Is anybody else NOT buying toys this Christmas?Sorry Long! - Page 2

[Bird Girl]

Just in case you do decide to get some new things for the holidays:

jump ropes/skipping ropes

Bicycle or other outdoor toy--scooter, pogo stick, what have you

sewing kit and starter fabric stash--my 8 y.o. got this for her birthday this year

art or science museum membership

board games or card games; we got a fun game called Set for DD's birthday

picture puzzles for the family to work on together

Both my children were very enthusiastic about receiving mama-made pillow cases; I can just about manage five straight seams on my sewing machine.

I never run out of gift ideas for my children; it's more the money and the space that runs out first.

[accountclosed3]

when feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable about being different, i just remember what Byron Katie says: "other's opinions of you are none of your business."

so, basically, you do not have to internalize people's judgments of you--and many of those judgments may not be real. that is to say, you might think that others think it is weird/strange/bad, but they may NOT be thinking that. they may be thinking like "wow, that place is so peaceful" or "look at the lovely, minimal amount of toys that family has?" truth is, you don't know what a person is thinking most of the time.

and if they are speaking what they are thinking, then i just say "there are lots of ways to parent" and leave it at that, because i am sure of the way that i am parenting. i am sure of minimalism and natural and so on. it's what i want.

i'll be honest, i go to most people's homes that are cluttered and messy with toys and i am uncomfortable. but, i do not judge them--it's ok to live that way if it is what one is choosing. it's not a *moral* issue. it's not something that says "i'm better because." rather, i simply prefer to live this way, and they obviously prefer to live differently.

[counterGOPI]

Oh goodness how I hear you! I am actually planning on scaling our toys back a bit, we just have WAY too much!! I'm going bonkers trying to keep up.
But yes NO MORE TOYS HERE!! For Christmas my girls will be getting some mama made nightgowns, some mamamade knitted clothing and maybe an outift for their dolls. I prefer small simple Christmas' anyways... I just wish my family did as well. It was insane last year. Ughh. I do have a mother mary, father joseph and baby jesus evi doll set I bought last spring put away for my oldest and she'll still get those (even after all I just said) because of her strong love for them. She amazes me and teaches me every day about faith and religion
Anyways, I'm rambling butI soooo know what you are saying!! I'll be looking to you for encouragement to keep my foot down with my husband and maybe even myself as the holidays come closer

[dogretro]

I just told dh yesterday that we are not buying the girls anything for Christmas this year. Their birthdays are in April and they get toys twice a year: on their birthdays and at Christmas. There is more than enough family to buy stuff for them & we cannot afford anything anyway, unless it is v small. I have already started dd1's list b/c people always ask me what to get her (Thank goodness! So thoughtful of them ). This year I won't have to sit there like, "dur.." b/c I will have a list. Thus far it consists of the Hanna Andersson pink cardigan and hat to match the baby set dd2 will have grown into by then. Then they can match all winter, heehee!! Neither of them needs any new toys at all & we are going to start putting gift money into the college fund instead of spending it. We have lots of v nice toys & lots of things that aren't toys that dd1 plays w/, too (like family photographs). I don't feel bad about having lots of nice toys b/c we spend a lot of time at home & I want my kids to have the opportunity to really have enriching, engrossing play experiences & to have the materials to freely do so. When everything is put away, I know it is not a lot of toys. When it is all out, though.. Oh my, quite a mess!

Since we are going to be unschooling, anything schooly or crafty is always great here. How about some fancy drawing paper or sketch book? Something that feels heavy and important. Kumon makes some v nice learning activity books & there are always sticker and coloring books. I definitely love the small box of fancy chocolates idea. Have you seen those I Spy tube toys? There are also I Spy bags available all over etsy & the internet. Maybe just one new Ostheimer figure for each in their stockings. I always got a new toothbrush & toothpaste in my stocking. DD1 gets that now, too For our stockings, the kids get toothbrush & toothpaste, some Christmas chocolates, a small toy, and a stuffed something that hangs out the top (small animal or doll).

Super bounce balls or Pinky balls are always lots of fun. Accessories for toys they already have is always great. I remember getting peg refills for my Lite Brite or a mini Lego set. Something that comes in packaging can always be opened so that it fits in the stocking. Forgot to add that the kids get a new tree ornament every year, so that could go in a stocking, too.

