Commercial Christmas

I participate in the wholly commercial part of Christmas.  I am sucked in by the "have to, need to, want to-s" and I get a pile of gifts for the kids. 

That said, I do try to go with functional before fancy, and I just found myself buying inexpensive furniture for part of their Christmas gifts.  

I apologize in advance, children, you aren't getting iPads, but you may get a new bed, frame!  (I know, BAD MOM!  I also give, UNDERWEAR.  Ooo!)

 
Again, I am completely overwhelmed with the cost of things.  

We are in need of several three beds, two met their demise (Thank You Bob's Furniture!) and need to be replaced.  But, at the cost of replacing them with real solid wood sturdy furniture not from Bob's Discount Furniture?  Laugh-able.  Hundreds to thousands of dollars.   (I looked, and looked.)

So, metal framed inexpensive beds it is.

Also consider anything that is purchased for one child in a house of four children -- also -- may have to be duplicated.  You cannot buy one without buying another something equivalent. 

It already happened this week, "Why didn't I get those shoes with the straaaaaaaaaaaaaap?  I told you I WANTED THOOOOOOSE OOOOONES."

Even if one kid got "an iPad," we would have at least one other crying over not getting it.  (And that's just Dad.)  

How about new shiny bikes for everybody?  Sure -- but -- one kid already has a fancy 100,000 speed bike at the grandmother's house so anything I buy will appear like it dropped out of a cereal box.  Never mind.

Sharing -- that's funny -- what a concept!   But, no.  

I scroll down the lists, to "iPod."  Swell!  That is cheaper, see?  It's only $200something.  But, again, if I get ONE, I have to get at least TWO, and probably THREE, and if I was going to spend $650.00 -- I WOULD BUY BEDS!  See?  Functional before fun.

This isn't to say the kids aren't getting toys.   But the toys have to be something very easy to share -- or very child specific so that no one CARES about it.  Like:  HALO themed Legos.  "Fun."  Let's just say he is the easiest to shop for, until he makes a wish list filled with Airsoft Guns and cries because you say "No more guns."  (I don't buy guns or video games.  They've both served to increase d r a m a in this house.)  But otherwise, I am adrift in Star Wars and sarcastic tee shirts -- and it's FUN!

The kids' lists are each completed a bit, but I can't imagine following through with the insane demands of mini-fridges and expensive electronics.  (You saw the lists, right?  OO!!)  I just won't.  I can only imagine VERUCA.  

"I want a golden goose."  

No.  No golden gooses until the basics are covered, AND you clean your room.  Thanks.