I have been asking for a list from my kids for a month now. Its buckle down time now.. my side of the family's get together is next weekend. Both of my parents want to know what my kids want. As does my brother... he drew one of my kids names for the kid gift exchange.
Well my two boys ( 11 &12) are home not feeling well today and I tried to get some ideas out them. I admitt I snapped and yelled at them to be creative... after an hour all I got from both of them was... basket ball, base ball, foot ball. Really?! After telling them no, those are not even options, to come up with something else they just looked at me like I was crazy. ( well maybe I was there for a minute) For the last 2 years this has been thier Christmas AND Birthday list!! I told them I will not get anymore balls in the house... there is already so many and every time I turn around Im picking up balls in the house that belong outside.
Once I told them if I don't get some real answers on things they would like Im going to put down socks and underwear only... then I got about 7-10 ideas. lol Shouldn't have had to come to me getting mad ( I did say sorry and told them I was out of line for loosing my temper, I just got really annoyed and fusterated.. then snapped) before getting an answer.
I know my boys love sports.. but they also have to have other things they would like! I was really happy to hear that one of them wants a pair of binoculars, camera and a bird identifying book. he loves birds! the other one wants a telescope and an astrology book. After more prodding they came up with some games and other ideas. I just dont get why it was so hard to get it out of them!
So is anyone else finding thier kids are having a hard time figuring out what they want?
I know Momma W getting mad wasn't the answer, that's why I appoligized :( Its been one of "those" days.... everything breathing down my neck at once. It wasn't thier fault... just the straw that broke the camels back...
My 15yr old is all about the technology or cash also. I told him to choose atleast 5 things under $20 because the Grandparents couldn't afford more than that... if he wants to get anything at all. Still waiting on his list... lol But atleast with him, he has hobbies and interests that are obivious ones that we can go off of, unlike the other two.
Then the two little ones they are easy... anything toys!! oh how I miss those days with the older 3!
We are having the same issue around here. I told the wife the way I see it, they're making it a light Christmas, easy on the wallet.
No , they dont really know what they want. I put the sale ads, and Toys R Us Big Book in front of them. I had them circle things they like and want and then to go back and start the 5 things they wanted most of all. I had them each use a differant colored marker, so theres no confusion. I may not get them those exact things, but it gave me a good idea of what type of things to get.
I like that my kids don't really know what they want. They are satisfied with life as is, and are happy with what they have. I know it makes gift giving difficult, but I would rather have that than kids that are always asking for everything.
Yes. It drives me nuts. If they do not know what they want, suggest the giver to get them gift cards. That way, when they come up with something, they have the money to get it.
I let my kids peruse the catalogues that come in the mail and circle whatever they wish for to their heart's desire. They also make Christmas lists. We go from there. They don't get everything for sure...we pick from what they got most excited about, what won't break the bank or drive everyone insane.
Relax...take the the boys to a big store and let them show you what they would like and then go get some hot chocolate. You need to relax and get in the festive mood and not just look at it as a chore to get done. I know...boys that age can drive you up the wall..but get a little excited instead of miffed.
Good luck and best wishes!!
My kids are 19, 17, and 14. They want cash, money, dollars, gift cards, credit cards, oh, and cash.
:(
Aww, that's sad. Just be creative and use YOUR imagination; a gift is to show love not to mark something off the list. I'd be grateful that my kids weren't all "gimme gimme" and "needy".
My kids are very young, but I've gone through that with my brother and my nephew, and heck, even my husband! But I just sit back and get inspired. I remember that we didn't ask dad for a microscope but that was the best gift ever (besides laser tag, the bikes, and the telescope). I don't think I asked for a telescope either, but my dad is a science nerd and was sharing his interests with us, educating us, and we really did love it.
My 2 year old cracked me up---when Santa asked him what he wanted a couple weeks ago, he pointed at the candy canes and said "Candy". And Santa said "Yes, but what would you like?" and Victor yelled "EEEEEEAT!" (lol!) He asked my 5 year old what he wanted and Joseph thought a moment and then said "umm.....toys?" Santa pressed for what kind of toys and Joseph said "hmm. a scooter?" and that was all. I hope they stay like that FOREVER!
If you need ideas, perhaps this could help? I like to give one thing for different categories: 1)music (could be an itunes card, a CD, an instrument, whatever), 2)art (some art supplies, a book on art, some kind of project we can do, etc), 3)sports/outdoors (anything from toys, supplies to events), 4)game/family game (could be a video game, or a board game, a card game, some outdoor game for the family like bocce or crochet or lawn darts, or a dart board, whatever), 5)educational (anything), 6)at least 1 book, 7)something to wear, and 8)a toy they ask for, or if they don't ask for something, something that "speaks" to you (a hobby, or just a feeling they'd like it, whatever). After that, if you want more presents, play it by ear and get what says hi.
My oldest only wants Lego's, lego's and more lego's - can i tell you he already has a room FULL of lego's - ugh.
The baby is too young to demand anything so she'll just get lots of clothes and shoes - that girl is crazy for a sparkly shoe - i'm in trouble at 2! :-)
My daughter is 5 and keeps telling me every day, lol. My stepson is 20 and we are having the hardest time getting him to give us ideas. I know he will get some much needed clothes, gas card and some cash, but I think it would be nice to open more than just a few envelopes. My step daughter gave us a list around thanksgiving, but that’s because her birthday is also in December so she has to do two.
My 18 year old daughter has made it pretty difficult for us...her whole life. She will not and has never made a list. She doesn't give suggestions, she doesn't ask and leaves it up to us. Ughhh! I have had a blast and been pretty creative: swim with the beluga whales for Christmas, adopt a penguin for her birthday, concerts and activities.
Just sorting through the list is my problem. My daughter's list of items she wants is 4 pages long (college ruled, one item per line). Most of the items she has covered with stars and "please please please" arrows I already knew she wanted, and she is getting several of them.
Our son, however, only has about 12 things on his list. The 3 big items are game systems (think PSPGo, PS3, DS-3D) and then the other items are games for them. :( He has a small handful of items that are not video game/tech related... a pair of suspenders (?!), and ---- uhhhmmmmm... that's about all that is not game related, lol.
Maybe to get creative, you could give your boys some "events" instead of items? Tickets to a pro game of whatever their sport of choice is? Event gifts can be fantastic alternatives to loads of more "stuff" in the house... ;)
When my kids have no ideas on what they want - we, others encourage to do the same, put money into a special account. There is always something kids want sooner or later - they can get the funds from their "wish account".
