For the first time, my girls are exchanging Christmas gifts with each other. I thought it would be fun since dh & I only give them 2 presents (one from us and one from "Santa"). They each picked a name, decided on the amount that they would spend (4 of them wanted to spend $5.00 while one was only willing to spend $2.00, so we compromised on $4.00). They all used their allowance money, and I took them separately to the store. I quickly realized that Wal-mart was out of their price range, so we ended up at the dollar stores where they had a variety of less expensive presents. The girls loved the whole experience and really thought about what their sister would like. We're adding this to our Christmas traditions! -- Gloria

Mom to five girls: ages 10, 9, and 7/7/7

Yes! Great idea! I want to do that too this year. But it takes time - a separate trip with each child. I think it is a wonderful idea and aspire to do it, but can't be sure we'll get there.

Good for you!

Nancy

mom to beautiful BBG triplets, born February 2002 at 33 wks, 4 days

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We did that for the second year this year. We only have three and they are only five this year, so both last year and this year we gave them money to spend. (They don't really earn much allowance yet...)

We go to Big Lots and park in the parking lot. DH stays in the van with two watching a DVD while I take them in one at a time to shop for the sibling whose name they drew. They are really proud of what they choose for each other and still talk about it a whole year later!

Tara

Mom to BBG born at 33wks on 4/3/03

Hi Gloria,

Thanks for the GREAT idea!
You are always on top of your game!

We just love our dollar-type stores! It's amazing what we find in there sometimes!

Happy holidays,
7mozz

Gloria

Lots of fun for your girls! We started a couple years ago with our guys buying for each other. We have a Santa sale at school where they can buy little things for their relatives and then last year I encouraged them to make something for each other. They gave each other homemade coupons for things like "I will play the game you want", "good for 1 chore' etc. they loved cashing them in!

Suzanne
BBB 4/00

I like the homemade coupon idea! My oldest dd gave one to her sister on her last birthday, something about doing one of her chores. I should encourage it for Christmas, too.

I'm the librarian at an elementary school, and I have a Santa Store every December. We wrap the gifts and everything. The kids love it.

Gloria

We just did that with our girls today. I took all 3 to WalMart and Mema went with us. She kept two on one side of the store while I would take one to shop. We checked out and hide gifts in the car then I would move on to the next one. They had a blast buying for each other. I'm really glad we have started this tradition. I did let each sister buy one gift for her two sisters. So I set the limit to $10 gifts.

Audrey
SAHM
GGG"s 5-9-2003 (34weeks)