The Deal Mommy

One of the tenets of my manifesto is 9 times out of 10, experiences are worth more than possessions. That’s a hard enough concept for grown-ups to get, especially around the holidays. I admit a certain weakness for “little luxuries” and pretty much abandon all hope of restraint at the sight of Missoni at an outlet mall.

With that I’m mind I don’t expect much from the Deal Kids in regards to self-control when it comes to gifts and Santa. (Yes, even at 10 Deal Kid is still mostly all-in. I’m proud of that, too.). I just ask that they don’t ask for stuff nicer than we have and DID draw the line at the treehouse idea, explaining that a treehouse was a construction project, not a toy.

This year Deal Girl, whose 7th birthday is also in December, blew me away. When I asked her what she was going to request from Santa, she turned pensive. I figured the wheels in her head were narrowing down the options, but I had it absolutely wrong. She replied, “Mom, I’m just going to ask for a surprise. I have too many toys already, and the best gifts are the times you and me spend together, like at the Hyatt.” (Note to Hyatt: Deal Girl calls ANY luxury hotel a “Hyatt”. Well done!).

I gathered myself, pressed a bit further (in the guise of “playing a game”) and discovered what she REALLY wanted was time with just “us girls”. So, for her Christmas gift, on points or their new points plus cash option, I’m taking her to New York for the weekend. To a Hyatt (probably Times Square or the Hyatt Place near Macy’s on 34th, although she’s rather fond of the 48 Lex’s lounge).

And Santa? He can bring her a camera so she’ll always remember our girl’s weekend.