Mum bans family and friends from buying toys for her children this Christmas
A mum has banned her family and friends from buying toys for her kids this Christmas.
Former professional organiser Alexandra LaPointe, 28, from Indiana, explained how she hates clutter and has been working hard to organise her home.
Instead of toys, she has been enforcing the idea of activities or money for gifts, explaining the idea has allowed her family to make new memories and spend quality time together.
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"It all started because of clutter and over stimulation," says Alexandra.
"Since I became a stay at home mom and am in the house more instead of out working, I just think that everything overwhelms me more, and also with two little kids.
"I just have been decluttering everything throughout the house and trying to simplify the home.
"I for sure think that less is more when it comes to kiddos, for adults too, but for them I think it helps them to have less toys out. And then I also like having experiences and making memories with them.
"I love it. I think mostly because they're also pandemic babies. We were stuck in the house for so long and if we get a chance to go and do an activity together, it's so fun living through their eyes, they love it and get so excited."
She added: "My daughter was born three months early and we were in the hospital for a long time so now I'm just kind of in this era of life is so short, let's go and make memories and go and do things if we can, as long as it's safe.
"And if they do end up gifting them money, then we are investing that and by the time they go to college or university they'll have money for that, or if they don't want to go that route can use the money for a house later or to travel the world."
Alexandra - who shares tips on her TikTok @lexgetsyouorganized - is keen to urge other parents not to be afraid to ask for what they want and genuinely need, as long as they're polite.
"I just put a note [on invitation] and said 'she has more than she needs. If you really want to give her something we'd prefer toddler activity gift cards or a contribution towards our savings account'," she adds.
"And then everybody just bought cards with money and then we invested that for her. Everyone just took it so well and at the end of the party I was thinking, 'oh gosh, this is so nice, I don't have a million toys to clean up and put away now'.
"That went well for her birthday and so I tried it for another in September and it was great as well, so thought I'd try it for Christmas because last year we didn't have that rule and ended up with like 30-40 toys."
Gifts they've received include a zoo membership, indoor playground classes, and trips to water parks and museums.
Lucy Devine