How to Plan for Children’s Christmas Gifts Without Stress

It’s the hap-happiest time of year, right? Then why do I always feel so stressed trying to decide what to get my kids for Christmas or know what to tell family members when they ask what my kids would like? For the past couple of years, we’ve had a plan which I think works very nicely.

I give my kids each a different color marker and whatever toy catalog we received in the mail. I tell them to circle the things they really want. Usually, Target but Amazon has started sending one too. If you have not received a catalog you can pick one up at a Target store or view it here. Also, other online toy lists are found at Amazon and Wal-Mart. For older kids, you could have them create an online Amazon wish list from the Holiday Toy List page.

I tell them that there’s no guarantee they’ll get the things they circle/list but I would like to know the things they like best. Once they’re finished, I sort through the circles and make my own list based on if they already have a similar toy, the toy is appropriate for their age and ability, and the level of cost. Then I’ll pick which item we’ll get them and make a list of the things to tell relatives if they ask.

Let me back up a bit here and talk about how we do Christmas in our household. We are not big on Santa. The boys know the gifts are from us, not Santa. Still, we try to make the holiday as magical as possible. By the way, we also talk to them about not being the anti-Santa kid at school.

Three Gifts for Each Child

We gift each child three gifts only with a few small things in their stockings. The three gifts are based on the idea of giving gold, frankincense, and myrrh as the wise men brought Jesus at his birth. Yes, we know about the controversy that three may have been the wrong number of wise men but we do three anyway.

The gold gift is something your child really wants and is the most valuable. We discover this from the toy catalog method above. The gold gift could be a new bike, a nerf bow and arrow, a new Barbie Dream House–just something they’ll love!

It doesn’t have to be extremely expensive either. One year when Dean was a baby we got him a little light-up plastic ball. He was crazy about that ball, still is. Although we like to give experiences as gifts from time to time we usually save those for birthdays or other special occasions. We love the idea of our kids opening a tangible gift, something that really blows them away on Christmas morning.

The frankincense gift has to do with something to help them grow spiritually; get closer to God. Like a new Bible, devotional book or songs about God. I like to walk around a Christian book store such as Mardel or online at Lifeway looking for something I think they’d like. Since I get asked about these gifts I’ve listed some here. The list starts with gift ideas for babies and goes up through middle elementary-aged children.

• Lift the Flap Bible (Board Book)
• Little People Nativity Set
• Wee Sing Bible Songs CD
• Devotions for Beginning Readers
• The Jesus Storybook Bible
• Seeds Family Worship CD, Jesus
• The Action Bible

Also, the Kids Read Truth Worship Journal and Bible verse wall cards seem like good picks.

The myrrh gift is something for the body. We buy shoes, clothes, even underwear, but fun superhero underwear of course. Anything they need for their bodies that they don’t have at the time.

The three gift limit really helps when I get bombarded with all the cool stuff at the store and browsing online. Since we follow this plan it really makes the holiday season a lot less stressful. Not to mention the budget benefit.

How do your kids come up with their wish list? I would love to hear how your family handles gifts to your children?

You may also like, Top Stocking Stuffer Toy Ideas for Kids or 5 Board Games 5-Year-Olds Will Love (and you will too).

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