gift giving 101

Do you think birthday presents are tricky? I do. We live in a world that is really over the top with stuff. Kids especially, have way too much stuff these days. So much is disposable and there is nothing worse than a present frenzy followed by ‘is that all?’ I know you know what I’m talking about. I think that there should be a universal price cap on birthday party presents. Lewis once got an $80.00 set of Legos. Eee Gad. I was praying to Chucky Cheese that we wouldn’t get invited to that boys party!

I’m thinking five dollars. Or handmade. Or thrifted. Or, how about recycled? The key thing is this. Your child should be somewhat excited about his gift giving experience, so you need to be a little creative.

We make these sometimes. The little bird is $1.00 at the bead store. We have the rest on hand.We can do it together and it’s pretty quick and easy. Lewis loves it when his friend wears hers to school.

“Mom, Maddie wore the bird today.” he reports back.

Packaging is important. Be creative. I love something small and special on the outside, too. It can be anything. A feather, a bit of branch with an acorn attached, a pencil. I love these little pins from my sister’s store, firefly.

Last week, in a tizzy, I ran into Walgreens to shop for a very last minute present. We sometimes get these fun electric toothbrushes that come with tons of stickers to decorate them with. Della loves them and they are always a hit and they are about $5.00.

Little Miss stopped dead in her tracks at the end cap on aisle three.

Mini pillow pets.

Game over.

Pink and purple baby unicorn. Ring her up.

Do as I say not as I do.