tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post1092241035177595960..comments2024-03-01T00:28:27.209-05:00Comments on Hello Ello: Buying Books instead of ToysEllo - Ellen Ohhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311917335471167591noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-88146565604684518082008-11-09T17:11:00.000-05:002008-11-09T17:11:00.000-05:00Ello, your kids are hysterical!!! And buy them a ...Ello, your kids are hysterical!!! And buy them a flippin toy, please, just one... I get the rule, believe me, my yearly goodwill pile is astounding, and often full of never used toys, but still...<br><br>This reminds me of a story - my best friend's cousin, who was a terror. I mean really a terror. Full range of swear words, constantly into trouble, the whole nine yards.<br><br>When he was four, his mother took him to see Santa at the mall. They stood in the long line, with his little sister fussing the whole way (she was an infant). His mother was about at her wits end, trying to keep him from untucking his shirt and messing up his hair before the big picture with santa.<br><br>Finally, they were the first in line and as the grumbly teenager dressed as an elf undid the little rope to let them in, her four year old ran barrelling up the red carpet before she could get her hand on him.<br><br>When she caught up, there here four year old stood, right in front of Santa's throne, little hands on his hips and one foot tapping as he said,<br><br>"Now listen here, santa, my mom's gonna tell you a bunch of lies about me. Don't believe her! I've been a very good boy this year."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-12859929936799897972008-11-09T18:10:00.000-05:002008-11-09T18:10:00.000-05:00Sometimes I'm sooo glad I have plants. *L* Kin...Sometimes I'm sooo glad I have plants. *L* Kind of funny--I fear I'm creating an opposite problem at my brother's place, as I send my nephews boxes & boxes of books (& only the occassional toy.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-27395607624237251662008-11-09T18:12:00.000-05:002008-11-09T18:12:00.000-05:00When Beth was about six, she noticed the strings o...When Beth was about six, she noticed the strings on the side of Santa's beard. She pulled down his beard and screamed "You aren't the real Santa, what have you done with Santa?" Of course all of the other kids in line were horrified and I was so embarrassed. I had to explain to Beth that since Santa can't be in so many places at once, he has to hire helpers at Christmas time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-1186165168040791382008-11-09T18:14:00.000-05:002008-11-09T18:14:00.000-05:00Oh you are tough! If we all say please will you g...Oh you are tough! If we all say please will you get them just one toy? Puh-leeeeease!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-21833837636596740892008-11-09T19:55:00.000-05:002008-11-09T19:55:00.000-05:00Ello, I love this idea. I ALWAYS ask everyone to ...Ello, I love this idea. I ALWAYS ask everyone to get my kids books instead of toys. I even offer to give suggestions in case people are worried about what books to get. And they never do it; they all look at my kids like "Oh, you poor toy-deprived honeys. Don't let your MamaGrinch make you worried. Gramma's gonna get you some Polly Pockets."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-80892413325326670702008-11-09T21:55:00.000-05:002008-11-09T21:55:00.000-05:00Well, they *do* make a strong case!:-)Well, they *do* make a strong case!<br>:-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-68657941282005145052008-11-09T22:48:00.000-05:002008-11-09T22:48:00.000-05:00your kids are waaaaaaaaaaaaay too smart. seriously...your kids are waaaaaaaaaaaaay too smart. seriously, man. you're going to be in such deep doodoo in about 5 years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-62864238597474504092008-11-09T23:00:00.000-05:002008-11-09T23:00:00.000-05:00Oh...but Ello my boys (who are 24 and 21) still ha...Oh...but Ello my boys (who are 24 and 21) still have their Optimus Prime and others. And Kara still has all her teddy bears - which she wanted more than dolls. I always give tons of books but the Barbie Swimming Pool - ohhhh, that sounds like fun too.<br><br>How 'bout one toy and one book? I can't help being an advocate for the kids. Sorry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-42281602420273493132008-11-09T23:31:00.000-05:002008-11-09T23:31:00.000-05:00You guys have no idea how many toys these girls al...You guys have no idea how many toys these girls already have!!!! You'd never know we are only average government and non-profit attorneys from all the crazy crap these kids have! And while we are at fault for some, most come from grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents and friends and large birthday parties which I have already vowed to stop throwing. Seriously, I already know that they are gonna get toys despite my request for books and clothes instead (relatives and friends are notorious for not listening to parents!) and so I must ban Santa from bringing toys this year. It will be much better this way (especially for my sanity!).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-91465900563791967122008-11-09T23:58:00.000-05:002008-11-09T23:58:00.000-05:00I say we "Scrooged" them . . . a nice cut of meat ...I say we "Scrooged" them . . . a nice cut of meat for each (OK at least filet, but youngest gets the petite cut).<br><br>Da' ManAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-16638466445802276522008-11-10T10:09:00.000-05:002008-11-10T10:09:00.000-05:00books are good..toys are good. Get the one toy th...books are good..toys are good. Get the one toy they "really" want and that way they think Santa really knows what is up. Just my 2 cents.