Want - Need - Enjoy

As many of you know, Craig and I purchase three Christmas gifts for each of our children and we use the following guideline: something they really want, something they need, and something we think they would enjoy.

Here's what we got this year - everything has been delivered (online shopping all the way) and is wrapped.

Ella:

mermaid blanket (want) - $21.00
sewing kit (need - practice fine motor skills and creativity) - $23.00
dollhouse with all accessories (enjoy) - $158

Rex:

cup stacking game (want) - $12.00
socks via an adoption fundraiser (need) - $15.00
two new indoor swing attachments (enjoy) - $364 - covered by Rex's county funds, so really $0

Emilia:

new magna doodle and Llama Llama book (want) - $20.00
birthday cake cutting/pretend play set (need - practice fine motor and play skills) - $18.00
dollhouse with all accessories (enjoy) - $0

The girls are getting the doll house as a joint gift, so the cost of that purchase is essentially split.  Total cost of all gifts this year $267 - very reasonable.

Craig and I don't need gifts (unless it's the gift of quality time), but we have learned that giving and receiving presents is one of Ella's love languages, so we gave her an opportunity to earn some money between Thanksgiving and last Friday with the caveat that she could only spend it on others.  She's made some lovely and thoughtful choices for her siblings (finger puppets for Emilia and a light-up spinning toy for Rex) and has a surprise for Craig and me as well.

Another new thing for 2016 is that only one gift per child is from Santa.  Since we do not know how much longer Ella will believe in the jolly fella, we decided it was time to introduce presents from mom and dad this year to make the transition from one to the other easier when it comes.  It ties in nicely with it being the first year Ella is giving gifts herself, so we shall see how it goes.

Here's to four more days till Christmas!