Christmas gifts Archives - Kids Ain't Cheap

Why Santa Shouldn’t Bring Your Kids’ Best Christmas Gift

November 9, 2023 | Leave a Comment

My kids are all teens now—19, 15, and 13—but if I could go back in time, starting when my youngest was born, I’d make sure Santa only bought my kids lower-cost, boring gifts. Why? I have several reasons why Santa shouldn’t bring the best gift. If your children are young, hear me out and see if you agree.

When our kids were young, we didn’t have much money. We tended to get our kids practical gifts, and Santa got one big, fun, expensive gift for each child. We thought we were smart by having Santa bring only one present (we got the rest), but we erred when we had Santa bring the most expensive gift. Here’s what we learned.

Why Santa Shouldn’t Bring Your Kids Best Christmas Gift

If Santa brings the best, most expensive present every year, your kids, like ours did, may develop unrealistic impressions.

Kids Think Santa Doesn’t Have a Budget

Most kids think Santa brings them what they want, regardless of price. For instance, when my daughter was eight, she wanted a sewing machine. That was out of our price range for a present, but thanks to a Black Friday sale, I got the sewing machine she wanted at 50 percent off. Who gave her the gift? Santa. Boy, was that a big mistake.

While she understood her dad and I had a Christmas budget, she thought Santa didn’t, and in future years, she asked Santa for expensive presents, sure he could deliver. However, each year going forward, she was disappointed because she thought Santa brought her an expensive present one year, so he should be able to every Christmas.

You Should Get Credit for the Nice Presents

Besides creating unrealistic expectations by giving her that gift from Santa, her dad and I lost out on the credit for the best present she ever received. Yes, she now knows the truth about Santa, but when it comes to that gift, she still talks about how Santa gave her the best gift ever.

Kids May Feel Santa Is Unfair

Finally, if you can give expensive gifts from Santa, other kids at school who receive smaller, less costly presents from Santa may feel that Santa likes other kids better. Having Santa bring smaller gifts helps other kids avoid disappointment. Some parents even go so far as to say that Santa usually brings smaller gifts because he needs to fit so many in his sleigh.

Final Thoughts

If your kids are young now, consider the rituals you establish around gift-giving. If Santa brings the nicest present, that’s what your kids will expect year after year after year. However, if you buy all the nice gifts and Santa buys something like a $20 board game, that’s what your kids will expect. If I could do it over again with my kids, I would buy nice presents for my kids and let Santa buy the smaller ones.

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Melissa Batai

Melissa is a writer and virtual assistant. She earned her Master’s from Southern Illinois University, and her Bachelor’s in English from the University of Michigan. When she’s not working, you can find her homeschooling her kids, reading a good book, or cooking. She resides in Arizona where she dislikes the summer heat but loves the natural beauty of the area.

3 Lessons I Learned Buying Christmas Gifts for Teens

January 5, 2023 | Leave a Comment

Christmas gift shopping for my kids used to be easy and frugal. I’d buy toys I could find on sale. If an item was outside our limited budget, I wasn’t above buying it secondhand. My kids knew I did this, and they didn’t mind because they got the item they wanted.

However, now all three are teens and tweens, and their lists are more expensive and particular. Because of this, I upped my Christmas budget to $150 per child plus stockings, which for our budget, is a lot. However, because of the 3 lessons I learned buying Christmas gifts for teens, I likely won’t spend the same amount next year.

Our Gift Situation

I should clarify that the presents my husband and I give our kids are not their only gifts. My mom gives them several gifts, as do their godparents. Our gifts are only a portion of what they receive.

3 Lessons I Learned Buying Christmas Gifts for Teens

I had determined now that the kids are older (18.5, 14, and 12.5), I would have to spend more to make them happy. However, I learned this year that the assumption is incorrect, so I will likely reduce the Christmas budget next year.

Buy from the List

The one piece of advice I want to give all parents of teens is to buy gifts your teen asks for on their Christmas list. Those gifts were a huge hit; the kids loved them! When we strayed from the list and got something we thought a teen would like, they were disappointed. Buy from the list!

Shop Black Friday Sales

My next piece of advice is to shop Black Friday sales. (Remember, since COVID-19, these sales no longer start the day after Thanksgiving. They often begin a week or two BEFORE Thanksgiving.) Black Friday sales are essential if your child asks for a pricey gift that you can’t afford.

For instance, my 18-year-old wanted Apple Air Pods. As I was only spending $150 per child, these were out of my budget unless I only got him one gift. Yet, a Black Friday sale allowed me to snag some for $80. Because of the deal, he got Apple Air Pods and other presents.

Sometimes Less Is More

Finally, spend the amount you have to spend, but don’t increase your budget because you’re worried about your kids’ expectations, as I was. I learned this year that a few gifts the kids really want are all they need. In fact, one of my kids said, “I got too many gifts this year.” Lesson learned.

Final Thoughts

The 3 lessons I learned buying Christmas gifts for teens this year will help me save money and buy presents my kids want next year. Yes, buying gifts for teens is different than buying gifts for younger kids, but don’t make the experience more challenging. Instead, buy from your kids’ list and stick to the budget. and you will both have a good holiday.

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Our Favorite Stocking Stuffers for Teens

Melissa Batai

The Best Gifts for Teachers

December 8, 2022 | Leave a Comment

‘Tis the time of the year when people like to give gifts to those who help them in their and their children’s lives, such as teachers. I was a teacher for many years, and while I appreciated the gifts I received, many were duplicates or items I didn’t need. I felt bad giving them away or donating them, but there are only so many coffee mugs a person can have (and I don’t even drink coffee!). So, if you’re looking for the best gifts for teachers, here’s what I’d recommend.

Thank You Note

One of the best gifts for teachers is also an economical option—a simple thank-you note. You may not realize this, but teachers frequently have to handle upset parents or students. They also face administrative pressure. So, getting a heartfelt thank-you note stating why you appreciate your teacher is a welcome gift because teachers don’t hear thank you nearly enough.

Gift Cards

Most people don’t know their teachers well enough to know exactly what gift to buy, and even if they do, the teacher may get gifts from several students, so the chance of a repeat gift is high. Avoid that situation by giving the teacher a gift card. Then, the teacher can buy what she needs, for herself or the classroom. Popular gift card choices include bookstores, restaurants, and grocery stores.

Classroom Enrichment

Another idea is to buy something the teacher needs for the classroom.

Board Games

Educational board games like Ticket to Ride and 10 Days in Europe might be welcome because the kids can use them during rainy days when they can’t go out to recess.

Books

Many elementary school teachers have small libraries in their classrooms. A gift of books can help the teacher expand his library at no out-of-pocket cost to him.

Some teachers have classroom wish lists on sites like Amazon. If your child’s teacher has one, you’ll find plenty of welcome gift ideas.

Necessities

While teachers get too many mugs as gifts, they can likely always use what goes in them. For example, coffee is a favorite among teachers, and so is tea. Likewise, you and your child can make a cute hot chocolate kit for the teacher.

At Christmas, teachers frequently get home baked goods like cookies, fudge, and brownies. If they get these gifts from a handful of students, they likely will have more than they can (or should) eat before they go bad. Instead, consider buying cookie or brownie kits so the teachers can make the baked goods when they want them—maybe even in four months!

Final Thoughts

The best gifts for teachers are not mugs or homemade treats (though those are good). Instead, thank you notes, gift cards, and resources for the classroom will likely make the teacher’s holiday season and continue to give for both the teacher and the students long after the holidays are over.

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Melissa Batai