Tonight we exchanged Christmas presents with my husband’s family. Each year, they shower us with a bounty full of gifts we don’t deserve. Clothes, toys, boots, and baubles, all done up in beautiful packaging with elegant bows. And yet, my almost-10-year-old daughter bounced out of her seat and screamed like the girl she is when she discovered a $20 Target gift card inside the present from Aunt Leslie. Literally shaking with excitement, Ally exclaimed to all, “I’ve been NEEDING some things at Target!” So cute. So honest. So excited. (So already bugging me to take her shopping tomorrow.)

Kids love gift cards for the same reason the rest of us do–they get to shop for whatever it is their little hearts desire. And since we don’t live lavishly, Ally’s heart desires many things. But there is absolutely no way I’m taking her to Target on Christmas Eve.  Though redeeming gift cards with kids can be a fun excursion and a terrific learning experience, the process also requires a little extra time and an extra measure of patience–two things I’m a little short on right now.  We’ll go after Christmas when we have a chance to think logically and shop leisurely.

I’ll let you know how it goes.