About Rebecca Eckler
Since becoming pregnant with her daughter Rowan, Canadian journalist and author Rebecca Eckler has penned three hilarious books, including the best-selling Knocked Up. Catch Rebecca’s weekly unique perspective on motherhood and single parenthood.
Presents!
eckler plus one canada
(Oct.29.09)
Man, my daughter RAKED it in.
Three nights after my daughter’s sixth birthday party, we finally unwrapped some of her gifts.Our living room looked like Christmas morning after a family of 18 opened their presents. Wrapping paper, envelopes, cards, and tissue paper were everywhere.
A couple of years ago, I remember this movement – if that’s the word – for gift-less birthday parties. The idea was that instead of your child getting gifts, you would collect twenty dollars from every parent. Half the money collected was to give to charity and the other half was for your child to buy one big present.
In theory, I really like this idea. A lot of paper does go to waste, a charity benefits, and, really, what six- year-old needs 40 presents in one day?
“OK, let’s open just one more,” I said to my daughter. I felt sick looking at how many gifts she received, but, truthfully, I was also having the time of my life. Opening birthday presents is a learning experiment.
First, I made the mistake of telling those who asked what my daughter was into that she liked “arts and crafts.” I wasn’t thinking. Now we have enough beads to fill a bathtub and so much paint I could paint every room in my house.
I also realized that the gift I usually give – a book – is not good enough. I know, I know. A book should be good enough, but, reality-check: IT’S NOT! My daughter received jewelry boxes, purses, easy bake ovens, costumes, an iPod, a wooden easel, gift cards to H&M (Yeah, I’ll be taking those!). One mother accidently left the actual receipt instead of the gift receipt and I saw that she spent $230. (Totally unnecessary, but great outfit! Thanks!) If Rowan did receive a book, it came with another bigger present.
It seems people are only getting more generous with birthday gifts. Why not? It’s their birthday, after all, and seeing my daughter’s face light up opening the gifts was priceless. Can you really celebrate a birthday without presents? Is a present as much fun if you can’t unwrap it?
Same with loot bags. No one just gives out candy necklaces anymore. Loot bags include earmuffs, cute socks and mittens, baseball hats, backpacks, even spa sets for children.
I’m not sure how this will play out in the future – will our children be totally spoiled and unappreciative? But, for now, I say, let them have their cake (and their presents) and eat it too.
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