I was chatting with friends, and the question arose as to whether or not we purchase all the gifts on our kids’ wish lists from Santa.

I don’t remember what I wished for when I was little. I don’t remember Christmases filled with toys. And after my parents’ divorce, the only thing I remember is bouncing from house to house on Christmas Day.

Did that affect me as an adult? Maybe. I want my kids to remember everything about the holidays. We have our advent calendar, our activity wreath (we pull an activity daily for the month of December off of a wreath I made), our homemade countdown. We open one gift on Christmas Eve, and it’s always pajamas. We will spend every Christmas Day at our own home, either with visiting relatives or not, if they choose not to come. But we refuse to travel and want our kids to have Christmas Day at their own home.

Do I want to give my kids everything they ask for? Absolutely. If money were no object, Christmas would be an over abundance of gifts. They would have everything on their list and more.

But honestly, what I think is the biggest treat is not getting that thing they asked for once to the mall Santa. I think it’s the surprise gifts, the ones they didn’t ask for. I have found a few good deals this season, and I am excited to see the girls’ faces on Christmas morning.

Did I get all the gifts on my oldest daughter’s list? I tried, but there was one thing on it I couldn’t – she wanted a stage. Yes, a stage, with lights, curtains, the whole thing. Unless someone can build me one by next week, Santa is going to leave a little note, stating building code restrictions…

Amy appears Wednesdays on TriangleMom2Mom. Read more about Amy at her blog A Family Story.