How Much AG To Give At Christmas?

[MissMooMoo]

Just because presents are great! When I was a kid, sometimes my parents would get me something for helping around the house, a good job on a school assignment, etc. It was so often that it wasn't special, but they didn't always want to wait until birthday or Christmas to do something for me.

You might also set up a system where your daughters could "earn" an AG item by doing their chores regularly, doing their homework, etc.

[colettedenali]

I love the Advent idea. You could give a gift each week of Advent, or something little each day.

When I was younger, my father's students (he was a German professor) sold chocolate Advent calendars to raise money- he always bought them for us. I loved the daily treat of opening the little doors. I wish they'd had the Playmobil Advent calendars back then! My grandmother has sent us some gorgeous old ones as well.

I love Christmas traditions. The weekly ornament one sounds so lovely. I hope I can give my future children the memories you ladies are sharing with yours.

[marisol05]

Thanks for this thread. I, too, am having this dilemma. Since buying my AGs, I've bought quite a few clothing and accessories from ebay and private sellers. I was worried about overwhelming my dd (she's 6). I want her to be able to enjoy and appreciate each item. You ladies posted some great ideas. Thank you so much. [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

[beccachris]

Meg~ I did the same thing last Christmas and tried to package some things "together" so it wouldn't seem like so much.

Lea~ I agree, it is probably more we want it than our DD's wanting it. Anytime DD says "oh, I like that AG item" then I immediately think "ack, I must go buy that now"! I have no self control! [img]eek.gif[/img] I also buy stuff and tell her it's mine, but I'll let her keep it in her room.

The main problem I run into is that I try to spend equal amount/have equal number of gifts for DD and DS. DS is only 6 (almost 7) and I have a terrible time finding stuff that he really likes. He loves video games - xbox, gameboy, etc. - but you can only buy so many of them. Has tons of legos, fisher price imaginext stuff, etc. I have NO idea what to get him for Christmas. (He is very against an AG for Christmas - I already asked - LOL!! [img]tongue.gif[/img] )

[pajamarose]

The main problem I run into is that I try to spend equal amount/have equal number of gifts for DD and DS. DS is only 6 (almost 7) and I have a terrible time finding stuff that he really likes. He loves video games - xbox, gameboy, etc. - but you can only buy so many of them. Has tons of legos, fisher price imaginext stuff, etc. I have NO idea what to get him for Christmas. (He is very against an AG for Christmas - I already asked - LOL!!

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I have the same problem with my son. He is 18 years now and all he wants is money! I figured I could wrap a $20 bill in a box and times that by however many I choose to give. Wouldn't that be a hoot to open box after box with a $20 bill in it. I really am not sure what to give him. [img]confused.gif[/img]

My dd's are also the caretakers of my AG stuff! [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

Lea

[img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img]

[mltperdue]

I can so relate to what you all are saying about buying soooo much and stashing it away. My only worry is that we really only have a fairly narrow window of opportunity in which to give them AG stuff before they grow out of wanting to play with it!!

I am completely overdoing it, but dd will get Elizabeth, the table/chairs and all the sets (choc., tea, treats) to go with it, Penny, Felicity's bed, and Eliz. bedding, from Santa this year. Then I also got Marisol and her whole world for her. Yikes. I just can't see holding on to one of the dolls until next Christmas, or her birthday. I also have other stuff for her, and I really love the suggestions of boxing things together in boxes according to character, or activity, or book. Excellent suggestions.

I just want her to enjoy playing with her dolls and their accessories while she's still interested in it. I think she will still want to collect even after she outgrows playing dolls, but I can't help myself from buying her lots of stuff now - perhaps it's my way of compensating for her impending adolescence. I'm trying to pack as much into her last few years of childhood as I possibly can, I guess. [img]graemlins/cry_smile.gif[/img]

Lisa

[pajamarose]

Lisa - I soooo relate!

I guess we all feel pretty much the same way when it comes to our dd's and AG.

Lea

[img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img]

[Kaileyfan1]

Money is the perfect gift for your son.This year we are not even having 1 gift from AG because I had an AG birthday.I like the advent thing though.

[jrtmom3274]

Anyone who has too many gifts for their daughters can adopt me!!!! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ponydreamer]

I have to admit, I cannot shop for my daughter until closer to Christmas. Granted...she doesn't collect AG anymore, ( she's 18), but I still go crazy wild shopping for her. I almost bought her some really awesome artist jewelry that other day, but I stopped myself. I have found that the key to keeping things under control, is to wait to shop.

As far as my son...he is really, really hard to shop for. I have gotten him clothing the last few years, but he shops for himself during the year. He looks like a Abercrombe add most of the time! LOL!!! Last year we also gave him money...one large bill wrapped up in a pretty box. He was grateful, but he has more money to spend than us, anyway! So, I have no idea what to get him!

I guess I would give your daughters the things you have, for Christmas. Just don't buy any more! LOL!!!! I have a big stash of things for my nieces, and now they are asking for other AG things for Christmas. So I am going to sell most of what I have for them, and get them something they want. I don't know if I will buy ahead for them anymore.

By the way...all my daughter would need to do is ask me for something AG, and I would be on the phone.... [img]tongue.gif[/img]