Today Zachary had his very first trip to the “Santa Store” at his elementary school. If you aren’t familiar with the “Santa Store” it is a little store set up in the school where the kids can go purchase presents for their family members (and a gift for them as well). Zachary was beside himself excited. I filled out the form and put money in the envelope and was sure to state on the form that if he has money left over, he can pick something for himself. I debated about putting a specific amount in there just for him (you state on the form who to buy for and how much to spend), but I did not want him to focus at all on buying for himself. I am really trying to teach the kids the meaning of Christmas and how good it feels to buy for other people.
Zachary could barely contain his excitement after school. He kept telling me “not to look in his backpack”. He wanted it to be a surprise. We get in the car to go pick my husband up from work and Zachary says “mommy, I don’t think I can stand it. I want to give you your presents now”. I tried to get him to hold off, but he really wanted to give it to us and I knew it would drive him nuts so I gave in.
He looked at Bella first and said “Bel-wa, you want to know what I bought you?”. Well shoot, of course she did. Bella kept clapping her hands and asking for her “prize”. Zachary pulled out her present and handed it to her. A stuffed dog. Bella’s most favorite thing in the world! Our house is like a dog pound with stuffed dogs. But ever since she was a baby, Bella loved dogs.
For me, Zachary got a pink ceramic votive candle holder with “Everything I need to know, I learned from my mother” on it. He told me he got it for me because he knows I like pink and I tell him how to do things (haha smartass!). He was a little disappointed because he wanted to get me a scrapbook and he said he searched all over the store to find one but they did not have one and he knew I liked pink. I love my candle holder and it is sitting on my shelf so I can see it everyday whether I am in the family room or the kitchen!
For his daddy, Zachary knew instantly what he wanted. A screwdriver. He knows that his daddy likes tools and he wanted to find the perfect one for him. The screwdriver that he got him has “dad” printed on it and can be used for a variety of different projects. It also has a flashlight attached and a clip to attach it to your belt loop. The best part of the present is Zachary’s reason for buying it…”now he can screw everything”! I almost peed my pants!
And finally, Zachary did have a little left over for himself and he got himself a monster truck. He told me that he can’t wait until Christmas next year so he can go pick out presents for us again! I think my quest of teaching him that giving feels far better than receiving was a success!!!
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