It's that time of year again! Santa is making a list, and checking it twice! But how about you parents, do you have a Christmas list? Do you know what your children want for Christmas? You might be able to save yourself some time and money by asking your children what they want.
I know Toys R Us puts out a top 100 toys of the year list. This list is nowhere near accurate. It is more of a list telling you what Toys R Us wants to be the top selling's gifts for your kids for the holiday season. However, if you survey kids and ask them what they want for Christmas and you get a totally different list. iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad rank the top of a recent survey compared to Bananagrams on some toy stores hot-list items.
However, instead of taking hints from companies what your children want for Christmas, why don't you ask them?
Grab the Sears catalogue, or some other sort of flyer that comes in the mail, and ask your children to circle what they want for Christmas. Use colour coding if you have more than one child circling in the flyer. You may be surprised to know what they want or don't want for Christmas. Your child is a unique individual who may not fit the "want" standards put out by a toy company, that's why you need to ask them.
Another option, depending on the age of your child, is to have them make a list of what they want. I realize this may take the "surprise" out of Christmas. At least they will know they are getting something they want, and the surprise will be which items off of the list they will be getting.
If you have infants and toddlers who can't express what they want for Christmas, maybe consider what you are buying them for Christmas. Chances are they probably won't remember what you get them; so don't be over elaborate in what you buy them. Maybe consider wrapping up diapers, wipes, bibs, or other infant needs as presents for your infant. Your toddler probably has expressed interest in a theme, like Dora the Explorer or Toy Story; if that is the case, get them something related to that theme.
By asking your children what they want for Christmas, you prevent getting them something that has a one-day novelty and then is placed on the shelf or in the closet for the rest of their childhood. So go ahead, and get a list from them.
