Buying
kids clothes for the holidays is mostly a crap shot. Ask any parent and they will probably tell you the same exact same thing: the kids dont want them, but they need them. When you are buying clothing for kids for Christmas, Chanukah, or Kwanzaa, you are essentially giving them something that they need instead of something they want, which, in their mind, means that you are actually taking away a chance for a really great gift and replacing it with something lame like clothing. Heck, even kids who dont mind going clothes shopping would probably rather get the newest hit toy or video game then receive a new sweater or pairs of underwear. Of course, as a parent, you know they need this clothing and that the holidays are the perfect time to get it for them. With that said, there are tricks to making sure you actually get them something that they want.
First of all, buying clothing for your kids isnt a punishment; you are just getting them stuff that they need. With that in mind, bring them in on the process. Every child, whether you think so or not, thinks that some type of clothing is cool. Take note of this when you take them clothes shopping throughout the year. Notice what types of colors and styles they like. You might say that as a parent you do this anyway. While this is true, you also need to be aware that you also have a tendency to push them into buying certain styles or pieces of clothing that you think they need instead of what they want. This is fine, but Christmas should be about getting them what they want, as well as what they need.
For example, unless they specifically ask for socks and underwear, dont get them socks and underwear. You can get them those any other time of the year, leave your clothes purchasing to things they will unwrap and actually like. If you know they like a certain style or shirts, jeans, dresses, or a sweatshirt that you know they will like, get those for them. Getting them stuff they actually like means that when they unwrap the gifts thats scream with excitement, not terror.
In addition, dont use the Holidays as a chance to buy them anything you think is cute. Weve all seen The Christmas Story with the Bunny Suit; dont make the same mistake. Dont get them some woefully out of date sweater or some dress you think is cute but they will never way. By doing that you are just wasting money on stuff they will never wear and continuing the stereotype of bad Holiday clothing gifts.
