When I had an actual J.O.B., before Buddy was born, I received generous holiday bonuses and gifts from my employer. The Evil Twin works for the government and has never received any bonus, much less a raise in years.
I guess our holiday bonus this year will be, once again, seeing the joy in our childrens' faces when they open their gifts.
And, we do not go overboard. Since Buddy was a little dude (and when my parents were alive and always believed in sparing the rod and spoiling the child), things were just out of hand. We felt one child could only play with so many toys in a time period. So, we came up with the idea of 2 gifts from Mom & Dad (that's us), 2 from Grandma and Grandpa and 2 from Santa. After my parents passed away, we changed it to 3 gifts from Mom and Dad and 3 from Santa. Even Sissy knows the routine now.
Our children are far from deprived. They receive nice gifts from us and Santa, and they also receive numerous gifts from extended family members. The amount of "stuff" they get is still sinful, but not completely overboard.
I figure this saves us money, and cuts down on the overall clutter in the house.
The Evil Twin and I do not exchange gifts. We feel like, throughout the year, we treat ourselves to little gifties all year long. This time of year is for the children.
I have the best time shopping for the stocking stuffers. I think the kids like the stockings almost more than they like the other gifts. It's so cute.
I love, love, love seeing their excited faces when they look under the tree.
And, that's my holiday bonus these days. :-)
Happy Wednesday, hooligans and be sure to check out the other participants in the Madhouse.
Love,
______________________________________
Allison – Allimonster Speaks
Barb – Spencer Hill Spinning & Dyeing
Batty – Batty’s Adventures in Spooky Knitting
Dave – Notes from the Field
Evil Twin’s Wife – The Glamorous Life of a Hausfrau
G – Not-A-Box
Heather – She Flies With Her Own Wings
Jennifer – Ask Poops, Please
JMLC – Daydreams and Ruminations
Kate – yoyu mama
LC – LC in Sunny So Cal
Louise – Child of Grace
Marcy – Mittentime
Melanie – usually, things happen
Nikki – Land of the Free, Home of the Depressed
Sara – yoyu mama
I got a great stocking stuffer last year. She was about 5'7 140 lbs, black hair, blue eyes and man, did her legs ever stuff those stockings well. Cheers ETW!!
ReplyDeleteAs a kid I remember getting way more excited about my stocking gifts than what was under the tree. It was always fun to dig in there and see what kind of goodies you had!
ReplyDeletei'm gonna stuff my gf's stocking! ;)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 1,000 posts!
ReplyDeleteWe're only getting our children two gifts apiece, and two to be shared this year. Unfortunately, we have no control over how much the relatives get them ... but there's usually a mysterious toy purge in our house sometime in January!
We're waiting until they are older for stockings. I can't wait!
I give up on my sex! Two male comments and what do you know they're dick focused.
ReplyDeleteWe men don't need kids - we never grow up holding on to our penises and giggling.
I look forward to the next 1000; dick free if poss, but I'm not holding my breath.
that is what it is all about isn't it - not money and bonuses (ok, i know they can help) but it is about being together as a family and realising the joy they bring you.
ReplyDeleteMy hubs and I don't give gifts eitehr because really, what do you need that you can't just go buy during the year?
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, it's about the children. We don't go all out either, we have 'battling' Grandparents who seem to try and do that so we get each of the boys 2 gifts from Santa and 2 from M & D and then maybe a gift or two that can be shared for the both of them.
My greatest joy is going to Christmas Eve Mass and seeing my kids open their gifts. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!
Congratulations on getting to 1,000 posts. That's quite a benchmark for the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful Christmas philosophy you have.
ReplyDelete