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It's probably an appropriate time to bring this one up as Christmas is just around the corner. I've just spent a couple of hours sorting through toys in my daughters bedroom to see what she's outgrown, what's become lost and broken etc. It has actually been quite an eye opener.
One thing is blatantly obvious and that is that children's toys aren't at all what they used to be. I know that's probably a tired old expression that you may have heard your parents use, but it seems to be true now more than ever.
Children's toys are just very gimmicky these days. Over complicated and brightly coloured moulded bits of plastic that don't really do anything and have no real value other than to serve as a brief diversion before the child moves on to the next worthless piece of junk.
They are more often than not quite poorly manufactured and as a result will not last very long at all. This is something that is quite unacceptable because some of these toys cost a small fortune. Of course the big toy companies that make these toys need to recoup some of their heavy advertising costs somehow! In this country we spend a fortune each year at Christmas on the kids, but I don't think the toys live up to the glitzy adverts.
Some children's toys I suppose aren't so expensive, but you get what you pay for and that is where the quality and value for money really starts to take a nose dive! If anything they get even more gimmicky and pointless! All this new stuff is just trash and that's where it will probably end up before next Christmas.
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Why?
Because they have NO TELEVISION!!!!!! They don't see adverts for toys so they don't know abotu them.
Whenever I get them presents, I get them BOOKS. When they see me, they never ask "what did you bring us?" Those kids play wonderfully together, and they read all the time; while they're eating breakfast, while they're eating their lunch, while they're in the car, while they're in the bathtub, while they're in bed (with a flashlight held in their mouths).
My kids are getting an assortment of plastic and modern toys from grandparents, aunts and uncles, and friends, so they will indeed be getting things that are more conventional. Plus they are getting an assortment of stocking stuffers and such from us. And its not about the items themselves, its the time we spend with them creating and using the gifts. They are old enough to enjoy it and the presents are appropriate for their ages and interests. Christmas isn't about what you get, its the experience and traditions. I got similar presents as a child and they remain part of my fondest memories (I know that sounds sappy but its true). I would not like my kids to expect to get everything they want just because its Christmas but to remember its a treat to get gifts at all. As adults, they'll remember the traditions and hopefully pass them on.
You shouldnt give a child a present because it teaches them skills they should recieve a gift that they will enjoy for the time that they are still at the age that they can.
There is nothing worse than going down to look under the christmas tree just to be dissapointed that they did not get the toy that they wanted.
me