Now that the elections are over. My mailbox got a quick vacation from the many faces of politicians wanting our vote. Although that vacation was both quick and sweet, the black box stuck next to our front door brimmed with all kinds of brochures, magazines and flyers yesterday. Inside were announcement of midnight toy sales, installment plans for high end gifts, credit application to Sears, ToysRus and other places where toys amassed on shelves.

My son, the constant source of wikipedialite questions asked me: “Mom can I look i your book?” referring to the catalog of toys of course. I said “Yeah why not?” Nothing wrong with looking I thought. While he leafed through that amazing book, I could see his eyes grew bigger and bigger by the minute. When he could not contain it, he finally blurted, “Mom, I want that.” Pointing to a $100.00’s worth of toys. Then he thumbed through a couple more pages when he said, “Mom, I want this.”

You know what’s next don’t you?

I voluntarily gave myself a new tail. When I went upstairs to fix the bed, he was there thumbing through the catalog and wanting somewthing else. When I scrubbed the toilets, he was behind me, asking me what this particular contraption in his ‘book’ was supposed to do, where did it come from, who made it, how it can be possible that I would remember what he wanted. So he gently reminded me to tuck this catalog in my purse after he was done with it so I would not forget. Like I would buy him an expensive toy when I am running to the store with a couple dollars and milk on my list.

Finally, I said he had to wait for Christmas to get the toy he wanted. If he circled all the toys that he wanted I would have a clear idea in what field of interest in toys I can look for. I did listen to him though, I wanted what’s best for everybody, meaning, worth his time–I have learned that sometimes kids would want something but will quickly lose interest, hence boxes of toys barely used–and affordable from our pockets. I listened to him enough to go online and find out what toys are there in the market that has the highest rating and best selling.

What do you know?

I did find a toy that is highly recommended by a toy museum, in fact they have included it in the toy Hall of Fame for 2008. It’s the humble stick. Read my husband’s take on the stick at http://www.muddyknife.com, isn’t it amazing though that the best things in life are simple and free? Reading about the stick made me look inward at the real meaning of joy. I mean, what are some stuff that really made you happy when you were growing up? This Christmas, I resolve to look for meaningful gifts to my family. Even if it means I should go to the jungle and get myself a stick. Do you think my kids would like that though?