With this being the first Christmas where The Kid™ is 100% aware of Santa Claus, presents coming up and the like, what are the odds that we could convince her that in order to get new toys under the tree, it's a good idea to select a few of her current gadgets that she doesn't really play with any longer, and give them away?
Have any of you ever done this or something similar in the past? Is there another easier way of clearing out space for new stuff that doesn't involve the Anti-Toy Elves sneaking in and stealing things in the middle of the night?
Related posts:
- All The Kid™ Wants For Christmas Is...A Cat Since the
- PAX Gets Swine Flu Well, this
- Have A Very Kosher Christmas! When it co
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 9:29 am
With my daughter, who turns 3 in February, we cycle toys she had lost interest in into a separate toy box/storage area. If she goes a month or so and doesn't ask about them, we know its ok to get rid of them . Around November, we start to ask her which toys she wants to put away, since Santa would be bringing her new ones and needed the space. We put those away and follow the same procedure as above. It seems to have worked so far, she has only asked a couple times where a certain toy has gone. Hope that helps.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 9:39 am
Actually, that does help a little bit. We tried to go the recycling route, but a little differently, hiding toys she stopped playing with and then re-introducing them later to see if there was renewed interest. It worked about half the time.
I think I'll try walking her through the house a few times this week and see what she thinks Santa would like to have to give to another little girl or boy...
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 11:16 am
With our 5 year old we just explain that if he wants new things he needs to make room for them and that the best way is to give the things he doesn't really play with to kids that would really love it. I'm not saying it works perfectly, but it's a start to instilling the desire to recycle and give to others and all that jazz.
on Dec 3rd, 2009 at 6:15 am
My sons willingly pick out toys to donate in order to help Santa give toys to boys and girls that don't have enough. I help them by suggesting things that I know they don't use any more and have them help me put them in the car in a box. Telling them that they'll help make another little boy or girl very happy has made them much more willing to do it. Especially when I make a big deal out of praising them for being so big about it. They know that the clothes that they out grow and remaining bits of swing/high chair/baby stuff goes to the same place (Goodwill).