Went nuts for Easter
By soccermom
@soccermom (3198)
United States
April 7, 2007 5:20pm CST
Hubby and I went Easter shopping today for our kids baskets. We both agreed they didn't need a lot of candy, but we also agredd, in my own words "Remember this isn't Christmas." We came home with close to $200 in stuff, and I can honestly say we only spent $10 on candy! My 17 month old is getting a TMX Elmo(my fault, I couldn't resist), a spiderman phone, anew firetruck, and a singing Backyardigan. My 4 year old is getting a new Dora hat, a Dora art set, a 50 tub thing of playdoh, a playdoh play set and a Happy Feet DVD. My 11 year old is getting this Bratz hair n makeup doll, a new game for her DS and some lip glosses, nail polish, bubble bath, etc...girly stuff. We got home and I was like what the heck did we do? We can afford it, but it totally went against what I set out for. Does anyone else spoil there kids like this on holidays? I feel like a hypocrit because we always end up going hog wild but yet I run around screaming how unnecessary it is to "spoil" the children!
5 people like this
16 responses
@awonderfullife (2893)
• United States
7 Apr 07
I went crazy like that a few years ago- buying, among other things, an expensive Disney princess dress up chest and a huge Littlest Petshop set for my daughter. So now she thinks the Easter bunny is like Santa! This year I kept it simple, with just a little candy, some books, Play Doh and some Moon Sand. Oh, I also bought each of my kids a Webkins. I did this at the last minute-- today-- because I was feeling guilty that I had only bought a little candy. I'd rather give them small gifts than a bunch of sugary treats! It's all fun-- they're only little for a short time so I just enjoy it!
Have a Happy Easter!!!
3 people like this
@mamasan34 (6518)
• United States
7 Apr 07
You sure did go hog wild didn't ya!!! I used to do the same thing when my daughter was younger. She is 12 now, and I only got her a nice little basket for tomorrow. But this weekend, we went to the mall, went out to eat and I bought a huge amount of food for tomorrow. We don't really go out of our way to celebrate Easter anymore. She is too old for easter egg hunts and all of that. It is definitely hard not to spoil the kids during holidays though. I would just keep in mind what the holiday is for and at least let the kids know about it. Sometimes we get to carried away with the commercial side of things and don't concentrate on the spiritual side.
3 people like this
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
8 Apr 07
Your last statement is so true mama. Easter is my favorite holiday, but it is because I know it is the one holiday that my whole family, inlaws and my sisters inlaws too will be at my moms house. I absolutely love it!
2 people like this
@mobyfriend (1017)
• Netherlands
8 Apr 07
This is the first time I've heard of giving gifts for Easter. Flowers and chocolate eggs I know but not giving toys.
btw What did you and your hubby get yourselves for Easter?
2 people like this
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
8 Apr 07
The look on the kids faces when they found their baskets was gift enough. And they allslept in, if you count 7:30 as sleeping in, LOL, so it was kind of their gift to us.
1 person likes this
@poppoppop111 (5731)
• Canada
8 Apr 07
i spent about $100 on my daughter. but it's something she needed. she's grown out of her trycicle she had last year so i bought her a new ariel bike. we play outside all summer so it will definately be worth it. then i bought her a bunny basket and put some jelly beans, a stuffed duck (from the dollar store) and some bubbles stuff and some floam (like playdoh to put in the basket. and then i'll hide those little eggs for her to find.
3 people like this
@theponch (198)
• United States
8 Apr 07
I'd feel like hypocrit too, I'm one who is more simple minded. I have enough of a problem with everyone else trying to spoil my children. It has actually caused behavioral problems for them thus far in their life. I have a 7 year old and a 10 year old; I told them that the bunny has big ears and he loves to give little girls earrings for easter. This was an easy way to get out of spending a ton of money, especially since my husband has been layed of work for quite some time now. Next time you think about holiday gifts, keep the thought of others who have nothing in mind. It may save you money and heartache in the future. Our celebration of easter is to color a huge amount of eggs and go to the local easter egg hunt. Maybe you could try something like this next year. As for the 17 month old smaller and more affordable gifts mean just as much, since he knows no more than the price of your love and the time you can spend with him. The Ponch's Wife
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
11 Apr 07
Please don't think by the response I am about to give that I took offense to yours in any way. Easter has always been my favorite holiday, and I like to keep it as "mine" if that makes sense. Christmastime I organize a fundraiser for the local center that specializes in free advocacy for children that have been sexually assaulted and their families, last year we raised almost $10,000. I donate my time and services throughout the year for people less fortunate than I. I see where you're coming from though, and aprreciate your response.
