[email protected]

In a message dated 12/16/02 6:35:01 PM Central Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:

<< They really enjoyed the posters today,
and ds was satisfied at opening that one gift. But, now what?? What
about tomorrow ? What if he wants to open all of his gifts and then
he has none to open on Christmas Eve when the other children open
thiers? >>

This is why we don't put anything out before Christmas, except maybe a few,
just to look pretty.
I think it's just too hard for young children to avoid the temptation.
I also figure that until I choose to give the gift to someone, I still own
it. So since it's technically mine, I can say NO. hehe
But in our house we know they can't handle the temptation, so they all stay
hidden until everyone is asleep Christmas eve.
It would kinda spoil Christmas for me if they didn't have anything left to
open.
I do buy an advent calender for each of them, which they get a treat from
every day (Trevor has decided he doesn't like chocolate through this
experience and gives his to the wee babsy man) which takes the edge off a
little.
And they always open one on Christmas Eve.


Ren
"Knowledge will not always take the place of simple observation."
~Arnold Lobel
Unschooling support at pensacolaunschoolers.com

Fetteroll

on 12/16/02 11:58 PM, starsuncloud@... at starsuncloud@... wrote:

> I do buy an advent calender for each of them, which they get a treat from
> every day

Though it's not chocolate and it's a bit late now, there are advent
calendars on the internet. I think I just used "advent calendar" in Google
and we liked all that we had time to look at. One was an on going story,
another Christmas carols, another animated gifs, another cookie recipes ...

Joyce

[email protected]

In a message dated 12/17/02 4:10:26 AM Central Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:

<< Have him wrap up some stuff in his room or let other kids, and let him
guess
what (of his familiar stuff) is in there? Wrap up pajamas before bed? Wrap
up his pillow? Maybe that would make it all kinda funny and fun.
>>

Oh yes! That's a really good idea. Sierra used up a big wad of wrapping paper
the other night when I was getting the Alaska box ready.
She wrapped her silkie and a bunch of stuff. Just having paper and tape can
be a wonderful distraction. I buy so much tape these days.....sigh

Ren
"Knowledge will not always take the place of simple observation."
~Arnold Lobel
Unschooling support at pensacolaunschoolers.com

[email protected]

In a message dated 12/17/02 4:10:26 AM Central Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:

<< Though it's not chocolate and it's a bit late now, there are advent
calendars on the internet. I think I just used "advent calendar" in Google
and we liked all that we had time to look at. One was an on going story,
another Christmas carols, another animated gifs, another cookie recipes ...
>>

Thanks Joyce. Perhaps next year we'll be better prepared. I thought of making
some with the kids, but with all the busyness I decided the dollar store one
were just fine this time!! It would be fun to see all the different types....

Ren
"Knowledge will not always take the place of simple observation."
~Arnold Lobel
Unschooling support at pensacolaunschoolers.com

mary krzyzanowski

We give a small gift or two and candy for St. Nicholas Day (12/6), the
stockings are left on the couch on Christmas morning and the kids can play
with those when they wake up.(I fill them as much as possible with things
from the Dollar Store and Party City). We open the big gifts later in the
morning. This year we'll need to cover the big gifts with a sheet on
Christmas Eve or my 2yods will open everything.
Mary-NY





>From: starsuncloud@...
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Christmas gifts
>Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2002 23:58:31 EST
>
>In a message dated 12/16/02 6:35:01 PM Central Standard Time,
>[email protected] writes:
>
><< They really enjoyed the posters today,
> and ds was satisfied at opening that one gift. But, now what?? What
> about tomorrow ? What if he wants to open all of his gifts and then
> he has none to open on Christmas Eve when the other children open
> thiers? >>
>
>This is why we don't put anything out before Christmas, except maybe a few,
>just to look pretty.
>I think it's just too hard for young children to avoid the temptation.
>I also figure that until I choose to give the gift to someone, I still own
>it. So since it's technically mine, I can say NO. hehe
>But in our house we know they can't handle the temptation, so they all stay
>hidden until everyone is asleep Christmas eve.
>It would kinda spoil Christmas for me if they didn't have anything left to
>open.
>I do buy an advent calender for each of them, which they get a treat from
>every day (Trevor has decided he doesn't like chocolate through this
>experience and gives his to the wee babsy man) which takes the edge off a
>little.
>And they always open one on Christmas Eve.
>
>
>Ren
>"Knowledge will not always take the place of simple observation."
> ~Arnold Lobel
>Unschooling support at pensacolaunschoolers.com

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Mary Bianco

From: "mary krzyzanowski" <meembeam@...>

<<This year we'll need to cover the big gifts with a sheet on
Christmas Eve or my 2yods will open everything.>>


Well this year the cat and the kitten were driving me crazy making their own
little place under the tree. My velour tree skirt was covered in hair and I
just couldn't keep it clean for more than an hour. So I cleaned it one last
time, wrapped all the gifts and put them under the tree. Cats can't get to
it now. I thought after my 2 year old started to ask to open them that it
was a mistake. But she surprised me as usual and has been very good. No
shaking or anything. She understands now that on Christmas she can open
some. Of course she has no idea when that is so every day she asks. She also
goes and shows everyone how we have Merry Christmas under the tree! Aren't
kids just the best??!!!!

Mary B

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