It's working. All these commercials - the toys, the electronics, the damn food - they're working. Even on Baby Girl who has decided she wants every single toy that comes on the Disney Channel.My problem is that she's three. She's supposed to be open and influenced by these things. I'm not. Right? Somehow I don't think I've gotten that message. Where the girls are concerned I'm a sucker. I've had their presents ready since black friday. I did almost all of my shopping that day (what I hadn't done the days before). I'm never this organized. You'd think this would be a good thing right? Wrong!
The problem is that all the companies are now starting to advertise the newest, greatest, bestest toys and gadgets that they've been saving all year. And now I want to get them for the people on my list.
Baby Girl has asked for several things in the last week. Cute things. Things she'd enjoy. And I'm having a really hard time putting down the plastic. She doesn't need them. I know that. But something inside me wants to get them for her anyway just to see the look on her face Christmas morning when she opens them all.
Yes, I realize that giving a three year old everything she wants probably isn't the healthiest choice I could make for her... So why does saying no make me feel so bad? She probably won't even think about it. She'll be too excited over what she does have and won't give a second thought to what she doesn't. But I'll know. When did life get so twisted and complicated? Or maybe it's just me.
Anyone else struggling with gift giving and marketing campaigns?
Instigator
11 comments:
I remember the fun of the DH and I going to Toys R'Us and cruising the aisles and being so excited about stuff we knew Girl would love. But no, I'm oddly not swayed by the commercials. Just step away from the plastic...
We scaled it back this year, but yes I'm struggling. My kids have got almost everything. Wii? Check. Playstation2? Check. TV's in their room? Check. DVD players, computers, every family game known to mankind? Check, check, check. They couldn't even think of anything they wanted for Christmas and yet I want to go out and buy more just for the sake of buying.
Must. Resist. Must...be...strong. Argh!!!!
I still have much shopping to do...
The thing is, I *just* got AC to dump so many old toys, I'm hesitant to fill the toybox back up again...
They're going to love what you've already gotten them, Instigator. Don't give into the marketing ploys. (I do it too - if I finish shopping too early, I end up buying more stuff because I get sucked in.) Be strong and know that what they're getting is already awesome. They do have birthday's and stuff...
I don't watch daytime or weekend TV so I have no clue what the new toys are. I'd never seen a Wii until I was at Smarty Pants's house. However, when my boys were young, I knew all about Masters of the Universe, Teenage Ninja Turtles, Atari, Nintendo and all the other stuff of their era.
Of course when she's old enough to write, BabyGrand will probably send Grammy a list. And Grammy will buy. And buy. And buy. I had WAY too much fun this year in the girl's clothing department. I never got to shop for cute little girl clothes before.
Stay strong, Instigator. Just remember: the more you buy, the more you have to pick up.
PM
Instigator, that has always happened to me too. Remember, toy makers are counting on the fact that most parents have already bought their kids toys in order to be able to purchase what their kids want before every store is sold out. Now they pull out the whammy to get you to spend more money. It's a marketing ploy. Don't buy into it. Your girls will be so thrilled and happy with what you've already gotten them.
On a different note. You could always purchase and then return the other gifts. Sounds like a lot of work, but I've had to do that before.
Remember little kids have short term memories. Your girls will see the pretty boxes and be enamored with your gifts no matter what they are.
Resist the advertising executive's master plan! (Why do you think candy is situated at the register where kids have nothing to do but look around and salivate while Mommy pays for her merchandise?)
Take out a piece of paper and write it all down for their birthdays. By then you may still want some of it and cross other things off to add more current things. But you'll be a step ahead because you'll have already started a list.
And when grandma and grandpa say, What do they want... You are good to go. :)
I do this a lot with Drama Queen, because her birthday is in March.
Angel
Great idea, Angel!
That is a good idea, Angel.
Kira
Angel is always the voice of reason. Thank heavens! ;-)
And when grandma and grandpa say, What do they want... You are good to go. :)
This is very important! As a grandmother of seven, I'm always asking what should I buy!! lol
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