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-17882303438777165452008-11-10T10:33:00.000-05:002008-11-10T10:33:00.000-05:00I SO agree, LOL! I buy my niece and nephew books e...I SO agree, LOL! I buy my niece and nephew books every year, and I don't care whether they want them or not. I insist. They should have books!!! (They have very few.)<br><br>And they're pretty awesome books, I might add.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-64373669433183922802008-11-10T10:42:00.000-05:002008-11-10T10:42:00.000-05:00Brownie points with Santa - LOVE it!Brownie points with Santa - LOVE it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-31945619637663580572008-11-10T13:42:00.000-05:002008-11-10T13:42:00.000-05:00Well, maybe Santa will slip in one actual "play" t...Well, maybe Santa will slip in one actual "play" toy, yet the truth is that I give books for "Toys for Tots." :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-47225819276448490502008-11-10T14:01:00.000-05:002008-11-10T14:01:00.000-05:00It was tradition for my grandmother to always get ...It was tradition for my grandmother to always get me two annuals for Christmas. On Christmas Eve we were always allowed to open one present under the tree (I now realise this was a ploy on my mother's part so she could get peace to prepare for the following day), and I would always open the annuals. I'd read them by the fire, in my PJ's, whilst eating something from a selection box (most likely a Twix or a Mars Bar). I'm now getting misty-eyed at the memory of the Batman 1978 annual, or The Empire Strikes Back from 1980, and then there was a particularly good Spider-Man.<br><br>I still wanted my Star Wars action figures from Santa, though...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-4600847412601685562008-11-10T14:35:00.000-05:002008-11-10T14:35:00.000-05:00I was always thrilled to get books for Christmas. ...I was always thrilled to get books for Christmas. Toys, too, of course. And I hear you about how quickly the playthings are forgotten--it's a shame. Our garage has become a toy graveyard. <br><br>You are right that we can't control what the relatives do--no matter how often we tell my mom to lay off and not buy the kids more than we do, she never follows through. <br><br>I'm sure Oldest, Angus, and Youngest will still be spoiled plenty. ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-6332903874884298792008-11-10T16:06:00.000-05:002008-11-10T16:06:00.000-05:00Oh, Ello, I SOOOOO hear you on this one!! Serious...Oh, Ello, I SOOOOO hear you on this one!! Seriously, each year, Santa can't even remotely keep up with what the In-Laws shower upon our children!!<br><br>In-Laws: $200 Scooter and all the accessories.<br><br>Santa: Play-Dough<br><br>In-Laws: Near Life-size pony that "eats" carrots, neighs, and can be sat upon.<br><br>Santa: Books<br><br>In my kids opinion, I am sure that Santa Sucks. (sigh)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-22069523557705262742008-11-10T16:49:00.000-05:002008-11-10T16:49:00.000-05:00Hi Ello,For me, I think the best way to avoid the ...Hi Ello,<br>For me, I think the best way to avoid the "gimmes" is to actually take them to the food bank and elsewhere. To me, giving to "Goodwill" means they put old toys in a metal bin. It doesn't mean much. The bin represents "poor people." GOING to the food bank or homeless shelter, or going to Christmas Mother, or packing things for an actual family to leave on their porch, etc. they associate it with real need. I give my kids presents--and yes, I think the 5-day rule TOTALLY applies. But I also feel like the practical way, for me, to combat the excess is giving in a real sense that they see.<br><br>I never thought the message was getting into my Oldest's brain. You never met a bigger brat when it came to labels and clothes. But I still kept dragging her (and the other three) places. Then when she was 17, she suddenly started packing up whole dinners on the nights she had orchestra rehearsal. I asked her if she was THAT hungry? I mean sandwiches and loaves of bread. Turns out she was feeding homeless down by the rehearsal hall.<br><br>EAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-38998545509299411882008-11-10T17:09:00.000-05:002008-11-10T17:09:00.000-05:00lol... brilliant, on all fronts :)lol... brilliant, on all fronts :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-26192987572750737202008-11-10T21:44:00.000-05:002008-11-10T21:44:00.000-05:00Oh, mom in scrubs, that is my life too.Oh, mom in scrubs, that is my life too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-63781070204134701402008-11-10T22:57:00.000-05:002008-11-10T22:57:00.000-05:00He he. So cute and funny. My daughter has been t...He he. So cute and funny. My daughter has been telling us she doesn't like Santa, but then the toy catalogs appeared and all of a sudden she's having a change of tune.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-90699482811682602042008-11-11T06:00:00.000-05:002008-11-11T06:00:00.000-05:00books and art supplies are all i tell people to ge...books and art supplies are all i tell people to get my kids...<br><br>great work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4595491177347226789.post-17117303021941513562008-11-11T20:45:00.000-05:002008-11-11T20:45:00.000-05:00So there will be toys after all, you wicked mommy....So there will be toys after all, you wicked mommy. I love your kids' conversations.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com