Christmas re-cap!

[RollerCoasterMama]

With all of the worries about the holidays and relatives...we had such a nice Christmas and almost everyone respected our wishes for our son. If they didn't know what else to do, they gave books. My parents also gave us a check to pay for a large chunk of a big-boy bed! That's so much more helpful than a toy-box full of toys!!! We got a couple of plastic things, but really, out of everyone that gave him gifts, only two gifts didn't fit our guidelines! And since they're not super well constructed they probably won't survive for very long anyway! I've checked the safety websites and they're on the ok list at least--so they can come in the house and get phased out natually. I'm so happy not to be dragging home a ton of stuff. Everyone realizes that he really is a well provided for kid and shopped accordingly. My sister found a beautiful wooden bulldozer at the Pottery Barn Kids outlet! It was a HUUUUGE hit and he's played with it for hours!

Our wood animals were a hit with everyone--they thought we'd bought them at a craft show or something and were impressed that we'd made them (I got an extra point when the older neighbors assumed DH did it and they found out that I'd made them with a little help painting!)! They look great and I'll post pics. I was literally finishing the painting Christmas eve morning before we packed for the road!

We're extra grateful for the nice time with family since we totalled our car on the way to my home-town. Traffic had come to a stop because of an accident. We stopped in time. The guy behind us didn't. The only damage was to the car and we're all fine and still got to go home for the holiday.

Hope everyone had a safe and wonderful holiday!

[jakesmama]

What a nice Christmas! I'm glad those wooden animals you've been working on got rave reviews. So sorry to hear about your car accident!

Where did you find a list for safe toys? I need to check out some things we received..so much plastic; it's unreal....
I think most of it is destimed to go back to the mart it came from so I can take the money and invest in some things for the kids that will last!

[weliveintheforest]

I'm glad things went well for you, and that your accident wasn't too bad.

My kids got SO MUCH JUNK. I almost cried, but just tried to be grateful they are so loved. It's hard though, I don't care that much what people want to give my kids but the waste is really upsetting me. My son really loves the wooden truck he got, and they got clothes and books which are great.

[RollerCoasterMama]

Originally Posted by jakesmama

What a nice Christmas! I'm glad those wooden animals you've been working on got rave reviews. So sorry to hear about your car accident!

Where did you find a list for safe toys? I need to check out some things we received..so much plastic; it's unreal....
I think most of it is destimed to go back to the mart it came from so I can take the money and invest in some things for the kids that will last!

http://www.healthytoys.org/

It's not comprehensive, but it's got a fairly good list.

The car accident is really fine. My brother sells cars, and we'll have to come back up to return the rental anyway (yay insurance!), so worst case scenario, if they total it, we drive back up next weekend when we have time off anyway and get a new car with the same payment hopefully from my brother. It's so fine that it's not even dramatic once we got everyone warm indoors!

[boatbaby]

As long as you are opening the door I'll step right in...

Not only to we try to stay natural/ open ended/ Waldorf-y in our play things, but we also live on a boat... so SMALL and useful is the key.

We are picky about what shares our precious square footage and if it is something that is junky or won't get played with A LOT it has to go. Whenever people want to buy DS something, we always say BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS. Or we give a list of things that would work for him on the boat and the space we have.

I guess books are not sexy enough for people. Or small simple toys like play silks. My oldest brother got him a HUGE plastic pirate ship and a set of FORTY-SEVEN battling pirates & skeletons all with guns and knives in their hands. DS has pirate toys already (small, unarmed ones). And my brother asked ahead of time and I said -- no more pirate stuff, we have plenty. But he did it anyways because "it's just so cool". Aside from the junky, violent aspects of these toys, we literally would not be able to walk around on our boat if DS set up this set.

So I am being ungrateful? Probably a little I suppose. But I try to make it easy and he just doesn't listen. I told him for his daughter's birthday (she is 8) I was going to get her a belly piercing kit as pay back.

Thankfully the other brother did listen and got DS two fabulous Kathy Kruse dolls of Robin Hood & Friar Tuck. And my parents got him a subscription to Spider Magazine and some books. Perfect! DH's family didn't get him anything, which is also perfect.

Overall DS was overjoyed and very grateful and we had a happy, peaceful holiday.

