I created a post recently about getting way to much unwanted “stuff” at my baby showers. Everyone said how ungrateful I sounded. I just really don’t like being wasteful which is why I love this idea so much!

What do you think of the post below? I love it but how do you tell people not to buy toys without seeming ungrateful? How would you handle the people who ignore your suggestions and buy toys anyways?

I did not write this- stole it from Facebook.

*I read an article by a mom who was asking people NOT to buy her kids TOYS for Christmas... she expressed the same sentiments I have from years past with London... Let's see if anyone else has this happen...

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- Kid wants toy for Christmas and talks about it all the time.

- Kid opens toy for Christmas and immediately rips it open and starts to put it together & play.

- 2 days later kid is asking for new app on their iPad, and you suggest they go play with that awesome toy they wanted so bad... They say they don't feel like it.

- One week later, toy is shoved in the back of their closet, never to be seen again... UNTIL you do a pre-Christmas clean out the following year when said toy is then donated because the child expresses that she no longer likes it. 😕

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AH, it kills me a little every time!!!

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This year, we are making a Christmas list filled with EXPERIENCES, not toys.

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Want to know what Aunt Susie can get her? A movie date with her on a weekend, a trip to the zoo, a painting class... something where they can spend time together!

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Live far away? You could give her 2 horseback riding lesson vouchers, a gift certificate to a pottery painting class, cooking lessons, a favorite book of yours with a personalized note of why you love it & her <3 THE EXPERIENCES and MEMORIES she simply will NOT forget!

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I shared my thoughts with her yesterday on our walk and her eyes lit up with excitement! I think that's what kids really CRAVE anyway!!! TIME with the ones they love, experiences they can have with them, trying NEW and exciting things, and creating special memories that live on forever! Shoot, I think that is what we ALL CRAVE! <3 YES, this Christmas we are switching things UP in our household and we couldn't be any MORE excited about it!*