buying my kids tons of toys/games, when I'd prefer clothes or books. (Rachel - I think it's a small world - I'm pretty sure that the woman who went into premature labor after her husband was murdered works with one of my online mommy friends. I have been keeping the family in my prayers during this difficult time.) .-= Sarah´s last blog ..<a href="http://lifewithconnorandthetwins.blogspot.com/2009/12/my-brain-has-reached-its-capacity.html" rel="nofollow">My brain has reached its capacity</a> =-. I enjoyed reading this post and getting new ideas for how to do Christmas as my children get older and I try to instill more values into their lives. I really like the four gift list and wish I had heard of it sooner! The extended family is all about buying my kids tons of toys/games, when I’d prefer clothes or books.

(Rachel – I think it’s a small world – I’m pretty sure that the woman who went into premature labor after her husband was murdered works with one of my online mommy friends. I have been keeping the family in my prayers during this difficult time.)
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..My brain has reached its capacity =-.

]]> By: mysTery http://www.hdydi.com/2009/12/needs-and-wants/comment-page-1/#comment-7457 mysTery Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:18:38 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3795#comment-7457 Nice suggestions for gifts! I will keep those in mind! Happy Holidays!! .-= mysTery´s last blog ..<a href="http://mystery2you.blogspot.com/2009/12/random-thoughts-of-mother-to-be.html" rel="nofollow">Random thoughts of a Mother to Be...</a> =-. Nice suggestions for gifts! I will keep those in mind!

Happy Holidays!!
.-= mysTery´s last blog ..Random thoughts of a Mother to Be… =-.

]]> By: mysTery http://www.hdydi.com/2009/12/needs-and-wants/comment-page-1/#comment-7456 mysTery Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:17:42 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3795#comment-7456 Nice suggestions for gifts! I will keep those in mind! Nice suggestions for gifts! I will keep those in mind!

]]> By: Amber http://www.hdydi.com/2009/12/needs-and-wants/comment-page-1/#comment-7455 Amber Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:29:16 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3795#comment-7455 I really like this "4 gift list" idea and so does my husband. We are curious to hear people's thoughts on how other people set the "scope" or "limits" on each category, though. For instance, what if the item that your child "wants" or wants to "wear" is ridiculously expensive compared to what other siblings ask for, or even compared to the rest of the list? We have thought you could set a budget for each child's total gifts and distribute as needed amongst the 4 items. But what are other folk's thoughts? We have tried to do something every holiday season since getting married to help provide Christmas for others, such as picking names off the mall's Sub 4 Santa Giving Tree, donating to Toys for Tots, etc. and once our twins are old enough to recognize what it's all about, we will involve them in the whole process, from choosing how to contribute, then participating in the giving, too. I really like this “4 gift list” idea and so does my husband. We are curious to hear people’s thoughts on how other people set the “scope” or “limits” on each category, though. For instance, what if the item that your child “wants” or wants to “wear” is ridiculously expensive compared to what other siblings ask for, or even compared to the rest of the list? We have thought you could set a budget for each child’s total gifts and distribute as needed amongst the 4 items. But what are other folk’s thoughts?

We have tried to do something every holiday season since getting married to help provide Christmas for others, such as picking names off the mall’s Sub 4 Santa Giving Tree, donating to Toys for Tots, etc. and once our twins are old enough to recognize what it’s all about, we will involve them in the whole process, from choosing how to contribute, then participating in the giving, too.

]]> By: Krissy http://www.hdydi.com/2009/12/needs-and-wants/comment-page-1/#comment-7443 Krissy Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:43:35 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3795#comment-7443 We love Christmas and all that it entails (minus the commercialism of course.) Neither my husband nor I have large families, so it isn't a problem to shop for everyone while still staying around $500 (kids included). And honestly, I really enjoy purchasing a meaningful gift for the people who help me out so much and love my kids so enormously! Our families are GREAT at asking what I would like them to get for the kids. That helps so much, because then I can request art supplies, items that we don't have but would like, clothing in the right size (new pair of shoes, perhaps?) and this completely eliminates stuff I don't want in my house (large plastic and brand items) and duplicates. I also packed up the large majority of their toys in early November and donated them to teen moms. I wanted the kids to have only a few things to play with pre-Christmas to develop at grateful heart not a greedy-give-it-to-me attitude. We have talked extensively about Christmas being Jesus' birthday, and although we aren't in to the whole santa thing, I explained that Santa helps us to remember that giving to others in need is a wonderful thing. We are on the lookout for more ideas to infuse December with the true meaning of Christmas-next stop: a live nativity. And this afternoon we tromped around in the cold leaving chocolate covered pretzels (homemade) and cards in our neighbors mailboxes. Keep the great ideas coming! I will check back for more ideas! We love Christmas and all that it entails (minus the commercialism of course.)

