We may have gotten totally coordinated and on the same page when it comes to the holiday custody arrangement - but my ex and I still aren’t in synch when it comes to gift giving.
While we celebrate Hanukkah at my house, I don’t give little gifts - or even one big gift, for that matter. Sure, there’s chocolate, and other treats. And I do stockings for the kids when we celebrate our own Christmas Adam - but I feel that my kids get a ton of stuff throughout the course of the year, and they want for nothing. Why roll out a parade of gifts once a year?
Of course, I have the luxury of indulging my philosophies because the kids will most definitely get a parade of gifts at Dad’s house. Even though he understands and tries to respect my feelings, well - his partner adores Christmas, and loves to make a fuss. And her extended family also includes my kids in the holiday action as well.
And then there’s my mother - she has a hard enough time figuring out when Hanukkah is, so I’ve learned to shrug my shoulders and let her do what she will.
In fact, I’ve learned to shrug my shoulders every year when my kids get buried with stuff each December.
But is it too much to ask that the stuff stay at Dad’s house (save for, um, the new underwear and socks they both get each year - I’m always glad to see those) ? Or that Grandma refrain from sending gifts with gazillions of pieces, please?
Or do I just end up looking like the Christmas Crank?