Small Holidays

My Daughter is 20 months and I think it is important to reconizes the Holiday's! Go to the Target $1 bins!! They are located right when you walk into the store! They have TONS of Upcoming Holiday stuff for all ages!! Coloring Books, Socks, Markers, Bags etc. You will not spend more than a couple dollars each and you will be able to get them something special for the up coming Valentines & Easter!

Hi S.,

The bunny alwaus leave a few eggs and a chocolate bunny for my girls in the back yard on Easter, they now espect it and look out for a bunny and as soon as they see one they run out to find it. If they don't see a bunny I suggest that may be he's been there already so they go out and look anyway. One of my girs is 8 and she still expect to find it.
I don't do the same for Valentine's since there is too much going on at school and other places with friends....but we usually buy meling chocolate (the color kind) and make lollipops at home for every child and sometimes for neighbors too.
I think it is sweet and they learn to share something good with their favorite neighbors.
Happy Small Hollidays!
Mariana Abadie
www.MyKidsFirst.com

Definitely keep the tradition going. It will be something they will always remember. It's just like anything else with kids - they may not understand when they are little, but it's something they will grow to appreciate each year.

I totally understand your point of view. I am married to a wonderful husband (who is a stay at home Dad! I travel with my job and always leave the house on Sunday and come back home on Friday so he is Mr. Mom!) My children are 10 & 5. They ALWAYS receive gifts for "small holidays". For Valentines Day I have always made my kids Valentines Day baskets! My oldest child is in 4th grade this year and my youngest has started pre-k. Every year since my 10 year old has started school I have always taken her Valentines Day basket to her school to be delivered to her in class. This will be my babies first year that he receives his basket at school. I always make sure their baskets are packed with all kinds of goodies, a stuffed animal, a small gift card to McDonalds, and just stuff that matches each of their personalities. This year I am going to put a small puzzle in my sons because he is stuck on puzzles right now and they are CHEAP. I get them at the Dollar Store for 1 buck! I also put chocolates in their baskets but try to not put very much because I don't want them all sugared up! Anyway, I believe "traditions" like these are very important to our children because it makes them feel so special. These are the things they will remember for the rest of their lives. Good Luck and I hope that I might have helped a little.

Hello S.,

Like you, my parents made sure that we enjoyed every holiday possible when were growing up. I reflect fondly upon my years as a child. I am certainly glad that my family didn't wait for us to hit a certain age before we began celebrating all of lifes special days and little joys.

Men are not nuturers by nature, women are, so what he thinks is stupid is his own business. You are the one who celebrates life, so let your children inherit that from you and your side of the family.

Children know a lot more than they can relate in words. Their eyes light up at the sight of precious stuffed animals and usually their favorite one becomes the one given during a loving occasion.

Schedule picture taking sessions of your dressed up children with Mommy. Send the photos to whomever you believe will appreciate them, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents.
Since you earn your own money you don't need permission to shower your children with gifts.

Half the fun is shopping for coordinating outfits!

You have a right to start your own family traditions don't let anyone who does not understand that stop you from going forth to enjoy life with your children.

Carpe Diem! Seize The Day!
Enjoy Life
Sincerely,
Angie

My mom was always big on holidays , but never much on candy and really your kids are too young for candy at all. My mom would do a few little pocket toys and maybe a specially decorated cookie. My kids are 6, 3, and 1 1/2 and I really think sweets are unnecessary at all, but I don't deny them all the time. I just do it in small doses. My mom would always get us a stuffy for holidays, something small and for the season with a valentine card and a lollipop or something. For easter we would get jelly beans in our baskets, but not much else and she always put in spinning tops, windmills, clackers, or something else small and kinda nostalgic from her childhood. It bridges the generation gap and they are always fun and inexpensive. You don't have to go crazy since your kids are so young, but doing something is important because traditions are important to teach children so they know they are always thought about and loved and together you build a stronger family bond.

Maybe for 13 mos, but not 4 years. He is aware of what is going on. Tell cheapo to pony up and do it up right. You don't live long believeing in those thing. And believing in dreams is what this country is built on. I would like to see a study done on kids whose families believe and perpetuated the belief in Santa Tooth fairy Easter Bunny and so and the direct relationship to success. My guess is very high. Believe and achieve. When you are little you imagination and dreams can rule the world. God love the little ones. That is what keeps us young.

