present tense...{rant}

and the Times newspaper gets it right again, in this article -about over-giving to children this Christmas . Oh yes indeedy, I'm all for some restraint....

I have no wish to be mean, or cause conflict, or sound ungrateful....but its all getting abit much. I cannot bear children unwrapping gift after gift after gift, not even registering whats inside them, or making long lists that actually go round relatives -horror- instead of just up the chimney to Santa. 
One gift is enough thanks, something they would like by all means, as long as its not extortionately expensive (like that god awful furry pony in the toy stores; real ponies are actually cheaper around here... and have waaaaaaaaaay more personality LOL or how about a pony trek for an eighth of the price and much more fun?)

Of course Christmas is for kids, and of course we buy them things too. But, what are they going to dream about, work for, or save for if you buy it all in one swoop? 

And how about something that they actually play with - instead of merely press buttons when told? hmmm... there plenty of time for that in adult life don't you think?

Always, the biggest success in parties for my children are the old fashioned ones... no theme park, no soft play rooms, just the garden, party games,  bunch of friends,jelly and ice cream with candles on the cake. hands down a winner every time. even with big kids. If your friends are playing the outdo game with parties and party bags (don't get me started on OTT party bags please...), you will have to be brave to take the step of NOT doing so. but trust me, real fun like treasure hunts, and the kind of games you {and your granny} played will be a hit with the kids. why should Christmas be any different?
We are -as you can tell- fairly restrained, and relatives are getting the idea too, and yet we are SUNK every year under  a mountain of stuff...

Santa, in our house, fills the stockings. generally stocking gifts don't cost Santa more than a fiver each thing.. and often he buys silly things for pence really. We open these first thing, everyone on our bed :) then once we're all  washed and dressed, the requested big gift comes from us, with back up gifts of things like books, and clothes. You know what everyone takes round to the grandparents later on to show off? something from their stocking. Every time.