Yesterday after dinner, the family and I worked on our wish list. I printed out the template that we use every year. The whole family has the freedom to write in their wish list whatever they want to… but we make it very clear that there are no guarantees that they will get everything on their list.
We have taught them early that we cannot get everything that we want or we will be spoiled. But as people look at the list and if they get something for us on the list then it will help us to be that much more appreciative and thankful.
So we break up the list into 3 categories: Most Expensive, Moderately Expensive, Minimally Expensive. Under each category, we give the kids (and the parents) spaces to write in their wish. We use the inverse principle – the “Most Expensive” category has fewer blanks spaces and the “Minimally Expensive” category has the most blanks.
Why is it so easy to fill up the “Most Expensive” list so quickly (and a longing to have more spaces under this category)? I am tired of the socks under the minimally category 🙂