Keep the tradition going, it makes us all feel like kids and they will always remember those special times. I agree about candy, not always best choice especially for your youngest. My husband had a great solution for Valentines Day all the girls get a red rose. The kids love to smell them and keep water on them, they think its great they get same thing as mom, and lasts a lot longer. For Easter we color eggs together and they get an Easter basket with small toys (Dollar General is good place to find inexpensive things to put in basket) like bubbles, kite, etc. My 4 year old loves to fly kites. Then Easter morning the bunny has come and hid the eggs all over and they love looking for them.

NO it's not stupid as a WSAHM of 2 I have alway's over done it a lil with my oldest who is now 4, now that my girl is 1 I have to cut back. But a lil something and telling them what it is for and what lil holiday it is for will go along way they have to be taught before they will know what something is or the meaning of.So what ever your heart's desire there is something at the store for all ages on any given holiday.Keep up the tradition, they are getting lost in this crazy world.For my lil girl who is almost 13 mths I'm giving her a fluffy kitty cat and a spring sweater along with pudding in a heart shaped basket,that will be used to put socks in later.My 4 yr old a car's shirt& pudding.You don't have to give them candy or an expensive toy something small they like right now will do.

Hi Sandy!
Continue your traditions! Eventually your wonderful children will grow to understand them and pass them along to your grandchildren! Tell your husband it is not always about understanding but watching the smiles on their faces! What more could any parent ask for!
Good luck!!
Nell

Hi S.,
My older son was only 4 months old on his first Easter, so I bought a little inexpensive basket with some grass and got an Easter book and bunny. He also had been given a special outfit and First Easter bib to wear. I had to have something for him since I received a basket with a bunny on my first Easter and I was less than a month old! Just keep it simple, and instead of candy, get a book or age appropriate toy. They will love looking back at pictures of themselves and their "firsts".

Hello S.!
I have 3 kids. 8,4 and 2 1/2 ! I like to give them books for valentine's day! We love to read and this way I feel good abut giving them something little,that we can all enjoy together!!! Of course they get a small candy as well :)! I'm German and my parents always got me a bigger toy for easter! Usually a bike ,rollerblades,...! Somerthing I would have all summer. I like to do that as well if the kids need something. That way I don't just go out and buy it for no reason and they don't have to wait for theit bday wich are in august,sept and oct. A little late for "outside" toys!!
I hope this is helpful!
I guess that way it's justified to celebrate a little :)

It never hurts a child to have a tradition. Every year on Christmas Eve we open one present. Without fail, it is always a new pair of pajamas that we wear to bed that night. Even now, at 33 years old, I look forward to going to my mom's on Christmas eve to open that one present! If you want to start a tradition on Valentines and Easter, go ahead. Children will learn to look forward to the tradition. Think outside the box. For my niece, who is 8, we will pack an Easter basket with books, markers, hair accessories, etc for her. My dad also sits with her and colors eggs.

My family was always the same way. Candy on both holidays and decorating Easter eggs. But with my children it's a little more complicated. My first was born on Valentine's and my second on St. Patrick's Day. (Kinda killed the lovey dovey hubby time on Valentine's.) And though he thinks it's silly as well, the kids love the chocolate and he doesn't throw a fit about it even though he's not really into it. You may see if maybe even though he thinks it's silly, if he really cares that you do it anyway. We also wake up really early to watch the sun rise Easter morning. It's another tradition.

S.
It has always been a tradition in my family to do Easter baskets and Valentine gifts. I did this for my sons from the time of birth till today even though they are 21 years and 23 years old. When they were infants and toddlers their Easter basket usually contained an appropriate toy or a stuffed animal or an article of clothing and a similar gift on Valentines. Candy was included as they got old enough. Sure it was more important to me than them when they were really young but it was important to me to have those traditions.

B. M.

I know what you mean, I like to keep these kind of traditions going but chances are, the memories you have are from when you were older than the age of your kids. I'm not big on giving my kids a lot of sweets so I still do small Valentine gifts and Easter baskets but I put small things like books, hotwheels or a baby toy...something they will appreciate at that age and try to stay away from a lot of candy. The 4 year old will definitely remember a tradition started at this age cause it's repeated every year, that's how it becomes a tradition:)

S.-
The tradition we have with my 3 kids for these small holidays in lieu of candy is they get character bandaids, new toothbrushes, new toothpaste, character bubble bath/soap, new art supplies (colors, playdough, paper, etc.) or stickers, etc. They are 5 now & we have been doing this for quite some time. For Easter, they always each get a kite as most Easter's we try to go outside at the family gathering & fly kites. Relatives usually give the kids baskets of fruit. Grandparents usually give baskets with underwear (diapers) &/or socks, pj's, etc. I think the idea here is if you want to give them something, that is fantastic, but I like the items to be practical items that will benefit everyone. Maybe if you talk to your hubby about getting them each a new pair of pj's or items that they will, he will change his mind.

