I am getting ready to make a list of what the kids NEED this year so when all the relatives call and ask, I am ready. I am seriously requesting that NO ONE buy them toys. We have toys coming out our ears. If they are to get any, I or DH will be the ones to get them. I really want to get them new beds since right now they have a bunk bed and it is a piece of junk. So between getting two beds (headboard and possibly footboard and bed frames) and each a set of new mattresses (i want to get them a decent mattress too, right now the one that they have is JUNK!!), we could be looking at ???? let's say $800. Would it be tacky to suggest that they get the kids a small gift and than whatever else they intended to spend on them, they pitch in to the bed fund??? I know I will offend (piss off) some relatives. But it is something that the boys really need, than I dont think it is bad. I would be more than willing to do the same thing for someone as oppose to buy a toy that they dont need or want. What do you think??

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Nothing is as important as passion. No matter what you want to do with your life, be passionate.
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I think it depends on who you ask. I have asked for gift certificates for the kids b/4 when they wanted lessons I couldn't afford. It was a win/win for me, the kids, and the giver! I would suggest screening out who would be willing to help out and maybe ask the others to contribute in another way, like themed sheets or a comforter set or something else for the new beds. I think most people DO want to give a helpful/needed gift more than somthing that will sit on a shelf or be played with only a few times.... JMHO!

We did that last year. MIL payed for bunkbed. ( that come a part). My mom and dad got new beding. Plus a few small gift. But so much better then a bunch of loud crappy toys.
Good luck!

I agree totally with the "No Toys Please" policy. We have so many toys, and to be honest our girls do not play with hardly any of them. We have tried and tried to get the Grandparents on board, and slowly it is starting to take shape. It may not be as fun for the gift givers, but helping us out and the kids really can make a difference.

We started asking everyone to contribute to our kids education funds instead of giving the toys for birthdays and holidays about 3 years ago. The first year everyone complained but now that postage is so high (we live 600 miles from everyone) they like it. This benefits all of us, the giver doesn't have to take the time to shop for a child they only see once or twice a year, the kids will have the benefit of having some of their education paid for and DH and do not have to yell at the kids to keep their toys cleaned up.

We started doing this because DH and I only buy toys on birthdays and Christmas and we tend to go overboard so they have plenty of toys.

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