WFMW: A great way to help siblings shop for each other

For more wonderful ideas, be sure to check out Works for Me Wednesday at Rocks in My Dryer!

Okay, I'll admit -- I don't really know if this works for me, because I haven't tried it yet. But, I am all set to do it, and I'm excited. So, darn it -- that's close enough, right? (Plus, I wanted to share it in enough time to give other people time to try it this year, if they wanted to.)

Oh, and to give appropriate credit for the idea, I read about this idea in the latest issue of Family Fun Magazine.

My kids are eight, six, and three. Up until this point, they have not purchased Christmas gifts for each other. I had wanted them to exchange gifts last year, but we just never got around to it, and I couldn't figure out the logistics anyway.

This year, after a trip to Walmart today, I now have enough stuff to set up "Mom's Christmas Shop" in my bedroom. I bought a few gifts that I thought would be appropriate for each child -- all costing between $1.48 - $4.98. Despite the various costs, I will actually only price my items right around $1 per item. Maybe even $2 on the higher priced things -- I haven't decided for sure. Then, I will invite each of the boys to shop without each other.

For instance, when Noah (age 8) comes up, I will have one area of gifts to choose from for Jack and one area of gifts to choose from for Molly. I will let Noah shop for one gift for each of them, and then help him wrap his gifts. Then, I will put away the gifts that were possible for Jack, and I'll put out the ones for Noah, and then I'll invite Jack up and let him shop and wrap. I will have the boys bring up their own allowance to pay for their purchases.

I will include Molly (age 3) at some later time. We envisioned her trying to keep all of the toys for the boys for herself and throwing a fit. So, maybe next year she will actually get to "shop." But, this year, I will shop from the leftovers for her.

I like that with this shopping idea, I can pre-select things that I think are appropriate, and my kids don't have to be overwhelmed with deciding from a whole store of toys.

I had thought to just return the extras to Walmart for a refund. But, then I realized, "Hey -- why not just keep the leftovers to fill their stockings?" (My kids will probably not remember that they are the same, because that's just them.)

So...I'm at least hoping that this will work for me! And, who knows -- maybe it can work for you too!