Another idea that would be good for the 13 month old is to take them on a special outing to celebrate the occasion. perhaps a special park (indoor or outdoor), or Magic House or zoo or something like that. Good luck.
Jen

I say keep the tradition going! It's how your young children will get to learn about the grandfather that they didn't get to meet/know. If your children don't eat candy give them something else that would be a treat for them. Maybe for fruit snacks or small cookies. You can change to candy as it becomes age appropriate. As for Easter Baskets, I go all out! It's like Christmas in a basket! and it is always so fun to do for the young kids before there toys get to be to expensive. Fun new sippy cups, eating utensils, socks,coloring books & crayons, matchbox cars, littlest petshop,....there are tons of little things that will fit into a basket! Actually, my kids baskets only have a couple pieces of candy in them. Have fun with it. I'm so looking forward to doing a baby basket again this year!

For the 13 months old you can buy a small basket or bucket and put some ducks and other bath toys, you can put a toothbrush, some small hard cover books.

The 4 year old get toys that you think he/she will like, get some books, and maybe a some M&M's if he/she is allowed to have candy.

Last year my son was 14 mths and we went on an easter egg hunt and then use that basket and put ducks and bubbles and other small things he could play with then Easter Morning we rehid the eggs he found at the Easter egg hunt and placed them around the house inside, (it was raining out) and my son went looking for them again, he had fun. The eggs had some candy and stickers.

Just make it fun for them, do what you think is right, every kid should have fun wether they are to young to remember, get them on video and pics, atleast you know you did something for them even tho hubby thinks its stupid.

Good Luck

I too remember fond memories of my childhood such as "cupid" for Valentin'es day or the "lepruchan" for ST. Patrick's Day, the Easter bunny, Santa. I do small gifts of toys or clothing, special cupcakes and goodie bags. For Valentine's day I get heart mylar balloons and glitter to prove cupid really was here. Your children are only young once, so my advice is to enjoy them. These are memories U will never forget. Get something for the hubby as well, in hopes he will become inspired. I may go overboard to an extreme, but I can promise U it is definately worth it! Best of luck to U!

S.,
Isn't being married fun! Your husband didn't have the same experience as you growing up. Although, tradition is good its 'what the family does for memories' like the ones you hold so dear to your heart. I'd get with my husband, (if he talks) and see if he wants to add some of his own tradition, and you give some of yours. Its great that you are not mad about it and are considering his feelings, I hope he is doing the same for you. Memories are something to hold forever, you and your husband could come up of your own tradition, although, the easter bunny doesn't exist, it's not damaging, it gives you a warm feeling as a kid, but, as your kids get older, and santa doesn't exist, and they go to school and this could be a social problem, small, but real. Social behavior is a whole new world. I'm sure you will get more responses on this one. Good luck on your decision. If your husband doesn't have any tradition, make some up of your own together. Be creative!
D. E.

Who says you have to give candy??? Give a stuffed animal to your older one. Your baby can wait until next year. For Easter do the same, get a basket that will last for years and fill it with a stuffed animal, small toys, colors and coloring book, stuff like that. Maybe even a package of Peeps. You can even have a basket for the baby with a few teething toys and a new outfit. Then next year when they are older and are starting to understand more, they won't expect a lot of candy. Since our girls get Valentines candy at school, we don't give them any here, just a card. And when they were younger and believed in the Easter Bunny they would dye eggs and leave some in their basket for the EB to eat. One year he gave them roller skates in return. There is nothing wrong with passing on traditions, make a compromise with your husband for this year. They are young, but not to young. Enjoy the Easter surprises now, cuz one day they will learn who the Bunny dude is and then it's not so much fun for you.

I would buy them a small box at the dollar store and them I would buy some easy frozen cookie dougt and make cookies with my 4 year old. Then for easter I would make a small basket for the kids with a easter type book to read to the four year old, a toy and a small bag of candy. For your 9months there is not a lot you can do , but when Jeff was about that age I give him a rubber duckie for his bath, that would be cute for easter. I bet if you kept the money cost wise down your hubby might come around after he see the joy you and your kids get out of these little things. Also do not forget to take your 4 year old to a Easter Egg Hunt.

