There's a curse in my family. (By writing that sentence, I have to smile since I know my parents and sister will recognize exactly what I'll be referring to today..)
We call it the [redacted] Curse. (I'm sure other families have it too, so just insert your last name and make it your own.)
When I was younger, every time a birthday or holiday came around and presents were bought, it took everything my mom or dad had not to give it to us before the actual day came. I can't tell you how many birthdays were celebrated weeks or even months prior to the calendar's approval because my mom was anxious to see our faces upon opening this thoughtful gift, which was usually handed over with the words, "I was trying to wait for your birthday/Hanukkah/Saturday, but I really want you to have it now".
Of course, the merriment and happiness of receiving said present would last until the real reason for celebration came and then my sister or I would be left wondering, "Dude, where's my present?"
My mom's eyebrows would raise in response. "We gave it to you last week/month/year. Remember?" You thankless brat. *
Then my sister or I would pout. "But it's my birthday/Hanukkah/Take Your Daughter to Work Day NOW. I want to open SOMETHING." Maybe this will score me some more loot?
My mother would smile. "Sorry, love. Why don't you play with your present now and just enjoy it?" Because you're not getting anything else and you're interrupting General Hospital.
So this tradition of preliminary gift exchanges became known as the [redacted] Curse because none of us in the family could seem to hold this secret in our hot little hands and always blew the surprise long before we were supposed to.
Now, after having spent the last decade of holidays and birthdays with John, I realize we have the same problem. Especially when it comes to each other. Hell, we don't even withhold the element of any surprise anymore. If we're at the store (Costco is a big offender) and John or I see something that he or I would like to have, the other throws it into the cart and says, "Happy birthday", checking THAT item off the list. (If that doesn't say romance.... well, I know it doesn't.)
Of course, this extends to Sprite as well. We CANNOT seem to keep anything sacred anymore! Any reason to give her a toy or game has us hauling it out of hiding and handing it over. "She pooped in the potty! Give her the present we got her! I want to see her smile!"
Her third birthday is coming up in November. While at Disney World, she discovered the most magnificent Cinderella's Castle Playset that is exclusive to the parks. (No, we didn't pay HALF as much as the price you see there. Turns out it's actually MUCH cheaper if you get it directly from the source. Who knew?) Every time she saw it in the various stores on property, she closed in and gushed over the details and the fact that it is "A castle!". Since I've been on the lookout for a dollhouse anyway, this just seems to fit her personality more, so, the morning we left, I rushed into the hotel gift shop and bought one, bringing it out in a nondescript box. (Did you know they keep some of the Castle playsets in plain boxes for those parents who are trying to pull one over on the little one until they actually WANT to give it to them? How cool is Disney? VERY.)
Sprite doesn't know we have it in the house. I'm trying to wait until her birthday party to reveal it. John has asked me repeatedly to just give it to her because he wants to see her delight when she realizes we actually paid attention to her desires and didn't try to mollify her with a Minnie Princess doll. (Well, technically, we did, but just to throw her off the trail. We're fools sneaky like that.)
Due to John's insistence of giving in to her *silent* demands (from a kid who has no freaking clue the object of her dreams is right under her nose), I have been forced to wrap it in birthday paper, if only to visually remind him of my refusal if he should dare try to reveal it while I'm not around. I will not give in to the Curse.
This playset better make her happy. Cuz it's driving us damn batty.
* Of course, my mom didn't really think those things. Or maybe she did. I know I would in her shoes..
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Check out these Tradition Spins!
Stacy over at Stacy's Random Thoughts
Rachel over at The Ramblings of Rachel
Wicked Step Mom over at Life and Times of a Wicked Step Mom -Updated today! Fresh Spin!
Krystal over at Sand Castle Full Of Monkeys -Updated today! Fresh Spin!
Mama Badger over at Out of the Boondocks and Into the Burbs... -Updated Saturday! Fresher Spin!
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Next week's Spin Assignment: Arts and Crafts
Are you proud of a room you decorated? Do you rock at scrapbooking? Is painting your forte or do you have a green thumb in gardening?
Are you artsy with your hands or with words? Can you make something out of nothing or break something down into nothing and build it back up into something better?
Maybe it's taking toys like Legos and turning them into action heroes.
Whatever! Spin it up and show it off!
Have your projects in by October 9th! And extra credit for visual aids!
Hah! I'm a super naughty with this one. I always "shop ahead" keeping in mind Christmas, birthdays, potty presents. And then half the time I'm so pleased with my purchase that I hand it over on my arrival home. Frustrating! And expensive!
Posted by: Rachel | October 02, 2009 at 05:14 AM
I drive my daughter NUTS because she, like you, hates to wait for presents and she will HOUND you if she knows you've got her something (or know a secret). I am NOT that way - I know it will come, so I don't ask about it. And I don't give out gifts early.
As for next week's Spin...girl, you have no idea what you've just done to me. Beloved is NEVER going to let me live it down.
But you have to wait until Wednesday. :P
Posted by: Jan | October 02, 2009 at 05:30 AM
I like to shop at least two days before Christmas. It's a tradition........
Posted by: vodkamom | October 02, 2009 at 06:01 AM
How funny. I have that same problem. Fortunately, it's only resulted in my handing over early presents to my husband a few times. I haven't given into temptation with the Beepman yet. Although, I won a pair of Elmo hands from a certain blogger, and I don't know whether they will be able to stay hidden in the back of a closet until birthdaytime in December. Talk about perfect toy to suit your kid's personality.
