Themed Christmas

This sounds probably a little odd and a lot OCD, but I figured out this year what I hope will be a pattern for years to come, especially as my kids get older.

 

I have a system in place that I save one piano check a month (I'm a piano teacher) and that goes specifically toward our Christmas fund.  This is something untouchable, and it makes it really nice to know that I have something set for Christmas.  Anyway, I would like to think I'm a somewhat organized person.  Christmas however, can get very out of control very fast.  So this is what I do to kind of control how many gifts my kids get. 

 

I pick a theme for each one and stick to it.

 

For example:  Last year, my daughter's "big gift" was a play kitchen.  So most of her gifts were food to go along with the kitchen.  I did still get her some clothes and books, but that's what I based my gifts after for her.  Then my son's "big gift" was a little train track with a train.  I decided that he needed more things with wheels, so I got him a bunch of matchbox cars and things like that.  Again, I bought him clothes and things but it was so much easier to shop when I had something specific in mind.  I really believe it helps prevent over spending.

 

So this year, my theme for my daughter is dolls.  Her big gift is a dollhouse, so I've been getting her a bunch of different dolls.  I am planning on making some, and I got some princess dolls (this isn't Barbies, but that time will probably come one day).  Then I got my son a tool bench thing for like $10 at a garage sale, so I bought a tool belt and a tool kit to go along with that.  But since that limits things, I decided to get him "play toys", things like dinosaurs, and a Sheriff Woody doll and other Toy Story stuff.  It doesn't follow the theme, but I like to get each of them some books and a nice church outfit.  But guess what?  I'm pretty much done getting their gifts except for the stuff I have to make.  I really think this whole "themed" Christmas is what's doing the trick.  And I think it should be sustainable and helpful for not letting the gifting get out of control.

One other thing I've been thinking about, is how much credit Santa gets.  And though I love Santa and everything, I think it would be nice to have him limited to the "theme" for the year.  So any gift having to do with that theme is from Santa and all the rest is from us as parents.  That should make it easy to decide what is from Santa and what isn't.  Also, not that I really care, but it might help the kids be a little more grateful to parents instead of giving Santa all the credit.

 

So what do you think?  What are some of your tips for staying organized at Christmas?  And for keeping Santa in check?