1 person likes this
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
8 Apr 07
Wow, you sure did go all out. I imagine that a lot of parents do, too, though - it's so fun when there is a reason to buy presents and treats.
2 people like this
@rracers89 (3246)
• United States
8 Apr 07
WoW you really did go all out didnt you. I went a little over board myself. its not hard to do though.I have 2 kids and they each got 2 new dvd, some fun games and they each got a chocolate bunny, bubbles, and playdoh, neat writung pads, markers, crayons and stuff like that. I dont like them to have to much candy and I know the grandpaernt will have plenty of that. Happy Easter.
2 people like this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
8 Apr 07
some times it is just hard not to spoil at least ya didnt get much candy which is good the only restaint we had was no stuffed animals and we were good but she is getting alot of candy but that will be doled out over the months to come form me any way her daddy is different and so is mommy
2 people like this
@ladymoonstone143 (1507)
• United States
9 Apr 07
My toddler is now into dressing up so what we just bought for her and put it on her basket is a Snow White outfit. She already got lots of candy from Easter egg hunt and I am constantly buying her little things everytime we go to the store. So, when she got her basket, she was so excited that she wanted to wear her dress for the whole day. Her 3rd bday is coming up and I am thinking that every special occasion, I will complete her with all the Disney Princess costume. It will come out pretty cheap...lol. But she has so much and like what you are saying...when she saw her gift, her expression is just priceless.
@aretha (2538)
• United States
8 Apr 07
i always do! this year we had so much we couldn't fit it all in their baskets. so i had to take the little eggs out with soap and stickers and little toys and put them with the eggs for their egg hunt later in the day. my two oldest are getting new bikes and some clothes our youngs a jump up and clothes. plus there baskets are so full and not with much candy that it is towered in the baskets and as soon as they touch them its all gonna fall.
2 people like this
@daycarepal (1998)
• United States
7 Apr 07
It's hard not to spoil them. I have 2 children that are older. One lives on her own out of state. I made sure that I got to the post office last week and mailed her an Easter box full of goodies. She doesn't like alot of candy so I only included a little. But I got her other things she likes such as candles and accessories. I got her a few things for her apartment. My son is a teenager and he told me all he cares about getting is the peanut butter eggs! LOL. They are the ones that are chocolate outside and have a peanut butter filling.
2 people like this
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
8 Apr 07
My huuby literally bought a case of Reeses peanut butter eggs, they're hiding in our closet and only he eats them ! LOL
1 person likes this
@tinamwhite (3252)
• United States
8 Apr 07
Soccermom, You are not alone. We did the same thing with our 3 grown children and are probably worse with our 4 yr old son. I really see no harm in it if: 1. They are good kids--you know what I mean. 2. If you can afford to do so. 3. If they realize that they are lucky and do not "expect" it to just be that way.
After all, you can only be a kid once, and life as an adult can be difficult to say the least...so I say, spoil them and encourage them to be a kid as long as they can (within reason--this does not apply to the 25+). LOL
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
8 Apr 07
They were so happy and surprised when they got up this morning! They're playing with their toys and the look on their faces is just priceless.
1 person likes this
@taymouse (585)
• United States
8 Apr 07
Wow that's a lot of stuff! My parents didn't even buy anything for us kids this year, not even for my eight year old brother. Luckily he's forgotten that the Easter bunny was supposed to come for the time being... But no, we don't even have any Easter candy or anything.
2 people like this
@monkeywriter (2004)
• United States
8 Apr 07
I LOVE easter candy! I know its NOT about the candy mind you, we celebrate the right way. But I love going to the store the DAY AFTER easter and getting stocked up on half off candy.
My favorites in this order are:
1. Dove truffle eggs (TO DIE FOR!)
2. Caberry eggs (classic of course!)
3. Reese peanut butter eggs (come out also at valentine & christmas but still rock!)
I also love having an easter bunny to slowly eat. Its yummy! Got me all excited now. I've been sick so limited on chocolate. Tomorrow and next I will go to town ;) I'm bad I love chocolate :))
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