I struggle with stuff. I try to keep things simple. I try to get rid of excess (something I could do more of). For Christmas I decided to once again keep things simple. One present from Santa & one present from myself. The boys each selected a present for each other and then they got one from my parents, one from C's grandparents and one from my brother's family. That is still TOO much but it was good. I rearranged toys and will sort things in the new year to get rid of a thing or two more that they don't play with or need.
J came home from a visit today. He came home with a full black garbage bag of 'stuff'. The driver that dropped him off said that there was even more that was left behind as there wasn't room in her car. I went through the bag and made a list of everything that was in it. Not much was appropriate for an almost 2 year old. I kept out two toys that he'd like and the clothes that would fit him (or he'd grow into in the next few months). Everything else was put back in the garbage bag and put into the basement. On top of that they sent $100 worth of gift cards. His birthday is the end of January. I can't imagine what he'll come home with then. I know that not everyone believes that kids don't need too much stuff. I am trying hard to keep it so that the boys do not have more toys than they can personally clean up themselves. But I want my sons to know who bought them what. I want them to treasure what they have and appreciate it. I want them to be sad when something is lost or broken so they will learn to take care of what they have.
Next week we are visiting family and after that...comes the BIG SPRING CLEAN-UP. I am going to go through every room, closet, drawer and cupboard and downsize and pass along things that we don't need or use. It is amazing how 'stuff' has taken over people's lives. Our great grandparents, they had less than a handful of toys and clothes...and they were happy and content.
I will document my purge so that I am accountable and get it all done. I am bad for starting these kinds of things and not finishing them.
Good for you Amy. I have the same sort of challenges as well with our stuff. This year I am also going to have a huge clean out and garage sale in May (the long weekend here is a big garage sale event and I plan to have my driveway filled!). I agree with you that we all have too much stuff, but I also know its difficult to keep a handle on it - especially when it comes from outside sources.
ReplyDeleteThis year for K's birthday party we had a toonie party and asked everyone to bring donations to the food bank. Incredible what we accumulated, the kids had fun, and the focus was on the fun not the presents. She is going to count her money and then purchase 1 thing with it that she will tresure instead of a mountain of things that will take weeks to find homes for and even enjoy. I plan to do this for P as well, and W in a couple years when he is older and can understand the concept. Until then we will continue to ask people to not shower him with stuff.... us included!
For CO's birthday we had people make cards and bring items for the foodbank. He collected more than two bags worth of items and then after we dropped them off at the foodbank, the foodbank sent him a letter in the mail thanking him.
ReplyDeleteIt also made it so I didn't feel the need to go crazy with goodie bags. And for him it was fun just to have friends playing and having fun with whom he got to share his cake with. Simple and cheap yet full of memories.
For CO he knows about the foodbank because every time we grocery shop he selects items for the foodbank. I think it is a good charity to start with for kids