[mamaUK]

Originally Posted by zoebird

when feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable about being different, i just remember what Byron Katie says: "other's opinions of you are none of your business."

so, basically, you do not have to internalize people's judgments of you--and many of those judgments may not be real. that is to say, you might think that others think it is weird/strange/bad, but they may NOT be thinking that. they may be thinking like "wow, that place is so peaceful" or "look at the lovely, minimal amount of toys that family has?" truth is, you don't know what a person is thinking most of the time.

and if they are speaking what they are thinking, then i just say "there are lots of ways to parent" and leave it at that, because i am sure of the way that i am parenting. i am sure of minimalism and natural and so on. it's what i want.

i'll be honest, i go to most people's homes that are cluttered and messy with toys and i am uncomfortable. but, i do not judge them--it's ok to live that way if it is what one is choosing. it's not a *moral* issue. it's not something that says "i'm better because." rather, i simply prefer to live this way, and they obviously prefer to live differently.

I think I need to print this out and stick it to my fridge as a reminder. Thank you so much for your words, you have really shown me the right way I should think about this.

[mamaUK]

Originally Posted by counterGOPI

Oh goodness how I hear you! I am actually planning on scaling our toys back a bit, we just have WAY too much!! I'm going bonkers trying to keep up.
But yes NO MORE TOYS HERE!! For Christmas my girls will be getting some mama made nightgowns, some mamamade knitted clothing and maybe an outift for their dolls. I prefer small simple Christmas' anyways... I just wish my family did as well. It was insane last year. Ughh. I do have a mother mary, father joseph and baby jesus evi doll set I bought last spring put away for my oldest and she'll still get those (even after all I just said) because of her strong love for them. She amazes me and teaches me every day about faith and religion
Anyways, I'm rambling butI soooo know what you are saying!! I'll be looking to you for encouragement to keep my foot down with my husband and maybe even myself as the holidays come closer

We too really have decided NO MORE TOYS HERE either. We really have enough for the girls to have a beautiful environment. You are so lucky that you are amazingly good at crafting. I know I would be terrible at knitting but I am thinking maybe I could figure out crochet. Maybe I could crochet the girls a little dolly blanket from wool? I can't sew clothes either but I love to sew wool felt so I am going to continue with my felt fruit and veg. Christmas time for us is very simple, just the four of us so this year I am going to try to focus on special activities. Our decorations are extrememly simple. We have a little real tree and candles and that is it. This year I am trying to have a declutter on E.bay and make £200 as I would love to have the Ostheimer Nativity to put next to the tree. As an ornament, not as toys. It would be so special for the girls to bring out each year.

Your evi dolls sound beautiful. My girls love their evi dolls. I actually have to send for a replacement evi mum as out mum had a glass of drink knocked over her.

One book I have got for my older girl from Amazon is the 'My First Little House paper dolls book' She wanted it a long time ago but i never got around to getting it so this will be so special for her. I think it will go in her stocking. I also need to get 'Farmer Boy's Birthday' to complete our Little House set but I have had the hardest time trying to find it as I would like it in paperback because all the rest are in paperback. My two adore these books and have them read daily.

I think I will need support nearer the time to stick to 'no new toys' because I remember distinctly last year thinking on the run up to Christmas 'OMG, the girls don't have ENOUGh' which is silly of me. I really want to be able to do this, keepit small, keep it simple and don't give in to pressures. I hope I can do this. Maybe I can't because I love beautiful toys. But I really really want to.

[mamaUK]

Originally Posted by dogretro

I just told dh yesterday that we are not buying the girls anything for Christmas this year. Their birthdays are in April and they get toys twice a year: on their birthdays and at Christmas. There is more than enough family to buy stuff for them & we cannot afford anything anyway, unless it is v small. I have already started dd1's list b/c people always ask me what to get her (Thank goodness! So thoughtful of them ). This year I won't have to sit there like, "dur.." b/c I will have a list. Thus far it consists of the Hanna Andersson pink cardigan and hat to match the baby set dd2 will have grown into by then. Then they can match all winter, heehee!! Neither of them needs any new toys at all & we are going to start putting gift money into the college fund instead of spending it. We have lots of v nice toys & lots of things that aren't toys that dd1 plays w/, too (like family photographs). I don't feel bad about having lots of nice toys b/c we spend a lot of time at home & I want my kids to have the opportunity to really have enriching, engrossing play experiences & to have the materials to freely do so. When everything is put away, I know it is not a lot of toys. When it is all out, though.. Oh my, quite a mess!