Neither my husband nor I have large families, so it isn’t a problem to shop for everyone while still staying around $500 (kids included). And honestly, I really enjoy purchasing a meaningful gift for the people who help me out so much and love my kids so enormously!

Our families are GREAT at asking what I would like them to get for the kids. That helps so much, because then I can request art supplies, items that we don’t have but would like, clothing in the right size (new pair of shoes, perhaps?) and this completely eliminates stuff I don’t want in my house (large plastic and brand items) and duplicates.

I also packed up the large majority of their toys in early November and donated them to teen moms. I wanted the kids to have only a few things to play with pre-Christmas to develop at grateful heart not a greedy-give-it-to-me attitude.

We have talked extensively about Christmas being Jesus’ birthday, and although we aren’t in to the whole santa thing, I explained that Santa helps us to remember that giving to others in need is a wonderful thing.

We are on the lookout for more ideas to infuse December with the true meaning of Christmas-next stop: a live nativity. And this afternoon we tromped around in the cold leaving chocolate covered pretzels (homemade) and cards in our neighbors mailboxes.

Keep the great ideas coming! I will check back for more ideas!

]]> By: Jen http://www.hdydi.com/2009/12/needs-and-wants/comment-page-1/#comment-7439 Jen Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:13:40 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3795#comment-7439 this is the second year of having christmas with our twins, last year and this year we've packed up all the toys they've outgrown which are still in fantastic condition and taken them in several boxes to the Hospital and Womens Shelter (who also look after homeless families) we'll be doing this until the kids no longer get toys. My two are not quite 14 months but never too young to learn a life lesson. I love the want need read wear and will be doing that as well, my kiddos are spoilt by other family members i don't ever want them to expect to get everything they glimpse in passing. this is the second year of having christmas with our twins, last year and this year we’ve packed up all the toys they’ve outgrown which are still in fantastic condition and taken them in several boxes to the Hospital and Womens Shelter (who also look after homeless families) we’ll be doing this until the kids no longer get toys. My two are not quite 14 months but never too young to learn a life lesson.
I love the
want
need
read
wear

and will be doing that as well, my kiddos are spoilt by other family members i don’t ever want them to expect to get everything they glimpse in passing.

]]> By: Leigh from 123 blog http://www.hdydi.com/2009/12/needs-and-wants/comment-page-1/#comment-7437 Leigh from 123 blog Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:26:00 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3795#comment-7437 Laura C, I love your traditions! I'm really not into the big gift-giving extravaganza.... sometimes I think poor kids (looking at my friends' kids) but mostly I'm glad that they will be grateful for what they do get. Laura C, I love your traditions!

I’m really not into the big gift-giving extravaganza…. sometimes I think poor kids (looking at my friends’ kids) but mostly I’m glad that they will be grateful for what they do get.

]]> By: reanbean http://www.hdydi.com/2009/12/needs-and-wants/comment-page-1/#comment-7422 reanbean Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:26:39 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3795#comment-7422 Our gift giving for the past two years has been pretty minimal. The kids get so much from my in-laws that I don't feel the need to do much. A lot of what they get from our in-laws we put away and then take out gradually throughout the year (at least, that's what we did last year), because it's just too overwhelming at this point. We're very grateful for the gifts, and often they splurge on things- both necessary (like car seats) and fun (like a play kitchen)- that we wouldn't be able to afford otherwise. Although we've had very little excess since the kids were born, I still try to give to others when we can. Sometimes it isn't as much as I wish I could do. But I tell myself that every little bit helps. I know we won't be a one income family forever, and when the time comes, I definitely plan to involve our kids in helping out in the community. Whether it's purchasing items or donating time to a project, I want them to learn the importance of helping others and giving back. .-= reanbean´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.reanbean.com/2009/12/mistakes-were-made/" rel="nofollow">Mistakes Were Made</a> =-. Our gift giving for the past two years has been pretty minimal. The kids get so much from my in-laws that I don’t feel the need to do much. A lot of what they get from our in-laws we put away and then take out gradually throughout the year (at least, that’s what we did last year), because it’s just too overwhelming at this point. We’re very grateful for the gifts, and often they splurge on things- both necessary (like car seats) and fun (like a play kitchen)- that we wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise.

Although we’ve had very little excess since the kids were born, I still try to give to others when we can. Sometimes it isn’t as much as I wish I could do. But I tell myself that every little bit helps. I know we won’t be a one income family forever, and when the time comes, I definitely plan to involve our kids in helping out in the community. Whether it’s purchasing items or donating time to a project, I want them to learn the importance of helping others and giving back.
.-= reanbean´s last blog ..Mistakes Were Made =-.

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