Christmas is in two weeks. I have yet to buy my two-year-old anything for Christmas. I will buy them something, but I can not rationalize spending a substantial amount of money on the last Christmas they don’t exactly understand. 

We’re in the sweet spot. The kid is old enough to know there’s a holiday but does not quite understand why there’s a holiday. They like Santa but don’t understand the myth. Last week we drove by a giant Krampus display and the kid thinks it’s Santa sticking his tongue out. I did not attempt to explain how Santa and Krampus are different. I let them believe that it is just a giant Santa sticking his tongue out. Why ruin a good thing? Why educate them about the myths and traditions and commercialism around the holiday? Really quick, I’m all for myths and traditions and commercialism. This is not about that. This is about actually giving the kid something they want. 

The kid loves toy cars. Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars are definitely in their top 5 current toys. So if I’m going to buy anything, why not purchase seemingly indestructible pieces of metal and plastic that only cost $1? I highly, highly doubt I’ll get another Christmas where I can get away with spending this little and giving this much joy. 

There are zero items in the Amazon toy catalog that costs $1. This is the only toy catalog I’ve perused because it’s the only toy catalog I’ve received in the mail. I do not want to do a deep dive to find a toy that costs much more than $1 and does not give my child nearly as much joy as the $1 toy. 

Am I lacking something? Do I not understand a basic facet of modern parenting during the holidays?

Is it about impressing others? If it is, who am I trying to impress? And why? I think I’ve established my kid will be thrilled with more tiny toy cars and since no one else other than their mom is their parent, who cares what anyone else thinks?

I have a feeling I’ll be one of those parents assembling bikes and train sets and other toys that require Allen wrenches, but why rush it? My kid is not deprived of any joy from a lack of overpriced metal and plastic. Metal and plastic configurations that cost $1 will please them as much as metal and plastic configurations that cost $100. 

I know I received toys other than Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars as a two-year-old. And I have no memories of anything I received at two-years-old. I can’t be sure, but I’m pretty certain I would have been just as happy with Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars. And if we’re all just trying to relive our childhoods through our children, why not give them what will bring them the most joy that happens to cost $1?

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