Since we are going to be unschooling, anything schooly or crafty is always great here. How about some fancy drawing paper or sketch book? Something that feels heavy and important. Kumon makes some v nice learning activity books & there are always sticker and coloring books. I definitely love the small box of fancy chocolates idea. Have you seen those I Spy tube toys? There are also I Spy bags available all over etsy & the internet. Maybe just one new Ostheimer figure for each in their stockings. I always got a new toothbrush & toothpaste in my stocking. DD1 gets that now, too For our stockings, the kids get toothbrush & toothpaste, some Christmas chocolates, a small toy, and a stuffed something that hangs out the top (small animal or doll).

Super bounce balls or Pinky balls are always lots of fun. Accessories for toys they already have is always great. I remember getting peg refills for my Lite Brite or a mini Lego set. Something that comes in packaging can always be opened so that it fits in the stocking. Forgot to add that the kids get a new tree ornament every year, so that could go in a stocking, too.

I have never heard of the I spy bags/tubes?

The toothbrush idea is great, my older girl loves a pretty toothbrush! And I think I will choose them one Ostheimer figure each. They are collecting the farm ones. I think the crafting things are great too. Thank you!

[dogretro]

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2009/02/eye-spy-bags.html

http://www.etsy.com/search_results.p...uery=i+spy+bag

Those are the bags, w/ a tutorial on how to make your own. These are the tubes: http://www.finditgames.com/

I know what I am making for all of the kids this Christmas!!!!!

[TulsiLeaf]

We are thinking of moving in April, so the less we can take the better.

I would love to say no toys at Christmas, but we have a hard enough time not letting Toy Story toys infiltrate our house.

We just celebrated M's 5th birthday and amid the felt birthday banner, the crown was a TS backpack, lunch box and toy.

I think I'm gonna give up, ha.

[counterGOPI]

Originally Posted by mamaUK

We too really have decided NO MORE TOYS HERE either. We really have enough for the girls to have a beautiful environment. You are so lucky that you are amazingly good at crafting. I know I would be terrible at knitting but I am thinking maybe I could figure out crochet. Maybe I could crochet the girls a little dolly blanket from wool? I can't sew clothes either but I love to sew wool felt so I am going to continue with my felt fruit and veg. Christmas time for us is very simple, just the four of us so this year I am going to try to focus on special activities. Our decorations are extrememly simple. We have a little real tree and candles and that is it. This year I am trying to have a declutter on E.bay and make £200 as I would love to have the Ostheimer Nativity to put next to the tree. As an ornament, not as toys. It would be so special for the girls to bring out each year.

Your evi dolls sound beautiful. My girls love their evi dolls. I actually have to send for a replacement evi mum as out mum had a glass of drink knocked over her.

One book I have got for my older girl from Amazon is the 'My First Little House paper dolls book' She wanted it a long time ago but i never got around to getting it so this will be so special for her. I think it will go in her stocking. I also need to get 'Farmer Boy's Birthday' to complete our Little House set but I have had the hardest time trying to find it as I would like it in paperback because all the rest are in paperback. My two adore these books and have them read daily.

I think I will need support nearer the time to stick to 'no new toys' because I remember distinctly last year thinking on the run up to Christmas 'OMG, the girls don't have ENOUGh' which is silly of me. I really want to be able to do this, keepit small, keep it simple and don't give in to pressures. I hope I can do this. Maybe I can't because I love beautiful toys. But I really really want to.

sqqueeaaallll!! We just stared reading the 'my first little house' books this summer!! both my girls are head over heals with them. K pretends she's mary and C is laura then the new baby is supossed to be baby carrie I think reading these books has been helpful to the girls and myself in cutting back, too. K loves that laura only gets 1 toy and new clothes for her doll for her birthday, etc. so perfect!! Ok, anyways, yes we will need to support each other WE CAN DO IT!

[RollerCoasterMama]

Originally Posted by counterGOPI

sqqueeaaallll!! We just stared reading the 'my first little house' books this summer!! both my girls are head over heals with them. K pretends she's mary and C is laura the nthe new baby is supossed to be baby carrie I think reading these books has been helpful to the girls and myself in cutting back, too. K loves that lauar only gets 1 toy and new clothes for her doll for her birthday, etc. so perfect!! Ok, anyways, yes we will need to support each other WE CAN DO IT!

OMG Nicole!! Just saw your siggy!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!

Ok, back to why I hit reply...I'm glad to hear the reviews on the Little House books. I wasn't sure the My First ones would be worth it...but I'm remembering the full size books and am sad to give up details.

