The season of giving is upon us and gift guides are everywhere. I love gift guides and getting new ideas and inspiration from others. I welcome products that make my life easier and happier.
However, not all gifts that will be given will be welcomed with parental joy. I think there should be a list available to loved ones of items to avoid. Those gifts that give parents headaches and heart palpitations.
So, I made a list of things I give a big NOPE to for the holidays.
Glitter. I appreciate craft time and creative projects, and adding glitter can certainly add some extra magic. But why-oh-why must glitter litter my home like a fairy dust bomb exploded? I give this one a big Nope.
Ant Farms. I’m not sure who came up with this and who the heck thought it was a brilliant idea to make it into a kids toy…but I am guessing it wasn’t a parent. These “toys” are not permanently sealed. They are filled ants and sand. No thank you.
Kazoos and harmonicas. Those little suckers are easy to miss as they be slipped into pockets without notice. You will agree after you have had the displeasure of being startled with a blaring solo by your 3 year old in a car on the freeway when you are unable to stop and confiscate. Concentrating on driving while someone is playing a kazoo or harmonica loudly in the backseat is a true skill and one that should probably go on one’s resume.
Brown clay and brown Play-Doh. Although Play-Doh in general is a fan favorite at our house, this color selection can result in mistaken identity when left unattended in a misshapen clump after playtime it can cause parental panic.
Rubber bouncy balls. You know those annoying little balls that you can get in prize vending machines for a quarter. They are always positioned at just the right height for your children to see and beg for. They are terrible to bounce in the house because they inevitably break something….resulting in crying. They are terrible to bounce outside because they inevitably get lost or bounce out of reach..resulting in crying. Let’s just exclusively keep these for use only in the game of jacks….or a nearby dumpster.
Drum sticks. I’m not one to stifle musical ambition, but let’s keep drum sticks out of the hands of small children. They are rarely used around my house for actual drumming resulting in musical or rhythmic sound. They inevitably turn into weapons or things to poke and jab others. That’s a nope to drumsticks. Let’s save that for when we are ready for legit band practice.
We are all trying to survive the holidays. Let’s avoid giving the gift of parental anguish. I’m not asking for frankincense or sugarplums…just don’t give my children another ant farm or a set of drum sticks. I am a fairly agreeable person, but sometimes you just have to draw a line in the sand and name that line NOPE.
This year let’s all find gifts that make parents happy, and not make others immediately dig for the gift receipt.
Happy Holidays!
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