When I was eight years old, the Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle was the hot Christmas toy for boys. The pleasure I felt unwrapping the gift from my parents was matched only by the excitement I felt when I discovered my parents had also given me the Evel Knievel Scramble Van.

But the pleasure and excitement didn’t last.

We replaced novelty with items that would have lasting value, or help teach useful skills.

Christmas shopping for kids creates a dilemma for many parents. In spite of a desire to do better, we succumb to the pressure to spend money we don’t have to buy things our kids don’t need. The hope is that our kids will have smiles on Christmas morning. My parents fell into that trap. I’ve done it with my own kids.

Relentless marketing and talk among peers triggers desires for things kids didn’t know they wanted. Over time, those wants transform into needs. When kids sense those needs are at risk of not being met, they resort to persuasive means that rival those of high-performing sales representatives.

I used those persuasive techniques on my parents. My kids have used them on me. But this year — I’m trying something different…. read more here