We're at toy overload too. I'm going to suggest to family that books, crafty stuff or clothes are preferred if they insist on a gift. I've already got his gifts for Christmas, Santa and birthday picked out...unfortunately they do include a couple more toys...but the main agenda is a dress up box with a few items that can be used for several years. He loves to play dress-up so he'll get a major kick out of it, and we can use the storage! An Ostheimer knight and horse to supplement our castle people (the black knight of course!)--I think that's birthday. And a wooden airplane we absolutely don't need but he looooves from Santa. Santa likes to indulge a little.

And to make that all fit into my little house, it's going to take another round of decluttering!!!

The family has gotten really good about not going crazy. Once they realized I was serious about this "natural toy kick" and it's been a few years now...they try to keep that in mind and look out for Melissa and Doug stuff if they insist on a toy and don't know where else to shop. Of course my little brother got DS the biggest Tonka dump truck ever for his birthday last year -- not a direct contradiction to our policy since it's not plastic. And of course DS adores it to bits and uses it in all sorts of games!

The downside of all of these beautiful toys---they just don't wear out! And they don't get outgrown as quickly as the disposable stuff!

[LuxPerpetua]

We're running out of space here, too, and to be honest, my child doesn't really "do" toys much. She is much more likely to play with toilet paper rolls than anything toyish. Go figure. I've got a sewing machine now, so I'm hoping to be able to make her some winter pjs. I also want to get some plain silks for dying with natural, vegetable dyes--dd has REALLY been wanting to do that. Other than that, books, and maybe a few crafting supplies. I just wish I could explain LOUDLY enough for our family to stop buying her stuff--I'd much prefer a gift card or books or something. And they never ask what she wants or what size she wears. UGH. A little consideration would go a long way.

[TulsiLeaf]

Originally Posted by counterGOPI

sqqueeaaallll!! We just stared reading the 'my first little house' books this summer!! both my girls are head over heals with them. K pretends she's mary and C is laura the nthe new baby is supossed to be baby carrie I think reading these books has been helpful to the girls and myself in cutting back, too. K loves that lauar only gets 1 toy and new clothes for her doll for her birthday, etc. so perfect!! Ok, anyways, yes we will need to support each other WE CAN DO IT!

you guys are reading them!??!??!?!?!? M LOVES LOVES LOVES them. I need to get the one after on the banks of plum creek(the name is escaping me).

[counterGOPI]

Originally Posted by LuxPerpetua

I just wish I could explain LOUDLY enough for our family to stop buying her stuff--I'd much prefer a gift card or books or something. And they never ask what she wants or what size she wears. UGH. A little consideration would go a long way.

Oh goodness do i hear you!!! That's why Christmas was so insane last year.. all gifts from the family.I am grateful for what they do for us and most of the gifts were wonderful but still just too much stuff!! My MIL is already telling me all the things she got for my daughter's birthday next month and I'm about to pass out. She is coming out here for her birthday which I think is the best present she could give and K doesn't need anything else but *sigh* that's not the way it is. I was looking forward to a simple birthday... I got her the 'Litle Red Riding Hood' book since she'll be old enough for it and I knit her a little red riding hood cape. I am hoping to sew her a dress to go with it but the morning sickness has kept me away from sewing most of the summer Anyways, that was going to be it. Sweet and simple. But now it will be chaos.. she always wraps everything separately, too so it looks like even more presents.. ahhhh!! ok I'll stop now

So how can we get families to listen without it coming across as ungrateful????

[counterGOPI]

Originally Posted by RollerCoasterMama

OMG Nicole!! Just saw your siggy!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!

Ok, back to why I hit reply...I'm glad to hear the reviews on the Little House books. I wasn't sure the My First ones would be worth it...but I'm remembering the full size books and am sad to give up details.

We're at toy overload too. I'm going to suggest to family that books, crafty stuff or clothes are preferred if they insist on a gift. I've already got his gifts for Christmas, Santa and birthday picked out...unfortunately they do include a couple more toys...but the main agenda is a dress up box with a few items that can be used for several years. He loves to play dress-up so he'll get a major kick out of it, and we can use the storage! An Ostheimer knight and horse to supplement our castle people (the black knight of course!)--I think that's birthday. And a wooden airplane we absolutely don't need but he looooves from Santa. Santa likes to indulge a little.

And to make that all fit into my little house, it's going to take another round of decluttering!!!

The family has gotten really good about not going crazy. Once they realized I was serious about this "natural toy kick" and it's been a few years now...they try to keep that in mind and look out for Melissa and Doug stuff if they insist on a toy and don't know where else to shop. Of course my little brother got DS the biggest Tonka dump truck ever for his birthday last year -- not a direct contradiction to our policy since it's not plastic. And of course DS adores it to bits and uses it in all sorts of games!