[AngelBee]

Your work is absolutely beautiful!

If you live in the Twin Cities and are willing to give classes to teach me how to do all of that.....let me know!

You can pm me too.

[2+twins]

Our Christmas was very nice. The suffering economy actually seemed to help b/c we weren't overloaded with toys AND the things the kids did receive were directly off a wishlist we had created for them, with the exception of a stuffed animal each and a fabric book for each of my twins which was nothing objectionable.

It's funny sometimes when I think about friends or others who don't really "get" the choices we've made and feel that we're somehow depriving our children by restricting the toys they have to simple, non-media/plastic/electronic things. The thing is, my children are so happy with what they have and play very contentedly. What could be deprived about that?

[boatbaby]

Originally Posted by 2+twins

it's funny sometimes when i think about friends or others who don't really "get" the choices we've made and feel that we're somehow depriving our children by restricting the toys they have to simple, non-media/plastic/electronic things. The thing is, my children are so happy with what they have and play very contentedly. What could be deprived about that?

exactly!

[jakesmama]

After spending Christmas at MILs we came back with so much....er, junk that I nearly wanted to cry as well! I'm really happy to hear that I'm not the only person who had that feeling. I tried to just be grateful but in my head I'm looking at stuff (especially for dd) going, ok, that's going back, that's going back....rinse and repeat.

I'm totally stumped because I am so vocal (and helpful with links to websites and such) when people ask and then we get all this STUFF anyway. Honestly, if people would just get my kiddos ONE nice thing then they would spend the same amount of money but the item would be quality and we would really enjoy it. Instead, they get great 'deals' on a bunch of things that we don't like.

My dp says, you give what you want to receive. This may be totally true since I give handmade, natural material gifts or tech stuff. I just can't bring myself to buy junky stuff no matter who it's for!

[Hannahsmummy]

Sounds like all variety of Christmases have been had!

I always mean to be minimal in gifts but end up with a fair amount of volume for my daughter. She didn't ask for much this year other than left handed scissors, an ironing board and iron; which she got.

I made a few gifts for her and other than that it was art supplies (she's a gifted artist), books and clothes. My main gift to her was tickets to the ballet and we did that last week.

I am really thankful that our families are really great about gifts for her. My MIL always just asks what she should get and this year she got her a learn to knit kit and a fairy peg doll kit-lovely.

My mother is more indulgent and would go off the rails if left to her own devices LOL! However, she sends ideas for approval. I really try to be open minded with her and make allowances for stuff I wouldn't normally get because I know she's giving it with love. So, this year it is a huge Lego set which make a big house. It has already had hours of play which is great.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

We had such a fabulous Christmas here! My parents are usually the hardest and LOVE all things Disney and electronic. I had the "talk" with them shortly before Thanksgiving, and they actually complied with my requests completely! They got DS a 5 gallon fish tank complete with natural colored river stones and no character decorations, a large floor size coloring book with no characters, a big pack of crayons, and a sweet flannel shirt/cord pants outfit that also didn't have any characters on them anywhere. I am sure it was hard for them to skip the Cars/Elmo/Whoever is hot right now stuff, but the did, and I was in shock!

The tank is made of plastic, but I am ok with that. I figure it is safer for him to bang on if he decides to (hopefully not, but still...), and the coloring book is not exactly as open ended as a floor size pad of blank paper, but they really did try so hard, and I was so pleased with what he received. He loved everything, and has been staring at the fish tank asking for "Fish?" since we set it up.

Here at our house, his wood stove and wood barn have received heavy play already. He is so proud of making breakfast, lunch, and dinner in it at every meal. He will cook up a car or two and bring them to me to "taste" all the time. I love it!

[RollerCoasterMama]

Originally Posted by AngelBee

Your work is absolutely beautiful!

If you live in the Twin Cities and are willing to give classes to teach me how to do all of that.....let me know!

You can pm me too.

AngelBee, if you let me know what you're interested in learning, I'm sure we could set up some time at some point! I live like a hermit when not at work and it's good to drag me out sometimes! It's all stuff I've sort of figured out on the fly since this summer...clearly not difficult!!!

