Quality Toys for Christmas
Some of the things that happen in our lives do not change from year to year, parents to children. The fond memories of things out parents did, we want to do too. Then, there are actions we want to take that are different from our parents. The occurrences we want to change are likely those that harbor hurtful memories for us. We've all had pleasant and unpleasant experiences during childhood. Of these experiences, the memories of toys for Christmas that we received, can be powerful—whether good or bad.
When I think about my own memories related to the toys for Christmas I received when I was young, I find that I have both kinds. My most unpleasant memory was when I was seven years old. I badly wanted a Barbie doll. These now famous dolls had come out the very same year that I was born and…my name is Barbara. When I was a kid, I went by the name of Barbie.
At the time, many of my friends had Barbie dolls and I really wanted one. Because my parents didn't have a lot of money, my mother did most of her shopping at discount stores. She was the off-brand merchandise master.
Anyway, that year when I opened my Christmas presents, I discovered that I did, in fact, get a doll. It was not a Barbie doll. It was a Vivian doll. This was the less expensive knock-off version. Although Barbie's doll clothes fit my new doll, Vivian didn't have the same shape feet, so the high-heeled Barbie doll shoes would not fit. The face wasn't quite the same either. I was sorely disappointed over the doll gift. I didn't think that the money my mother saved was actually worth it. Needless to say, I do not have memories of any other toys for Christmas that year.
I never enjoyed playing with that Vivian doll and I'm sure that my mother realized—from my unhappiness—that cheaper does not mean better. From that point forward, it seemed like we received quality toys for Christmas.
Now that It's my turn at parenting, I try to make sure my kids have fond memories of Christmas time. Because I want to teach them moderation, they do not receive everything that they put on their Christmas lists, but the presents they do get are of high quality and usually what they want (if I can manage it). I know they will grow up to do things differently when they have children, but hopefully I've minimized any hurtful memories they may have from their childhood.