Kordatzky agrees. The It Toy in her house right now is LEGO sets of all kinds, but she offers her children the choice between a nice gift like a large LEGO set or a fun outing such as the Minnesota Zoo. One benefit to giving experiences isn’t having quite so many toys cluttering the playroom or needing to be thrown away when they break. With four kids, that’s especially helpful. “We have Hot Wheels tracks all over and I don’t know how to control it!” she said. Kordatzky also holds back on toys because the children’s grandma is a generous gift giver. “We want our kids to be grateful for what they have, and not expect things or think they deserve them,” she said.
↑↑Dane and Omri Kordatzky, ages 8 and 6, play with PlayMobil action figures and LEGOs in their New Brighton home. Though the toys — high-end must-have “It Toys” — weren’t cheap, they’re proven to be lasting playthings that encourage imaginative play.
←←Shanna Gebhard’s 6-year-old daughter, Peyton, asked for a set of American Girl Bitty Twins dolls for a year before her mother agreed to take the plunge.
Instilling gratitude, too In a season that seems to revolve around kids’ lengthy wish lists, it’s never too early to learn about gratitude and giving to others. “The concept of giving and sharing is really important, because children can be very self-centered. Especially today they need to learn the values of caring for others,” Schaeffer said. There are many parents now involving their children in volunteering with nonprofit organizations, Schaeffer said, and that’s one way to help children to learn the pleasure of giving. Acts of kindness needn’t be done solely through an organization, however. A person in need might be closer than you think. “There is a lot of loneliness around the holidays,” she said. “Parents should really look around and see if there are people in their lives like an elder — or a child who isn’t likely to get one or many gifts.” When children give presents to family, parents can encourage gifts that are handmade and heartfelt. Schaeffer fondly remembers her own grown children once writing her notes to be used as coupons for things such as breakfast in bed. It’s one more way to teach children that gifts are from the heart and aren’t always physical objects. As with many things, holiday gifting is all about balance. “I personally love gift giving,” Schaeffer said. “It’s OK to spoil a child over the holidays, as long as they know it’s just once a year.” Abbie Burgess is a Twin Cities freelance writer and lifestyle blogger at thepinkpaperdoll.com.
mnparent.com • November 2016
43