Posted by: Trina | December 12, 2011

With two little ones, the holidays can be both special and stressful. While blog-hopping last year I stumbled upon a post at Dandee Designs about what to give kids for the holiday. The author suggested a somewhat catchy mantra to recite when gift shopping: WANT. NEED. WEAR. READ. Kids get four gifts – something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.

While I see nothing wrong with giving kids a day when their toy dreams come true, but the process of gift buying can be overwhelming. Where to start? And, perhaps more importantly, when to stop?? As a parent, you want to give your kids everything on their lists. But, as a fiscally responsible adult you simply may not be able do that. Further, where do you put it all? The more stuff kids have the less special it all becomes. Following Want. Need. Wear. Read. as a guideline helps parents define what kind of holiday to give your precious babes.

Of course you can sprinkle in some fun stocking-stuffers and special treats. I placed in the cutest little cloth diapers for Evelyn’s dolls but, their main gifts fall into these four categories.

WANT.NEED.WEAR.READ

Evelyn

Want: When I brought up the subject of Santa shortly after Thanksgiving, Evelyn started asking for a “baby bed” at least three times an hour. I found an adorable homemade one on Etsy.com. It has been perfect for her assortment of dolls, and because it lacks obnoxious colors and commercial flair I hope someday her babies will use it as a “baby bed” too.

Need: Evelyn and I spend lots of time every day coloring, so new crayons and coloring books were a welcome addition to the house!

Wear: Evelyn seems to have a growth spurt every other week! She is always in need of some new clothes.

Read: My sister’s boyfriend’s mother gave Evelyn the book “Pinkalicious” last year, and it became her absolute favorite. We both have it memorized, and whenever I read it to her she chants along with me. So, Santa brought her the companion books “Puplicious” and “Goldilicious.”

Mack

Want: What precocious 9 month old boy wouldn’t want a tough recycling truck made from recycled plastic??

Need: My friend Sarah sent me a link about a sippy cup sleeve designed to fit on most 8oz glass canning jars. Since I recently took up canning, I have plenty of glass jars…and since Mack drinks out of a big-boy cup, this is the perfect gift for him!

Wear: Mack is about to grow out of his hand-me-down snowsuit. Time to get him one of his own!

Read: Both Evelyn and Mack really enjoy Richard Scarry’s book “Busy Busy Town” so Santa brought Mack “Cars and Truck’s from A to Z.”

What are some of the WANT. NEED. WEAR. READ gifts you will be buying this year for your little ones?

Guest Blogger

Maureen Smithe Brusznicki is a wife, mother and friend to Mother Nature.  When she's not playing with her kids, experimenting with homemade cleaning products or coo k ing in the kitchen she likes to blog about living a healthy and simple life at Homemade Mothering.