Three Gifts

Perhaps the biggest epiphany we had during the Christmas season was that we could give them gifts at other times of the year.

It just hit me like a ton of bricks. I can buy stuff next month on sale and by then I may not want it anyway. I don't have to go out and get all the other kids one more stupid gift that they will never play with just because Jonathan has eight gifts and they only have seven.

What freedom! What euphoria! No more Christmas Eve shopping!

The number that we decided on was 3. Thats right. Just three things to open on Christmas morning. Thats 15 presents under the tree. Thats IT. No more.... well maybe something little in the stocking..... but thats IT.

One of the kids wanted a go-cart. Lets wait til' spring! Why spend all our $$$ in December? One kid wanted a transforming monster thingy that slimed. " Are you SURE thats in your top 3?" mu-hah-hah-hah (I laughed silently because I HATE those things....)

Another kid complains. "Only three gifts? awwww man."

"That's right. Three gifts. Baby Jesus only got three gifts. You think you are better than baby Jesus?"

The kids still got stuff from grandparents, cousins, and friends. Christmas was still a crap fest. You know what I mean. After all the dust settles, there is new crap (and a few nice things) everywhere. The kids made each other some very creative gifts out of toilet paper rolls, glue and string (if that helps you imagine what a crap fest looks like).

My hope is that as the years go by, our three gift policy will bring some sanity to the gift giving process and be a lasting tradition that helps us remember the extravagance of the Gift that was given to all of us.