Please reassure me that a big present isn't necessary!

[ArriettyMatilda]

Dd will be three just after Christmas and two years ago I bought her a dolls house to give her this year on her birthday. I'm just worrying that there won't be a wow or big present on Christmas day from us or Father Christmas. I know she won't expect it and she's already got lots of big toys (things like a balance bike, cozy coupe car, kitchen, dolls pram, also plenty of small world play like duplo, playmobil and a train set). She really doesn't need anything as she doesn't have time to play with everything she already has! So I've bought a small Duplo set, a fancy dress outfit and things for her stocking like a torch, socks, hair clips.

Please tell me that is plenty and I can get away with spending less this year because she's too young to ask for anything. She will get presents from friends and family too, so I'll need to think of some ideas for them!

[PinkFluffiUnicorn]

I think that's a lovely Christmas for your 3 year old, they are too small to really ask for a specific toy and they will love just opening anything.

[princessconsuelabannahammock]

my almost 3 yr old is getting a massive box filled with balloons - he loves balloons and unwrapping stuff. Also loads of bottles of bubbles.

Sounds perfect. They are so young they get overwhelmed with stuff - save the big pricey presents for when they are old enough to ask for them!

[ArriettyMatilda]

In previous years she has got serious present fatigue.. I'm just worried this year she'll love opening presents and there won't be enough! But I have to remember that family will be getting her things and that it all has to live in our tiny flat and that Christmas is not all about the presents. I'm hoping it will mean we actually have time to play with some of it on the day.

[ArriettyMatilda]

You are both so right, thank you

[LeMesmer]

At three they really do just like opening things, but it is better they like the things inside! What you have planned sounds lovely, at that as age there is no concept of a big present or any expectations of a certain number of presents - in fact it is better to keep it small, a few presents she will really like and you can join in playing with. Lots of presents usually means there are so many they don't really end up playing with any

[KC225]

That sounds plenty. Lovely thoughtful gifts a three year old will love.

Love the idea of a box of balloons though

[Howmanysleepstilchristmas]

My 3rd youngest (march birthday) was just at the age to be looking forward to and starting to understand Christmas for the first time when he was a couple of months short of his 3rd birthday. A couple of days before his ds8 found a small faded plastic toy sheep toy from when he was little, and brought it downstairs one night to ask his brother if he wanted it. Ds found it on waking... cue lots of jumping up and down and,"he's been! He's been!". So, no, IME you definitely don't need a wow present to get the wow factor at that age. He was even more excited on Christmas morning btw...

[Howmanysleepstilchristmas]

The things I do give every year though (eldest is 11) are a new board game, small craft and a book. It's kind of part of our tradition now so crafts are made while I clear up after dinner, board games played before bed, and everyone has a new book to read before/ in bed that night

[mumonashoestring]

DS wanted to play with everything he opened last year when he was 3. I don't think he finished opening things til about 6pm and it's not like he had mountains of stuff

[goose1964]

MyDD is now an adult and a few days ago we were discussing her Christmas memories and ,apart from her enormous white tiger which she had wyen she was about 10, she couldn't remember a single present but she remembered our family get together. So no she doesn't need sbig ptrsent

[ArriettyMatilda]

goose1964 I don't particularly remember many either but I do remember the excitement of going to bed with no presents under the tree and waking up to a mountain! This was from our parents and extended family, whereas we tend to wait until we see the extended family for them to give gifts. We also used a pillow case and a stocking for Father Christmas to fill, whereas dd is just having a stocking. I will maybe get one more present for dd from Father Christmas as I had planned to do the stocking and one larger present from him each year and then the the other couple of presents will be from me and dp. But I won't go looking for something, I'll wait to see if dd mentions wanting anything or if I see anything I think she'd love at a reasonable price. I'm thinking perhaps a dress to wear on the day as I've got plenty of casual clothes in the next age up but no dresses! And she does love them.