What to do about gifts?

[Cami]

I can't decide what to do about Easter presents. Here's the background: My girls recently have become addicted to Webkinz. They each got their first webkinz at Christmas from Santa. Addison then got two from friends for her birthday. Addison and Aubrey just last week each bought another webkinz (so Addison's 4th and Aubrey's 2nd) with their allowance/gift money.

Now Addison has sent an email to the Easter Bunny, asking if she could have a pink poodle webkinz (April's Pet of the Month) for Easter.

I really don't want to encourage this "gotta have it, keep buying" mentality. I want them to know that they don't need webkinz after webkinz. Also I don't want to spend another $45 (~$15 x 3 kids) for more Easter presents because we don't have loads of money to blow right now. For various reasons, I don't feel right just buying for 1 of the kids.... they each have said they want a webkinz.

The "Easter Bunny" wrote back to Addison and told her that even she sometimes had a hard time finding certain Webkinz and she hoped Addison would like whatever she brought for her. I was trying to lower her expectations. :) But I can't decide what to do.

What would you do?
*Add a webkinz to their gifts because that's what they want and they believe in the Easter Bunny.
*Return the stuff I already bought (for each kid: Hannah Montanta or Power Rangers tshirt, book, little light up toy, toothbrush) and substitute a webkinz. Plus candy in either case.
*Not give them a webkinz and stick with what I already bought.

[Hilary]

I'm not sure what to tell you, just mad that I didn't know the pink poodle was the pet of the month in April. :mad: We bought one yesterday and registered it. I don't know if your Kmart carries them, but ours does and they are on clearance for $11, so that would save a little.

[marcy]

First, my question is whether asking the Easter Bunny for gifts is what's normally done in your family? If yes, then I'd try to get what they want. If not, then I'd stick with whatever I already had.

[Shel]

Try Lil'Kinz. They are cheaper than Webkinz, and really not much smaller. We did Lil'Kiz for Valentine's Day and no one noticed they were smaller.

However, since you spent money and already bought things, I'd give them what you have already. What about Webkinz trading cards or a charm? Then they still get something Webkinz, but you aren't forking out a ton of money again.

[Karri]

I'd give them what you got already. I know that Aidan asked for specific stuff and I explained that the Easter Bunny is not like Santa and doesn't take requests and :blahblah:

[Mary DK]

Cami, I would give them what you have already. The boys don't get to ask the EB for stuff either but each household is different, maybe the EB can write a little note & said that he couldn't get one & instead bought them other things he knew they would like.

[Connie1222]

Another vote for give them what you got already. I give a little toy in their Easter basket, but something small for like $5 max.

[TtownAnne]

I wouldn't do another Webkinz - go with what you've got. Caroline doesn't ask the EB for specific things, but we do tend to focus more on toys/crafty things than candy just because between school, the grandparents and us who needs more candy? So far Caroline's Easter basket consists of a chocolate bunny, two books, a puzzle, seeds to plant in the garden, two pairs of earrings, chalk and jelly beans, if you need some ideas. :)

[Lynn]

I'd give them what you got already. I know that Aidan asked for specific stuff and I explained that the Easter Bunny is not like Santa and doesn't take requests and :blahblah:
:nod: Aaron requested gifts from the EB last year and I told him the same thing.

[Jillian]

I let the kids request things from the Easter bunny cause my mom did with us when we were kids...

That said, I'd probably get the webkinz. limited 2 and justice supposedly have select ones buy one get one free right now.

[sheila]

My girls have not yet thought to ask the EB for anything. :dunno:

How did that happen? :lol:

[Alyssa]

I too would give what you already got, assuming you think they'll really like that stuff anyway. I think it's good to let them know they won't always get just what they ask for and they might really like surprise gifts too. I mean, I like the magical aspect of asking for things and getting them - IMO it's a great perk of being a kid - but a few lessons of being gracious are good too. :awink:

[Cami]

Thanks for the feedback! So I should feel better about my original thoughts to skip the webkinz. I'm not sure why I feel guilty and want to give in, but I do. Normally I can say, "Too bad!" with no regret.

As for the whole asking the EB for stuff, I guess it originated last year when we were going to be out of town for Easter. The girls wanted to let EB know, blah blah blah, so they sent an email and gave a wish list while they were at it. Addison got strangely obsessed with writing to EB and sent lots of emails, so now a year later I guess she thinks it's normal communication. :crazy:

Shel, thanks for the suggestion for charms or cards. I might do that. I'm :thumbsup: for Lil Kinz too although the pink poodle pet of the month is the big one. :rolleyes:

Hilary, you know, I'm not even sure that we have KMart in Houston. :scratch: And Jillian, thanks, I wouldn't have known to look at Limited 2 (in case I do give in). :blush:

[Mary DK]

Hilary, you know, I'm not even sure that we have KMart in Houston. :scratch: And Jillian, thanks, I wouldn't have known to look at Limited 2 (in case I do give in). :blush:
Really? All of our KMarts were shut down awhile back, I wonder if it was a State thing :scratch:

[Kristen]

If the poodle is such a big deal, can you pick up one (or some if that is the one the others want, too) and save it for another special occasion?

[Cami]

Ok, problem "solved." Yesterday, my mom called from her SIL's Hallmark store to tell me she was surrounded by webkinz and she knew the kids wanted particular ones and she wanted to get the webkinz for them. I hadn't even told her about my dilemma, she just remembered they'd been talking about the pet of the month!

So while they'll still be feeding their webkinz greed, Grandma will take the credit for getting the gifts and they'll know they didn't talk me or the Easter Bunny into it. I guess that's all right. My mom is really happy to be able to get them something they really really want.

Mary, I hadn't even thought about KMart until I read Hilary's response and then I realized I hadn't seen any around. I haven't even seen any buildings that look like they used to be KMart. :dunno:

[Connie1222]

Sounds like a win-win to me!