[cera]

Our holidays weren't so bad as we don't live near family, last year though was pretty awful MIL had sent money and requested that I buy what most met our family and needs so I thought we were in the good but then when she showed up with the rest of the family they brought a suitcase full of crap that I specifically had asked them not to bring. It was like she took everything I said don't buy and bought it, the number one offender for little ds was a obnoxious dancing chicken elmo, ugh and of course she ripped all the gifts out of there box's so they couldn't be returned. Poor ds was scared of that Elmo. Everything was donated shortly after they went home. This year only our niece came out and MIL again said she would send money, I was so worried she would send out a suitcase full of crap with niece but thankfully she didn't. Eldest ds received money to do with what he pleases and for youngest ds, dh and I she sent money. I bought little ds Everyone Poops book, he is obsessed with poop and farts, lol. I also plan to buy him a dust pan and sweeper from naturalpod.ca when they are back in stock. DH does not want MIL's money and was insulted as always, he would rather her buy him something or just keep her money. I on the other hand prefer the money as I'm sure you all understand. If you aren't going to put in an honest effort to try to respect our families way of living but must get a gift I'd just rather have the money to pick it out myself. I don't mean to sound ungrateful, I just feel so awful having to donate gits that people spent so much money on when they know they are unwanted in our home. Dh's portion of the money will go to the boys and I have not yet decided if I should buy myself a book (most likely waldorf related or the like) or also give it to the boys. Niece who is only 13 bought her presents with me there to guide her, though I told her none were needed she insisted, she bought my youngest ds some pieces for his wooden train tracks, a webkinz for my eldest (which he wanted),golf balls and a book for dh and for me she brought alone a tote bag I have been begging her to give me when she is bored of it which I could not have been more happy about. From friends of the family eldest ds also got a hanging light from ikea which is pretty cool and he loves and for youngest some hockey pj's from walmart (which will be returned) and a blanket from ikea which will be sold, consigned or donated as we just have way too many tiny blankets and I don't feel it's worth keeping. All and all it went pretty good. We made a change this year telling the kids they will only each get their stocking and 3 gifts from us, every year we over buy and then receive so much from others so we felt this was a god decision and though our eldest originally thought we were nuts I think he saw our point and I am quite pleased with how things turned out. I think bc of our decision to downsize xmas the kids were able to appreciate what they got more and that was our goal.

[lovinlife1219]

Originally Posted by 2+twins

It's funny sometimes when I think about friends or others who don't really "get" the choices we've made and feel that we're somehow depriving our children by restricting the toys they have to simple, non-media/plastic/electronic things. The thing is, my children are so happy with what they have and play very contentedly. What could be deprived about that?

We had such a great Christmas. Sure, there were a handful of things that were definitely not on the "approved" list (my MIL just does. not. get. it.) but my dad was here, and as mainstream as he is, he was totally diggin' it! He got the kids one present each, and one big one for them to share. That was it, plain and simple - and that's all it took! His one gift is my son's favorite! He got him the knight/king dress up outfit from Hearthsong...and what made me giggle was my son was running through the house with it on, with the most serious "knight" face I've ever seen and my FIL says "are there any batteries that come with that?" and I said "no, of course not!" and he says "you mean it doesn't make noise of any kind?" and my son is making all these "sword" noises and I said, "it sure does! but it doesn't come from the costume!" I mean honestly, do people really think that a toy MUST have batteries for a child to enjoy it? I don't get it! They also got homemade playstands (well, someone I know made them for me) and some wooden cars. The rest was warm jammies, and things that they needed to get through winter to stay warm. And they are SO HAPPY : I sewed my son a matching blanket/pillow and before I tucked him into bed he hugged me and said "thanks for making this for me mom"

And yet, my MIL buys him some electronic monopoly board game that he wanted nothing to do with (except drive the car around) and a "Cars" calendar that hasn't been touched. She means well, but just doesn't get it. I think in time, she will. She adores my kids and is the most attentive of grandmothers and that is all I can ask for!!

I am so glad to see everyone had a great holiday! Anyone feel like posting pictures?

