Gifts

[knoxmomof2]

Before last Christmas, I did more for all of the Holidays. But the parents were rarely thankful and I realized I was just wasting my money.

If the kid has been with me for awhile, I get them a birthday gift (I spend $25, but I only keep 4 children). For Christmas last year, I made 1 hardcover photo books (Regular $27, but they had a promo code that made them $10 each) and just ordered a copy for each family. The kids made different treats and ornaments each week in December- that was their gift to their parents and the photo books were my gift to the kids and their parents.

We do small crafts for Mothers and Fathers Day and make / decorate cupcake and play games for Easter, Valentine's, etc. They're inexpensive and more about quality time than spending a bunch of money.

I'm done wasting my money on parents who don't appreciate it.

[Blackcat31]

I used to give toys for birthdays and Christmas. But, my munchkins have sooo many toys that I feel they don't really need me to add to the clutter!

I started gifting books a couple of years ago.

I agree, most kids have sooooo much stuff already that it's ridiculous. I think the gift expectation on a birthday or holiday has gotten out of hand in recent years. I've had DC kids that I've hardly had for a full season say "What are you buying me for my birthday?" or say "Can you get me this for Third Wednesday of the Month?"

Plus I have a dozen+ daycare kids.....that's ALOT of money to spend so I go the book route as well. Not just for cost alone but because I'd rather give a meaningful gift verses a disposable one that really served no purpose.

In the last couple years I've started offering parents the day for free if they take it off and spend it with their child celebrating their special day. About half my parents take the option.