Dear Santas,

This year, please don't buy Jake any toys. He has more than enough already. He doesn't need clothes. He is outgrowing his 5T's but I have some XS and S's waiting in the bureau for him. He has two pairs of shoes that fit him now and his feet aren't growing so fast anymore.

Everyone is going broke, so I will advise you to put the money you would spend on Jake in your own savings account. Don't have one? Start one. If you feel the need to give, donate to your favorite charity. They are going broke too. They can use your dollars, and they can most likely use your time if you have some to spare.

If you want to do something specifically for Jake, spend some time with him. Take an afternoon and hang out on the couch watching movies and reading books and go ahead and play with his cars and eat pb&j's and apples on a blanket on the floor. Do a puzzle together. He will appreciate this so much more than he will appreciate a toy. He wants your time more than he wants anything else.

Be a superhero.

It can cost next to nothing, which is a whole hell of a bunch cheaper than what we usually do this time of year.