Part of what kept all the presents under control were the gift cards and cash that many of the kids received in lieu of toys. This has been especially good for the older boys who have very specific wants in very specific stores. After burning holes through their pockets for a week now, we took this last vacation day and headed to Target.
Target had been pretty well picked over from the Christmas gift-giving season, but what remained was pure bargain heaven! The kids each had close to $100 to spend(Yikes!), and were loving the opportunity to walk up and down the aisles without restraint. I tried my best to bite my tongue when they would pick out something really "stupid" and a waste of money.....this was their chance, after all, to make their own decisions. Because of the sales, some of my *wiser* shoppers were able to buy some really cool things that would have been too expensive normally. Poor Laura was probably the most enthusiastic shopper of them all as she grabbed every remaining Dora item off of the shelves....bummer for her was that she had the least amount of money, and obviously no concept of it!
Upon arriving back home, the kids brought all of their toys up to the big
bedroom to open and play with. It made for a very peaceful and relaxing evening, as they were all so busy with their post-holiday finds. Jonny bought a new video game, Alex, some computer stuff, Laura got a really neat Dora talking playhouse for just $30, Crispy bought some more beloved Pokemon figures (because 325 of them just isn't enough), and Tubby found a toy train. The *bestest* deal we got was Butterscotch, the Fur Real pony that was 50% off. This 
pony is big enough to sit on, and the head, ears, eyes, and tail actually move very realistically to sound and light. I had been so skeptical of this thing....even when displayed in the stores, it was cute, but not impressive, and certainly not worth the $$$$$. But once we set it up at home, it was solely responsive to us....and not to all the other noise found in a crowded store.....and we discovered that it was extremely cool! It responds so well, that it is impossible to just walk by it without giving it a pat and some words of endearment as though it were really alive. Melissa spent the rest of the evening going on many "adventures" with her new pony, "Roy".All in all, the kids accomplished what they wished for out of the experience....spending their gift money and buying new toys with which they got to play with immediately. And after an hour and a half in the toy aisle, 3 carts full to the brim, and the biggest Target bill I have ever seen in my life, I benefited from watching my kids experience pure joy and satisfaction with THEIR purchases that THEY made on their own.....(even the "stupid" ones!)
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