To keep some of the kids stocking fillers back for next year?

[IHaveAToiletBrush]

Started wrapped the stockings today and didn't realise how much I had bought for them. I added up the total cost and divided it 3 ways as have 3 kids and it comes to £87.66 each stocking plus a gift bag with around £15 worth of sweets, chocolate and a couple of cans of fizzy drink in each. AIBU to keep some stuff back for next year or return it as to not increase their expectations for the stocking?

[FeelingSmurfy]

Return if you can, otherwise you will forget about the stuff you hold back and have this same problem next year, plus they may not like whatever it is in a years time

[redexpat]

Bloody hell how big are their stockings?!

[KayTee87]

Could you use some of it for Christmas gifts for your local foodbank? I hate being one of 'those' people but you've already bought it now.

[StarlingMurderation]

Jeez, how much have you bought for their big presents?!

Sorry, that sounded really judgey. DS has only just turned 2 and I haven't done him a stocking this year because a lot of the little toys and gifts you can buy for stockings are for 3+, and he won't know he's missing out. I'm looking forward to doing it next year but I can see how the cost could really add up, especially if you have one of thos emassive stockings.

[MrsJayy]

You will forget next year and buy more this is the very reason I Christmas shop in a few trips I used to buy tatt and they would have too much crap . They might not like the stuff next year and will sweets keep I'd either give it to then and don't do as much next year or donate it like a pp suggested

[AndNowItsSeven]

Aren't stockings just hair bobbles matchbox cars , lip balm etc and chocolate. What is in yours?

[IHaveAToiletBrush]

No be as judgey as you like it is bloody ridiculous amount of stuff. We were skint for ages so they didn't really have much last xmas or this years birthday so think I got everything to help with my guilt. What we use as a stocking is a xmas sack with their name embroiled about the size of a black sack.
As somebody asked dd age 4 (but will be 5 before xmas) stocking contains:
Flying fairy unicorn
Melissa and doug cuddley unicorn
Unicorn headband
Unicorn slippers
Unicorn pj's
Unicorn note book
Build your own fairy garden
Unicorn book boxset
Grow your own unicorn
JVC kids headphones
Crayola twistable pencils
Crayola felt pens
Paw patrol colouring book
Apple white doll
Some crap from wilkos stationery section
Plush Unicorn pencil case

The others are vey similar but follow a different theme. I guess I could donate some stuff to the food bank not sure if they except these items so will phone and check.

[IHaveAToiletBrush]

The sweets I will half and give half to the food bank. I have no excuse I bought everything since mid October when our situation improved and we had spare caah for the first time in over a year.

[MrsJayy]

I think I would just give them out or maybe keep then back and give them as little treats throughout the year just a hunch but does your Dd like unicorns

[MrsJayy]

I think giving the sweet s is a better idea to food bank or maybe salvation army and just give them the presents and don't worry about it

[IHaveAToiletBrush]

Lol, yes dd loves unicorns!! She is getting the Furreal Star Lily Unicorn for her birthday this month and I am so excited to see her little face.

[TakeItFromMe]

My advice is don't keep it for next year whatever you do. As someone who has done that, I have had a wardrobe in my youngest daughter's bedroom taken up with stuff all year, and every time I opened it it all started falling out. Then older daughter discovered there were toys in there that she hadn't seen before - questions were asked....
I can't wait to actually give her them this year just to get them out of the blooming wardrobe.

[MrsJayy]

You could keep some of the unicorn things and put it in for her birthday or give then to siblings to wrap as a birthday present

[MrsJayy]

I used to over buy got carried away it was ridiculous the stuff I bought I did give some of it to dd2 1 year as she has a February birthday

[IHaveAToiletBrush]

Rang food bank and they only want the sweets so will take the dc with me Saturday to donate them. After halving all dc sweet bags there is nearly a full bag to donate, I'm hoping that will put a smile on somebodies face. Still torn with the presrnts part of me thinks fuck it let them have them to make up for the missing out last year. Really don't no what to do for the best.

[IHaveAToiletBrush]

Dh is no help said whatever I think is best, bloody men.

[atticusclaw2]

Do they have presents from you too? Or is that their lot? If that's it then I think its fine.

[MrsJayy]

Just give them it tbh it's not a tonne of stuff is it

[DramaInPyjamas]

Slippers, onesies and books are main presents in my house and stockings are shower gels, pants, bobbles, chocolate coins, pens and poundshop stuff.
I feel really stingy and mean now

I did however get my daughter this unicorn mug

[glenthebattleostrich]

Just give them the presents, I would

[FeckinCrutches]

If that's in their stockings what are their main presents??
All of those presents in my house would be classed as 'main' presents
Stuff going into a normal size stocking it chocolate/fruit/nuts/bubble bath/socks etc.

[MrsSnootch]

Give it to them.

[KayTee87]

My church takes presents to give to children that won't get anything, your local one will most likely do something similar

[IHaveAToiletBrush]

Dd would love the mug but am not buying anymore! Yes that is just stocking presents they all have a generous pile of main presents from us that will piled up for the Christmas morning.

[BertieBotts]

Most of those would be main presents for me! The only things from your list I'd class as stocking fillers would be the stationery (but with that amount, could be combined into a normal present), notebook if it's a mini one, grow your own unicorn if it's a novelty thing, headband.

Everything else I'd stick under the tree. Maybe return a few bits if too much.