Waste Not, Want Not

I am not the Grinch. I do not relate to Scrooge. Yet if my children ask me for another informercial "Slushy Magic" or "Fazoodle" I will fissure like a fault line running through California. 

Let the holidays be gone. Poof. More specifically, let the gift giving, present swapping, over buying, trinket trading cease. My children need nothing and want everything. I know they have everything they need: health, food, clothing, a roof over their heads, school and a loving family. Everything else that can be bought at Toys R Us or any other den of toys is superfluous. 

Giving gifts is a feel-good activity, especially when you know you've found the perfect gift, but something is unleashed during holiday time that sends regular, penny-wise parents into shopping drones willing to kill for a Zhu Zhu pet. Include me. I go into fairness mode, making sure the the piles for each child look even despite my manifesto of "less is more." I love seeing the joy on each little face when something wanted is received, but I am promoting the wrong message and equally anticipating the wrong response. 

Having Fun with the Basics - No Barbies needed

As I survey my house this morning, seeing dissected packing and metal twists, I see presents and presents that have yet to be opened. I was sure that when I was buying Chad a parking garage worth of Lego cars to build, he would zealously assemble them. Wrong. The only assembling taking place is my stacking the boxes in the corner of his room for what or how long, I don't know. I stupidly bought the girls enough dolls to recreate the Rockettes kick line at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and since the third night of Chanukah the dolls have seen more action from my dogs eating their faces and chewing off their limbs than from the girls. Easily the most expensive dog chews I ever bought.

You'd think I would learn. When I was nine I picked up a hot iron and seared, I think, every finger. I also haven't picked up an iron since then. Clearly the burn from over buying is less painful, but does wear a shroud of waste and shame. Additionally, the annual night before Chanukah dispute Todd and I have over the enormity of wastefulness sitting in our dining room wears off before the next buying season begins. He is right.  

I hate waste of any kind but I am often guilty of creating it and overlooking it. My mother-in-law Marcia does too but unlike me, she consciously does a pretty good job of practicing what she preaches. She buys my kids what they need, not always what they want, and they are thrilled with what they unwrap regardless. She buys on sale or clearance, keeps receipts for returns and doesn't buy in over abundance - ever. We should all take a page from her book of lessons.

The uptick is that 2012 is around the corner and it's my time for new resolutions. Next year needs to be different. Truthfully, if no one bought my children another gift for the next two years, five years, they would still have everything they need. My job is to help myself and my kids know this and live it. I have to live what I say out loud, so I lay myself bare for 2012:

• Teach joy in giving not receiving.
• Teach my children the meaning of a dollar through earning it not spending it.
• Give to those who need necessities to live, not to those who just want it because...
• Remind myself that a book is a terrific gift.
• Eliminate excess and embrace enjoying what you have.
• Want not, waste not

And always remind the Berlent trio that joy comes from a good hearty laugh, a warm hug, a full belly, great friends and of course, completing a terrific book.

See you next year!