A mom writes in asking for advice about buying Christmas gifts for her daughter. This mom always likes to shop ahead of the holiday season to avoid higher prices and related drama, and this year has been no different. Except that she claims a lot of people in her life are making her feel bad for doing so because of how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the economy. They say she shouldn’t spend so much money on gifts for her child. This mom doesn’t see the problem, as she isn’t spending beyond her means, but she is feeling guilty after facing the backlash.
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A member of the community asks:
“Should I not buy my daughter so many Christmas gifts due to COVID?”
“I know this is a tough year for everybody, especially for kids, since lockdown can be such a big hit to them. I’m already buying Christmas presents for my 4-year-old; she’s my only child. And, as I do every year, I buy ahead of the holidays to avoid the higher prices, etc. I’ve gotten lots of backlash because of this. People insist it’s a bad year financially and that I shouldn’t be getting more than one present for my little one. Mind you; we have the rest of our necessities covered. I’m a working mom, and I just budget and plan ahead. Do you think I shouldn’t get my girl her usual number of gifts? I feel so bad now.
– Mamas Uncut Community Member
Community Advice for This Mom Who Is Wondering if She Should Buy Her Daughter Fewer Gifts for Christmas Because of a COVID-19-Impacted Economy
To see what advice the Mamas Uncut Facebook community has for this mom in need, read the comments of the post embedded below.
Advice Summary
The community offered this mom in need a lot of great advice. Read some of their responses below.
Let’s put the virus aside for a second; I strongly believe that ‘Santa’ should only give practical gifts and Mom/Dad should give the more extravagant gifts. Kids that are less fortunate tend to get upset thinking they were bad or Santa doesn’t like them as much because their parents can’t afford an Xbox or cellphone etc, so all they got was a board game and some socks but ‘Santa’ gave something big and expensive to their classmate…
… But I would not care what any person on the planet had to say about what I chose to buy my child, I would literally laugh in their face and tell them to mind their own business. I say buy your daughter what you think she deserves but reserve smaller items from Santa and bigger ones from you.”
“I’m planning on doing for my kids exactly the same I do any other year! Honestly, I’ll prob do a bit more just because we did absolutely nothing this summer due to COVID and I could care less how anyone feels about it.”
“What does COVID have to do with how many gifts you buy your kid? If you can afford it do whatever you want.”
“After such a horrible year, my kids are getting the most Christmassy Christmas ever! Tthey have handled stuff kids shouldn’t have to handle and they have taken it so well and deserve everything I save to get them. If people don’t like that, that’s their problem. Enjoy your Christmas.”
“This is exactly why I don’t discuss these types of things. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. You’re planning ahead, you’re budgeting. That’s called being a responsible adult. Not many do these things and are very offended at the ones who do. But the gifts. Wrap them. Enjoy your Christmas with your baby. If nothing else, stop caring what anyone else thinks! If they don’t pay your bills or feed your family, their opinion doesn’t hold ground.”
“Just because COVID is wreaking havoc on the economy doesn’t mean your children need to suffer for it. Keep Christmas special for them and let them deal with issues of the country when they are adults.”
“You do whatever the hell you wanna do. She’s YOUR kid. My daughter is an only child who’ll be 3 at Christmas time and she already had 7 or 8 Christmas presents that I bought and my husband still wants to get her more. If you can financially afford to get her 100, then get her 100.”
“So because others can’t afford, you should limit what you CAN afford?! Hahaha, NOPE! But that sweet girl whatever your heart desires. No one else pays your bills so their opinion means nothing.”
“The gifts you buy for your child are absolutely nobody’s business but yours. Nobody has the right to tell you what to buy or how to parent your child, and don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for your choices! (Coming from someone who is already Christmas shopping for my children too.)”
“She’s your child. My heart goes out to those in need (and we do what we can to help) however… I will not buy my children less just because others can’t afford to buy theirs more. Our financial situation belongs to mine and my husband and we will either spend, save, or tighten our belt when the need arises.”
I think it’s an important lesson to TEACH our kids, especially at 4. Buy what you want but also make sure she appreciates, age appropriately of course, how lucky to have so much! There is a balance there that can happen. Maybe take her to pick out a toy for a shelter toy drive. We all have different abilities financially, pandemic or not, so when we teach our children to really appreciate what they’ve been given it’s a beautiful thing!”
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