The downside of all of these beautiful toys---they just don't wear out! And they don't get outgrown as quickly as the disposable stuff!

Thanks!

Yes, it's actually thanks to a couple of my friends and Tulsileaf (Hey there!), that we got the little house books. We borrow them from the library here and have to constantly renew them. Really, the way the books are written goes hand in hand with the 'Waldorf lifestyle' which makes them even more fun. Plus my husband and I have had a dream of building a small log cabin on a lot of land (for our farm) for a long time now so they are perfect!

[counterGOPI]

Originally Posted by TulsiLeaf

you guys are reading them!??!??!?!?!? M LOVES LOVES LOVES them. I need to get the one after on the banks of plum creek(the name is escaping me).

Yes yes! Thanks to you Oh and that's one of the reasons I am sewing the girls flannel nightgowns for Christmas, b/c Laura and Mary wear them

[TulsiLeaf]

Originally Posted by counterGOPI

Yes yes! Thanks to you Oh and that's one of the reasons I am sewing the girls flannel nightgowns for Christmas, b/c Laura and Mary wear them

I am so glad you are enjoying them. Every little girl and boy should have read those at one point or another. So many good lessons in those books.

[mamaUK]

Originally Posted by TulsiLeaf

I am so glad you are enjoying them. Every little girl and boy should have read those at one point or another. So many good lessons in those books.

TulsiLeaf, are you reading the 'My First Little House Books' with your little one or the original stories?

We are reading the 'My First Little House Books' which my five yearl old will love for at least another year. I was wondering when to introduce the original books...she will be so excited when she realises there is so much we haven't read together yet!

By the way, I owe you an e.mail about toys, which I will catch up with, things are so busy here!

[mamaUK]

Originally Posted by counterGOPI

So how can we get families to listen without it coming across as ungrateful????

I told our families that any character toys or plastic or stuffed toys would more then likely end up at a charity shop or a childrens hospital or go into a shoebox of brand new stuff I send to Bulgaria each year as part of the Christmas Box scheme as they weren't what we wanted in our family life. It was hard to begin with but they were understanding and very good about it and now they give contributions for Birthdays and Christmas's so the money can either go into savings for family day's out or trips to the swimming pool, but it has mostly been used to go towards the beautiful Waldorf toys the children now have. This has been happening for about the last three years. This year, I think I have already mentioned in this thread, both sets of grandparents are getting my older girl a pear wood pentatonic recorder. So they are very generous and ask if there is anything we would like for the girls on a particular year and it gets sorted out. It did take time because it's hard for people to understand about the reasoning behind natural toys if it's not something they have been reading about/ been involved with.

So the Shoebox appeal I do each year is very good for me and my older daughter about any unsuitable little gifts that creep into the home. Like we don't do felt tips here (markers?) or poor quality pencil crayons/wax crayons so she will go and put brand new packets of those straight into the shoebox all year around ready for making shoesboxes up for Bulgaria Children right in December. We will make it a mother/daughter outing where we go and buy toothbrushes,soap,combs etc to finish the boxes off and them wrap them in pretty paper. She loves that she is doing something good. Oh, and the cute fluffy pink soft toy (or something similar) that comes into the house? She will go and pop it right into the shoe box and thats ok with her. In her head she is doing something good for the children. I don't feel too bad b/c it is going to charity. But really, not that much comes in that isn't wanted, maybe a few items a year.

Oh and Tusileaf, about the Toy Story thing, my older girl can spot anything Disney Princess from about 100 paces and comes running... She has a Disney Princess Tiara and dress and a couple of rings but it doesn't really bother me....I just kind of try to keep on top of it! That is the only character stuff she knows of though. Somebody recently tried to have a conversation with my 2.5 year old about 'Bob the Builder' (a big young Kids TV character over here) and she just did not know what this person was going on about! LOL

[mamaUK]

Originally Posted by counterGOPI

So how can we get families to listen without it coming across as ungrateful????

Oh, and I forgot to say, me and my husband actually sat down with some family members and said we need to talk about presents (which was really akward at the time ) and said the sort of thing we would like for our girls, and how generous they were but also that we felt we had to talk about the present situation because we didn't want them to waste their money and things that weren't welcome in our home. That seemed to really, really help. We also showed them the Myriad catalogue (where i do most of the girls shopping!) and this really helped too because we have many a time browsed it with family members and they can see the beautiful quality of the toys.