‘I’ve banned family from buying my children Christmas presents – I hate clutter’
A mum who hates clutter banned family and friends from buying her children presents this Christmas.
Alexandra LaPointe,28, from the US, has a strict policy when it comes to gifting her two kids Ali, three, and Noah, one, with toys for special occasions – and instead only gives them money or fun days out.
In hopes of de-cluttering her home, the stay-at-home mum made the decision to cull toys from the wish list so she could make new memories with her brood and husband Nathan rather than storing masses of unwanted toys.
READ MORE: Mum-of-nine spends thousands on kids each Xmas – including £250 on dinner alone
With Christmas just around the corner, Alexandra enforced her 'no presents rule' and thinks it will encourage her children to be financially savvy themselves.
Her controversial parenting method earned her 46,000 TikTok followers where she often showcases her 'less is more' lifestyle.
But not everyone online is so convinced of her present-less Christmas.
Alexandra explained: "It all started because of clutter and over stimulation.
"Since I became a stay at home mum and I am in the house more instead of out working, I just think that everything overwhelms me more, and also with two little kids.
"I just have been decluttering everything throughout the house and trying to simplify the home. I for sure think that less is more when it comes to kiddos, for adults too, but for them I think it helps them to have less toys out."
She continued: "And then I also like having experiences and making memories with them.
"I love it. I think mostly because they're also pandemic babies. We were stuck in the house for so long and if we get a chance to go and do an activity together, it's so fun living through their eyes, they love it and get so excited.
"My daughter was born three months early and we were in the hospital for a long time so now I'm just kind of in this era of life is so short, let's go and make memories and go and do things if we can, as long as it's safe."
Thinking of her children's futures, Alexandra shared she will put the money from loved ones away towards education or travels for the tots.
"And if they do end up gifting them money, then we are investing that and by the time they go to college or university they'll have money for that, or if they don't want to go that route can use the money for a house later or to travel the world", the mum said.
"I just put a note [on invitation] and said 'she has more than she needs. If you really want to give her something we'd prefer toddler activity gift cards or a contribution towards our savings account.
"And then everybody just bought cards with money and then we invested that for her.
"Everyone just took it so well and at the end of the party I was thinking, 'oh gosh, this is so nice, I don't have a million toys to clean up and put away now."
As the 'no present' birthday rule worked a treat for her toddler's birthday, Alexandra decided to start applying the rule to the festive season.
"That went well for her birthday and so I tried it for another in September and it was great as well, so thought I'd try it for Christmas because last year we didn't have that rule and ended up with like 30-40 toys", she shared.
"For birthdays I do a little note on the invitation and for Christmas I just talked to my mum and sister and explained I was like 'remember last year, how overwhelmed I was for Christmas? They were crying and there were lots of tantrums. Well I want to give this [family not buying gifts] a try and see how it goes'.
"So for my in laws, I just sent them a text and said 'the kids don't really need anything, if you want we can make going to the museum of art the gift."
The mum shared on TikTok her kids will 'always' get presents from her but is planning to reduce the amount to four gifts each.
"I'm hopeful that we can teach them that it's not all about things and we can do things together, and spending time with family is what matters", Alexandra voiced.
Since posting the 'no present' plan for Christmas, many mums have agreed that they too suffer with clutter.
One mum agreed: "We told family we want experienced and memories, so help us take the kids to do something fun. I'm sick of toys that don't matter.
Another user added: "I'm totally in agreement with you. My daughter barely touches toys and if she does, it's just for Christmas Day."
While a third voiced: "Love this!"
Although, not everyone was on board with the idea.
This user jibed: "Bet you're fun at parties."
Someone else remarked: "I'd rather have 10 toys than have to fit another activity into our schedule. Please don't do this to a family with two working parents."
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