What is a nice way to say "TONE IT DOWN?"

VivaAmore

I'm estimating that Mia will get about 7 easter baskets this year from family. We're constantly overloaded with candy that I end up throwing most of it away. She was recently introduced to PEZ and already has received about 10 dispensers and a wonka-land load of pez refills. If I let her eat nothing but candy for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I'm estimating that we'd still be buried in it.

I know everyone is just so excited to buy stuff for her but it's so excessive. I have asked them nicely to stop but they don't listen. What should my next line of attack be? A stern warning? A broadcast message?

I hate being mean when I know they enjoy being generous, and I'd absolutely rather they fuss over her than ignore her, but I hate seeing everything go to waste. I also have guilt about throwing/giving away things she's received as "gifts". WWYD?

*sparky*

Your new siggy pic is so sweet - she is such a beatiful girl.

Anyway, I would ask that people put anything but candy in her basket.  DS is a candy fiend and it is hard for me to have any in the house without dealing with constant meltdowns over him not being able to have another piece of candy.

If you do get candy in the baskets, weed through it and take the extra to work to give to C/W's. 

ccm1203

I would say that the Easter baskets are greatly appreciated but the candy is way too much for such a young child.  Ask if maybe they could put small/inexpensive games or crayons, sidewalk chalk etc. in the basket instead, she will get to enjoy those things for much longer than candy anyway.

joseysbride

We have the same problem! I just deal with it, and take all the extras to work for my coworkers to eat.  I don't know of any other way to handle it!

amiamish

ccm1203:

I would say that the Easter baskets are greatly appreciated but the candy is way too much for such a young child.  Ask if maybe they could put small/inexpensive games or crayons, sidewalk chalk etc. in the basket instead, she will get to enjoy those things for much longer than candy anyway.

ditto this!

LanaM

It's really pointless to try and limit some of my family members... ? so I let them have the pleasure of giving and I just end up limiting how much Ethan can eat... ? ?lately people think it's ok to bring sweets for Ethan... don't know why really....

He normally does not care and does not protest... and my co-workers get to enjoy some of that candy as well... ??

joseysbride

ccm1203:

I would say that the Easter baskets are greatly appreciated but the candy is way too much for such a young child.  Ask if maybe they could put small/inexpensive games or crayons, sidewalk chalk etc. in the basket instead, she will get to enjoy those things for much longer than candy anyway.

I feel like I'd rather have the candy that I can give away than a bunch of small toys that we also have way too much of.  The small toys would definitely have to be thrown out, and I would feel really guilty about that.

gingerthebee

Maybe a new tradition?  My family does an egg hunt with the kids until they graduate from HS.  The eggs have money in them, not candy.  Lots of motivation to find them all!  Each kid is assigned a color, and we know how many eggs there are.  Each kid gets a basket, but there's not so much candy.

jpowell3

My answer is very similar to everyone else's. Explain that she doesn't need candy & that she would love some craft projects instead. Every year for my son his basket is full of coloring books, bubbles, 1 craft project and then we will hide about 6 Easter eggs that have candy.

ps) I lOVE her dress!

VivaAmore

Thanks guys. I'll give it one more try. I know an email is impersonal but maybe I'll try that route this time. Maybe their eyes are better than they're ears!

And thanks for the compliments. Funny side note, her "dress" is really a shirt for a young girl but the print was too cute and the dress was too cheap to pass up!

TxGal

We dont' give Annabelle candy at all and most of our friends/family know that. You could tell them that your pedi or dentist recommended that she not eat too much candy and gently request it to be nonfood items.

 Annabelle got a small bag of candy from school on V-day. DH and I ate it- very bad

dnagal

ditto "anything but candy"

ideas:

books, play-doh, tub toys, crayons and coloring books, STICKERS!, fun socks!, outside/play in the sand toys, fun plates/forks/cups with her favorite characters.

 You could start an email with:
I would hate to be presumptuous, but If you were considering getting our favorite bunny an easter basket, we'd love it if you could skip the candy and choose a non-candy basket that she'll enjoy even more!  We can't wait to celebrate this Easter with you!