Should we? I don't know..

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We still haven't gotten our federal taxes back yet.. they've been delayed because we're claiming education credits due to being in school. The IRS finally just accepted them yesterday so we will get them back in another couple weeks or so. We did get our state taxes but the entire thing went to catch up on bills and that's gone now (we just got it yesterday!). But that's not the point.. Hubby and I have been having a little debate over whether or not we're going to let the kids pick out something for themselves with our tax money. In years past that's what we've done. We let them get something that they wanted from a toy store. Last year they each picked out a DS. This year the twins want iPods while the 6 year old wants a new DS. Now here's my dilemma.. I did sort of promise the kids they'd be able to buy something nice for themselves with our tax money because Christmas was a little tighter than expected. But now that we're planning on how to spend the tax money.. I really don't want to waste it on needless items such as toys and electronics. My goal this year was to try to save as much of the tax money as possible to help us out through the rest of the year when things get tight. Aside from catching up on the rest of the bills and doing some necessary car repairs, I really had no intentions of spending a dime of the tax returns. Of course this is contrary to our usual routine of going on major shopping sprees until the entire return is gone within a week.. so understandably the rest of the family is having a hard time digesting my plans. Well.. hubby is anyway. I haven't really told the kids the plan yet to see how they feel. Sadly hubby thinks this will just make them feel depressed and dejected. At least one of the kids already doesn't bother asking for things he wants or needs because the usual answer is "We can't afford it". Hubby and I have not yet decided if we think this is a good trait (understanding the importance of money and living without unnecessary items) or a bad one (not bothering to mention anything because he's certain he'll be told no.. even when it's not that expensive). Hubby thinks we should just go ahead and let the kids spend a little bit.. seeing as how I did promise them at Christmas that they could.. and then we can save the rest. He's sure we'll still have plenty left over even if we do go on minor shopping trips. I'm of a different mind frame. I've seen how quickly that money can disappear.. even though it's a large return. In the past I've sat there scratching my head, adding it all up, trying to figure out where it all went.. and never could! That's why I'm feeling like it's best to avoid all shopping trips at all and just throw it all into savings (after bills and car repairs) and be strict with ourselves about using it. Maybe we can come up with a solution.. to give each of the kids a set spending amount and they can't go over that amount. That might cover all of our bases.. I get to save as much as possible by not giving anyone free reign of the cash... and the kids get to learn the importance of being thrifty. If I give them each $100 they won't be able to get the iPods they want, but they might be able to find a cheaper MP3 player within their budget! What are your thoughts? What are your plans for your tax returns.. or have you already gotten and used them?