Go get them a treat. It's fun for you and them. Just go do it. I mean this in the nicest way but don't listen to your husband..lol

Keep up the traditions! It's something you and your kids will always remember & it's great fun. We also do the same thing. I'll probably get our son (2 y/o) some candy, but I also got him a couple new books. One of the books talks about Valentines day. Last year, for Easter, I put a book in his basket that told the story of Easter. This will also help him learn about the holiday. Our son was 15 months last Easter, but as soon as he saw the foil covered chocolate bunny, he knew it was something good to eat, even if he didn't understand yet why it was there. Have fun!

I think it is great to do those small things. My husband always gets our daughter flowers or candy and a card. I get our boys some candy. You are teaching them from a young age how important it is to stop and take the time to show your appriciation for those whom you love. If it is the commercialism he disagrees with, why dont both of you just write a "love" poem to each kid. They can read these as they get older and see what you loved about them at each age.

As far as easter, the easter bunny at our house brings spring outdoor funness. Kites, jumpropes, bubbles, sidewalk chalk. We fill eggs with dollar tree trinkets more than candy.

Maybe your husband thinks its stupid cause his family didnt do it. Make sure he is around to see the bright faces in the morning when they recieve the gifts. Oh- we also go outside after Christmas and Easter and scream thanks to Santa or the Easter Bunny. My boys are 12 and 10 and girl is 5. I tell them if they are too "cool" to say thanks, they are too "cool" for presents.... Good Luck!

Depending on how much you want to put in for it, for my daughter this year she got to adopt an animal from the zoo.
She got to pick out which animal, she got a stuffed animal that matched what she adopted ( lion) then a certificate with her name on it and a 5x7 pic of that animal. It's something special you can put into a scrap book for them and it helps out the animals at the zoo!

Hi S., I say "go ahead" celebrate. If it brings joy to you to do something a little special for your kids on a smaller holiday, I don't see why you wouldn't. As for them not knowing what the day is all about because of their age, take pictures, they'll see them when they are old enough and learn the meaning and appreciate them. Isn't creating memories really what's important whether it's a holiday or not. Either way, I wouldn't put too much stress on yourself to celebrate everything or not celebrate at all. Have fun, make memories with your kids. You have one of your dad, wouldn't you like your kids to have some too.

I am going through the same thing. At Christmas I was told not to make a big deal since he was only 10 months and wouldn't remember anyway. Now that his birthday is next Wednesday it is the same arguement.

Tell your husband that family and family traditions are a big deal. They shouldn't be forgotten or taken for granted. That even if they don't know now, they will remember when they are older, either with pictures or video or just plain old good memories. God forbid, but there are no guarantees that any of us will be here tomorrow and if you miss out on a "small holiday" now you may not get it to celebrate it next year.

If it is important to you to continue a tradition that your Dad started, then it seems that no harm can be done by continuing it. I would keep it rather small and inexpensive, especially if your husband doesn't support this idea 100 percent. Anyway, it is often just the idea of unwrapping something that brings the most joy to kids, especially at your kids' age. The whole point of gift giving is to share your love and commemorate something special. So, it may be helpful to understand the bigger meaning behind the times you celebrate certain occasions so when your kids get older, you CAN explain to them the special meaning of each gift giving moment.

By the way, your 4 year old certainly can understand some of the meaning behind these traditions. And, it never hurts to go ahead and begin sharing with your 13 month old the significance of Valentine's Day and Easter - especially Easter. They will get it soon!

Have fun and celebrate!!!

I have read your request about the small holidays. I have a son that is almost 2 and even last year, I bought him a little something for the holidays like that. My mom always tried to do a little something for us on the holidays as well. The kids are getting so much candy and junk that I decided to omit the candy from my gifts. For Valentines Day both last year and this year, I bought him a book that involves the holiday. Target's book section has a variety of V-Day books for the kinds. For easter, I did give him an easter basket, but instead of filling it with candy, I put in a set of hot wheels, a book about Easter and then a package of his favorite Gerber crackers since he was so small at the time. I figure that this is a win-win. I wanted to do something special for him but at the same time, he couldn' do a lot of the candy stuff. I love to do little traditions like this. I think that it makes them feel a little more special. It doesn't have to be extravagant, but it is a nice feeling!! I say Go For It!! Hopefully I ws of some help to you.

A little about me:

Full time working, married mom of a 22-month old son and a little girl on the way in May.

Hi S.,
I do the same for my kids. I buy them something for easter and valentines every year. Usually at easter they will get an outfit or something like this. For valentines I will buy them a little chocolate candies and a shirt or something.