[cera]

oops posted in wrong thread *blush*

[yukookoo]

we had a great xmas cause we were home alone! IT was very peaceful We did get a package of stuff from step MIL. I set up a wishlist for dd for her b day last year and step mil told dh that is the rudest thing she's ever heard of and she will buy dd whatever she wants... ok but you may waste your money if youw ant to so badly - whatever

so this year she sent a polyester bear that dances adn sings christmas stuff, another weird bear that does nothing but is also huge and polyester - we kept that one, at least for a while, i think something else that dances and sings and lights up - dont even remember cause they go right out. It's pretty sad. Easy now cause dd is so young, but eventually i think this will be a problem.

[fluttermama]

We also had a wonderful Christmas! :

We're savoring the twelve days of Christmas as well...enjoying the Fireside Stories book and other wonderful Christmas tales.

My kiddos got wonderful presents...my parents got my dd a folkmanis Wolf puppet that is beautiful! My son got the Pottery Barn Kids wooden pirate ship from my parents which is just wonderful quality. He loves it!

They also received great books, sleds from Santa, some things from Nova Naturals. I got my dd the Snowstorm cooperative game that they have at Nova but I was disappointed with this--my only return of the season. The kids just did not like it at all!

[emmaegbert]

weeeellllll.... we have not yet yet visited my in-laws and their assorted relatives, so it could go downhill from here, but so far so good- very simple, nice christmas. My parents sent pajamas that my son was desperate for, auntie sent a zoo membership. I knitted my son a hat and made him some beeswax polish, papa made him some sets of precut wood for his woodworking bench (he just turned 4 and loves, loves, loves to work with his tools) and we wrote out visual instructions for making a few toys and then I sewed drawstring bags with a felt applique on the front to hold them. "Santa" brought him a second-hand (but nice!) book, a knitted little bunny, a playmobil treehouse (he loves playmobil and has tons of handed down people and animals, sigh, I might not have chosen it but its been a great toy for him, and at this point we aren't going to start getting OTHER little figures and houses, since we already have one set of stuff, kwim?), some planks to add to his block set, and some silk wings from Sara's silks.

We made a worm bin for our family. (we all worked on that).

My son seemed really happy, though honestly my husband seemed a bit depressed by it all- he grew up where xmas was a HUGE deal and gifts (not necc actions) are how you express love, etc, so he feels a bit stressed by doing the holidays low key. He is intellectually on board with it, but finds it emotionally disappointing. I tried to remind him gently that expecting gifts and stuff to make you "happy" will actually always mean that they are disappointing, because no matter what you get it won't actually be your heart's desire, but unfortunately thats a hard concept. I never was that into getting lots of presents anyway, so I think its easier for me. But its something I guess we'll have to continue to negotiate. I really want to try to DO things together rather than make it about stuff. (we did: we made really nice cookies in the afternoon on xmas and then took a good long walk together, came back to share supper and do some woodworking- a really nice day!) Anyway, I guess its just a thing to figure out, to find a way that works for our family. I don't want to force something on my husband that he finds too dour. Unfortunately he had to work all the days surrounding xmas- he might have been happier if he could have set up christmas trains or other festive things like that... I'll try to remember that next year and encourage him to do that.

[thenaturefreak]

We also had a great Christmas. We only received a few things that were given away or taken back because they were not appropriate for the girls. The majority of items the girls were given from family members was clothing. Which was especially nice because they were not bombarded with too many toy presents.

We made a sweet wooden kitchen for the girls and I had spent the past year collecting items for it from various sources. They also got a few other toys like a doll carrier and rolling turtles to play with.

On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, most of our time was spent with our close family and everyone enjoyed being together. It was definitely a wonderful Christmas this year!

[blumom2boyz]

Originally Posted by fluttermama

My son got the Pottery Barn Kids wooden pirate ship from my parents which is just wonderful quality. He loves it!

Oh, I so wanted to get this for my boys. They even had it on sale online ($50 off!). My dh was afraid they would break it though.

Our Christmas was okay. They probably got equal amounts of quality stuff (thanks to "Santa" and my parents) and still a fair share of junk. I sent my MIL a list of toys and she didn't get them one single item off the list. Instead of the wooden pirate ship I wanted the boys to have, she passed along info that the boys wanted a pirate ship and my SIL proceeded to buy the Imaginext one DS3 also received lot plastic rescue vehicles. He does love playing with them, but we will see how long they last in the house!