My DDs birthday is November & with Christmas right after I make a point of gifting things May and June. Its more along lines of ‘lets get ready for summer/pool/vacation’ but it is gifted and a big deal. I feel that w/o making it as something out of the ordinary it could become an expectation rather than a treat. But it sounds like you feel it’s working gor you and your kid.

Anonymous wrote:I used to do that when DCs were young because there is no real difference between enriching material and toys. I wanted them to have these things right away -- example, my DC got into puzzles, I wanted to get her more puzzles. They change so much in a few months that it would not be good 6 months later. I think that's fine when they're young and don't have much sense of time and holidays anyway. Now they're older and I do try to limit to Christmas and birthdays. The presents are now what they ask for -- and they can wait a few months until birthday to get it. But I'll buy them books throughout the year.

This. Every once in a blue moon I may see something small I think they'd like and get it, but for the most part they have to wait. My mom on the other hand....but she lives far away and I think it helps her feel connected to them.

I replenish art supplies and consumable outdoor things like chalk and bubbles as they get used.

But we only buy our kids presents from us at birthday time. Christmas, gifts come from Santa. The Easter bunny usually brings one or two outdoor focused things- new goggles or swimsuit or a kite. I usually give each kid a chocolate on Valentine’s Day.

We give a little money for our annual vacation so they can buy a souvenir or two and our oldest started getting an allowance in 1st grade, though I’ve yet to see her spend any of it outside of a birthday and Christmas gift for her sibling...

Same here as 13:57. At almost 7 and 5, they are starting to ask for things that I consider gifts - lego sets, or a watch, or something else that isn't arts and craft supplies or a puzzle. So, when they ask, I say they can either buy it for themselves now with their money or add it to their bday/Xmas request list. 95% of the time, it is a spur of the moment wish and they forget about it later.

I used to do that when DCs were young because there is no real difference between enriching material and toys. I wanted them to have these things right away -- example, my DC got into puzzles, I wanted to get her more puzzles. They change so much in a few months that it would not be good 6 months later. I think that's fine when they're young and don't have much sense of time and holidays anyway. Now they're older and I do try to limit to Christmas and birthdays. The presents are now what they ask for -- and they can wait a few months until birthday to get it. But I'll buy them books throughout the year.

We only give gifts on Christmas and birthday. You do you though.

Throughout the year, I buy toys whenever I feel like & it is on sale for my 3 year old. It is all online purchases, and we open them together once they are delivered at the door. I never give special gifts to him on Christmas & birthday (around labor day), but there are always gifts for him though because I love online holiday shopping. DH says that I should only give wrapped gifts to our son on Christmas & his birthday. Even if I purchase them in advance, I should hide them & wait till those special days to give them to him. I don't shop much as I used to be, and right now I mostly shop for books, legos, stem products, art & crafts.