The American Spectator

Pete Chagnon /p>

Like you, I also (somewhat of a scrooge) was not inclined to overbuy toys for my son, though I did have the desire to buy what I thought were interesting toys for him. Because of his lack of interest in many of them, it didn’t take too long to realize that I was buying them for myself rather than him (and wasting a bit of money). And compared to his friends and schoolmates, he certainly had fewer toys and gadgets than most, but he didn’t really care.

p>Now at age 20, as a college student, he does not have a great desire for acquiring or having “things” that he does not need. His request list for presents for a birthday or Christmas is usually pretty short and reasonable. I believe your premise is correct that parents are pleasing themselves rather than the children. br> — Marcy Chambers /p>

We live in an era of “stuff.” Some of it useful, much of it easily obtained, and unfretted if lost. But it’s useful stuff (someday) and it chagrins many to simply pitch the useful “stuff” because it’s taking up “space.” Space in this case being the square footage surrendered to all the “stuff.”

My wife and I do the occasional jihad against “fast-food” toys that accumulate in my kids’ rooms and the family rooms, under sofas and all that. The kids’ drawings are the most difficult of all items to edit out.

p>Much of our failure to throw out kid toys can be laid at the feet of PIXAR Corp. for the Movie “Toy Story” & “Toy Story 2.” Daring to suggest that these toys have real lives and consciences: ” — dammit! I’ll just put the dolly up here on the high shelf…just in case”. But just like the movie, kids do forget about certain toys. After that movie, I am now trying to find “homes” for used toys. I am screwed up…thanks to PIXAR! br> — P. Aaron Jones br> Huntington Woods, Michigan /p> p> Actually, you