When my kids were little I was sometimes sucked in by the advertising. I wish I would have distinguished better between wants and needs. There are needy people around us and perhaps in our family (it could be the need for company as much or more than a material need). However, we also have to be realistic about what we can afford while keeping in mind that true, thoughtful charity may come back to us in some way. It is a balancing act. Yes, we need to examine whose need we are really fulfilling. Our mind can play tricks on us sometimes.