Posted by: Arwen | October 02, 2009 at 06:37 AM
http://lifeandtimesofawickedstepmom.com/2009/10/02/there-is-no-santa/
Posted by: WickedStepMom | October 02, 2009 at 06:39 AM
Bear always waits until the last minute to buy stuff so that he doesn't have to hide it.
Posted by: WickedStepMom | October 02, 2009 at 06:42 AM
I never consider giving gifts early a curse before. I considered it a personality quirk. Nice to know that this one thing does not make me crazy.
Hey, I posted about my garden today. Can we call it my next week spin post?
Posted by: Michele | October 02, 2009 at 06:59 AM
Yes, you can! (Sorry, Obama's line is still with me. I'll post it by 10, Michele!)
Posted by: Sprite's Keeper | October 02, 2009 at 07:18 AM
Now that my kids are older, they always want certain things as gifts. And I generally get them, but I always try and get something else, even if it's small. I Hate losing the element of surprise!
Posted by: Maureen@IslandRoar | October 02, 2009 at 08:54 AM
In my house, there are gifts all the time if not from us they are from grandma so those special gifts tend to wait and the kids are held off by the little ones in bewtween. But good luck keeping that tid bit away from John, I mean Sprite...here's my spin!
http://sandcastlefullofmonkeys.wordpress.com/2009/10/02/spin-cycle-keeping-with-tradition/
Posted by: Krystal | October 02, 2009 at 09:14 AM
Sometimes it takes everything I've got NOT to give the Princess Nagger a gift I've gotten for her - particularly if it's one she REALLY wants. She has a birthday in November, too - and I have some stuff stashed in the guest room waiting for the special day... I did, though, end up giving one to her when she had an especially bad/sad day to cheer her up. It worked, but now I have to replace it in time for her Birthday. Maybe it IS a curse! ;)
That castle is COOL! PN would love one, I better make sure she doesn't see the pic. ;) Sprite will realize you actually paid attention to her desires when she opens it ON HER BIRTHDAY because she's smart like that. ;)
Posted by: Stacy (the Random Cool Chick) | October 02, 2009 at 09:18 AM
I love doing this too but my problem is that I get gifts ahead of time AND for the actual celebration. Cause I can't stand not having something to give on the real day. Which means I tend to spend more than I should and give a few too many gifts. Not that anyone's complaining... :)
Posted by: Robin | October 02, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Is it Friday already? Really? Cause I was going to spin a tradition.... ah. well.
I hope you are able to keep the Castle under wraps until the big day ; -)
Posted by: Pseudo | October 02, 2009 at 11:10 AM
I want a castle like that! How fun would that be to play with! If Sprite ever needs a playmate - I'm only 2 states away. As for gifts, I am just the opposite. Has to be on the day - not earlier - or the day is a real letdown. Think I am a little on the crazy side about it.
Posted by: Julie W | October 02, 2009 at 11:52 AM
This made me laugh. My grandfather is famous for not being able to wait to give a gift. Dos
Posted by: Jack | October 02, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Ha! What an interesting "curse" to have. We don't have a problem with this, we can keep secret stashes from our kids indefinitely. I think Sprite is using secret toddler mind tricks on you guys. She's talented. ;)
Posted by: mrsbear | October 02, 2009 at 03:25 PM
my dad's 40th "surprise" birthday. He walks in the night before from work and I tell him, "don't tell anyone but tomorrow is your surprise birthday." my mother nearly killed me
Posted by: Jessica | October 02, 2009 at 04:16 PM
That is adorable. All of it, the curse, the castle. I'm the opposite, I love giving gifts (LOVE), but the anticipation is part of the fun for me.
Posted by: anymommy | October 02, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Better late then never, right? I'm in:
http://outoftheboondocks.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Mama Badger | October 03, 2009 at 06:32 AM
Yeah, the curse is alive and well at our house, too. We actually did well not giving LG the toy we bought him to mollify him about o. We waited, and it worked out. But other stuff? Argh. He's wearing his "christmas" back pack to school now. "Why wait if he can get use out of it?" PB rationalized...
The castle sound really cool, though. You'll have to post the "Surprised face" picture for us!
Posted by: Mama Badger | October 03, 2009 at 06:37 AM
Warren and I do this so much too. We're always pulling things out to give to Jonathan. Right now we've had a toy in the back of our car I picked up cheap somewhere. It's been there for about a month. Maybe longer. It has to last until Nov. 7th! Aaaaaagh! I'm not sure it'll make it!
Posted by: Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings | October 03, 2009 at 07:37 PM
I knew that's where you were headed when I first read about the curse. Well, first I thought you said there was a cruise in your family (sorry, it's late and I'm sick). Good to see you're keeping your ground on the Cindarella set.
Posted by: Casey | October 03, 2009 at 10:16 PM
I agree with Casey. Glad u are waiting until girlfriends b-day to give her the Castle. I am very tempted to click on link to see what this said Castle set looks like, but i will wait :) I just wonder if u can really hold out, or if I will be seeing the set a little bit earlier then her b-day, like the weekend I come over to visit, uummmmmm? LOL
Posted by: Susan | October 04, 2009 at 09:37 AM