No Spoil Zone

For the first time in a couple of years I didn't go out shopping on black Friday. I really wasn't in the mood and I didn't really have the money to spend anyway.
Instead I am carefully selecting gifts for the kids, something that they will love and has lasting playing power. Not just anything that is a great price like I will usually buy, with no thought to if they will like it after the first ten minutes.

I don't want my kids to become spoiled, I don't want them to assume, like other children in our family, that if you ask for it you will get it, no matter the cost. I want them to know about giving, about how some children have no toys, never mind the decision of which one to play with.
Every year I buy gifts for a child R & L's age. We also donate to other charities, but this makes me feel better about teaching my kids what the season is all about. I let them pick out gifts for a boy or girl (each year I switch) and we wrap them together.
This year they really get it.
I love that.


Oh, and visit me over at my other site and let me know what you do when you have a child with a BAD cough.