Now why didn't I think of that?

[mysid]

In a post-Christmas chat with a neighbor, I found that her children get three gifts each from Santa (no more, no less). Why three? "Because that's what the Three Wise Men brought the baby Jesus." It's a clever excuse for limiting gifts. I'm not into the whole religion thing (although we are raising our kids within Hubby's branch of Christianity), but I do like the idea of limiting gifts!

What did my kids ask Santa for?

Seven-year-old son, P, asked for a Nintendo DS. We were willing to oblige. He loved his Gameboy and it died months ago. Of Course, he probably had a (too rough) hand in its death, which is why he had to live without one until Santa came through.

Seven-year-old daughter, K, asked for a toy horse, but not just any toy horse. She wanted Felicity's horse, Penny. Felicity is an "American Girl" doll which means that she costs a fortune, comes with a series of books about the historical time period in which she lives, and has many, many expensive accesories available. K got Felicity from Santa last year, and she had no doubt that the big guy would come through with Penny this year. He did.

On New Year's Eve, we had friends over (my friend, her hubby and their three kids: boy age 7, girls ages 2 &3). K was playing with Penny, and my husband commented to the other couple, "If you can avoid your girls getting into the American Girl dolls, do it. Very expensive."

When asked how much Penny cost, we had to say, "Santa brought her," because K was listening. But K said, "If Santa had to buy it,"--which of course he doesn't; elves, you know--"he'd be broke."
.

Comments

[fantomeq.livejournal.com]

Target has a line of "fake" American Girl dolls, and I know they have horses. I adore those American Girl dolls but could never shell out (especially for just me, LOL). You might want to check out this site:
http://www.dollclothesstore.com/Doll_Clothing_Pages.htm
http://www.dollclothesstore.com/products/DOLL_CLOTHES_PERIOD_IN_TIME_DOLL_CLOTHES.htm
for clothes that are authentic-looking and inexpensive.

[fantomeq.livejournal.com]

P.S. You should get Greatest Santa Ever award for buying those though. :)

[mysid.livejournal.com]

The fake dolls would not do--K's too discerning for that--but knock-off clothes are just fine with her. Felicity currently has a mix of AG clothes authentic for Felicitiy's time period, and other manufacturer clothes for when she dresses modern. Thanks for the link to this site. Now I can buy colonial era clothes without paying AG prices.

[fantomeq.livejournal.com]

Sorry my comments have been so choppy. A noisy person keeps interrupting me. :) I have a hard time resisting buying those clothes myself! I don't have any 18" dolls yet, but I'd like one, particularly the Magic Attic dolls, which are beautiful.

[mysid.livejournal.com]

I girl I used to tutor had a "Magic Attic" poster in her room, but that's the only exposure to them I've had. I just googled them and found out that the line has been discontinued.

[fantomeq.livejournal.com]

This place:
http://www.prillycharmin.com/dolls/18/1amenu.html
sells them new in box and occasionally has clearance sales. I think they're gorgeous.

[greenwitch.livejournal.com]

Heee! One year (I must've been about 9), my parents let me return most of the birthday presents I had gotten from friends and family and buy Felicity and her accessories instead. I learned to manipulate the market young *G* As for dresses, I had a few but my grandmother was a very good seamstress and so my mother had bought the patterns for me, and grandma made several for me and my sisters (they also had 18" dolls that weren't AG), though none of them matched exactly.

[mysid.livejournal.com]

You were a child who knew what she wanted--not a bad quality to have.

And what a nice grandma you have!

[greenwitch.livejournal.com]

She was great... died a few years ago, but she was an awesome seamstress, made my sisters and I matching dresses when we were younger (though you can guess I did hate them, LOL), her own clothes, my mother's wedding dress, etc.