You think that this is going to be another toy tsunami with undesirable toys being washed up all over the house. So how do you avoid the toy situation getting out of control? Here are my top 5 tips.
1.
There
are some very stupid and insulting toys on the market. We have all
sorts of toys such as babies that actually pee and some very gender oriented
toys such as the Lego kits for girls which build a beauty salon. It might be no harm to let the relatives know
that such toys are not a good idea and that your kids have a wish list. Tell
them about it. That can avoid many an embarrassing situation when presents are
opened.
2.
Maybe
you cannot stand noisy toys like me. So that goes on to the list too and then
there are the toys that should be banned which are downright dangerous, scary,
sticky or run on batteries. The latter tend to be consumed in a ridiculously
short space of time and are basically non environmental friendly.
3.
Set
the rules for a limit on the number of screen devices so that your kids are not
overwhelmed. Try telling all the loving relatives and friends that no cell phones
no new WII, computers or play stations are needed. As parents, we can decide
what toys are needed. We want to reduce time on screen devices and help our
kids get out in the open air and do healthy things like sports. If not they
will risk end up being zombies.
4.
Art
supplies and craft kits should be high on the list and drop hints about these,
when you can. This encourages creativity and finished products can be given to
loving grandparents on birthdays and so on. It helps to keep the toy tsunami at
bay. Which reminds me that all our old and unused toys are given to charity and
room is made for new ones. Learning to code is a fabulous new skill to learn. The Botley Toy is one of my favorites
5.
Kids
love books and if they have ereaders such as Kindle, then this is a great way to
encourage them to read. Telling relatives what types of books (traditional ones
or ebooks) is a great way to encourage the best gift of all which is a book.
Any sort will do! Click on the banner here for the Holiday Toy List Top 100.
#2: Start the ‘Toy In, Toy Out’ Tradition — Set a maximum safe toy capacity limit. For example, the stuffy collection must fit into this designated toy box. If the stuffy collection has reached maximum capacity, tell both the children and grandparents that for every stuffy that comes into the house, an equal (or greater) amount must leave (hopefully that will break them of the habit of attaching a decorative stuffy to every gift).
#3: Suggest Collections or Sets — Start collections or toy sets that grandparents can add to so at least the new additions can live with their fellow toy mates (and most sets tend to have small pieces of varying price ranges). Keep an updated list of the missing pieces that your kids would love to add to their collection to share with grandparents who may be nervous about buying duplicates.
#4: Ask for Consumables — Tell the grandparents how much Little Suzy loves to make beautiful pieces of art to give to the grandparents. Suggest buying art supplies (paper, stickers, glitter glue, Popsicle sticks, etc.) and maybe even an how-to book or craft kit. It’s a win-win-win because the kids get something they will enjoy, the grandparents get beautiful works of art and you get toys that magically disappear.
#5: Be Honest About What Matters the Most — Remind the grandparents that no matter how anticipated, all toys are quickly forgotten and what the kids value the most is time spent with them. If they are far away, suggest a gift of a visit or a meet-you-in-the-middle arrangement and if they are nearby, suggest a special grandpa