Stone Soup by Jan Eliot for November 28, 2012

spoken like a spoiled 9 year old. Maybe Evie can persuade her grandchildren to volunteer at a shelter on Christmas Day so they see just how good they have it.

“Spoken like a spoiled 9 year old”? More like a selfish 9 year old.

Yes, this is a normal kids’ reaction. We all work so hard to make life better for our kids, but then we complain that they’re so selfish. You can make them aware of and help others who are less fortunate, but that usually doesn’t mean taking away presents at age 9.

This is how I grew up. We got one “big” present and maybe a couple of smaller things. Other kids I knew always got more. Was I envious; Sure! But I knew my folks werent wealthy and the older I got, the more I understood the real reason for the holiday and the symbolism of the gift. Granted, it was the dark ages… The 60s and 70s…. But I believe my folks did the right thing.

It always bothered me when adults who had been showered with gifts when they were young pull the “let’s limit the presents” when it’s time to buy gifts for the kids, while, at the same time, they don’t cut down on chain smoking and trips to the liquor store. BAH. On the other hand, it is ridiculous when people go into debt buying a mountain of expensive gifts for their kids. We usually got one big present, and several smaller presents, and by smaller I mean $5 or $10 presents, not $100 presents.

I miss the days when my children were small and loved everything they got ..not expensive gifts just things they were interested in. Do you remember the days when the right action figure would be the main present?? Clothes were always appreciated?

I suggest having Alix wrap other people’s gifts. My nine-year-old granddaughter (the most industrious and artistic one) wrapped the gifts last year, when I wasn’t up there.

At Christmas, we would get “presents” like socks and underwear or other items of clothing. Of course there might be one toy, but there wasn’t the variety that there is today. Still didn’t have calculators let alone computers back then.

The ’40’s was kinda sparse, but we lived. Making up ‘home-stuff’ packages for cousins and friends overseas in the war. Snow-pants, underwear, knitted sox, pencils and crayons was just about it for all us kids..Girls got dolls, but I sure wish that electric train would get here pretty soon… Time’s gettin’ short !

Somebodyshort; Better clear your checkbook, too.. Them ol’ Lionels cost $19.95 a set back in the day… Today, they’re worth 1.63 tons of money !! Sure wish’t I had one to sell today !!Hope the UPS guy is kind to you this season !Cheers..

This wouldn’t work for my uncle’s family. His kids ONLY got gifts at Christmas — no other time of year (like, I’m talking, not even a pencil all year long) — so only getting a really small item at Christmas would not do. Usually, they have enough gifts at Christmas to take up half the entire family room! But if you’re like most families and buy items all year long, then smaller gifts at Christmas is reasonable.

Alix is a typically developing 9 yr old. Still egocentric. It goes the other way too, children that aren’t used to getting stuff/anything even underwear for Christmas can be overwhelmed when they get a lot of gifts. Some hoard and some start EXPECTING society to give them lots. And some children are thankful for whatever they get. And Alix and Holly will learn to view society outside of their home. They are very fortunate that their single parent household is stable with extended family for emotional & physical support.

Hmm I never got more than 1 toy type present from family at Christmas all the while I was growing up. Today I feel no special need to shower any child in the family with gifts on a holiday. And none of the family expects me or any other member of our family to.If someone really wants something they earn the money from doing odd jobs, allowances or similar means. All of our family tells the kids right from the start that they have a limited budget and where the money goes. No money secrets. No pretending we have more or less than we do and no hurt feelings or pouting if something Wanted is passed over for something Needed.Surprisingly our kids are normal, healthy, well balanced and never been in serious trouble with the law or have needed psychiatric help. Wonder if there’s a connection?

For a kid, the most enjoyable part of the holiday is opening presents!