No BIG present for my kids - feels wrong!

[giraffesarefab]

Tell me that I'm an idiot! Ds1 (10) got an Xbox 360 2 years ago (it was 2nd hand) then I won an ipad mini in a competition so that was his 'big' present last year, he got a bike for his birthday and he bought a wii u with his birthday money (again, 2nd hand) so he doesn't need anything big.
He is putting a list together of wii u games, some minecraft bits, a remote controlled car, books and a few other bits.

Ds2 is 5 and has autism, hes just had his birthday and has lots of stuff from Ds1. He's getting a leapfrog learning system, cars, dinosaurs, an air hockey game and others bits but again, nothing 'big' - please tell me that it doesn't matter and I'm an loon!

I know they will get stuff they want or have asked for but there's no "wow" present

I need a grip

[Artandco]

That sound alike a lot of stuff and includes main items to me ie a remote control car would be the main gift here with just a stocking alongside. One gift here and stocking

[I8toys]

Same here this year. They have ipads, an xbox, ps3, wii U and Xbox 360. We usually combine funds with grandparents and buy a console but they have everything. I think we will get them an experience again- eldest got top gear driving and youngest was a zookeeper at Chessington for last year's present.

[cheapandcheerful]

My dd will be getting a stocking and her present from us will probably be ballet shoes

[OvO]

Similar here - the 11 year old is getting a big present but it's joint with his birthday (which is in November) and he's getting it on his birthday rather than Christmas. So he'll have only a few token presents to open.

The 8 year old hasn't asked for anything 'big' and I can't think of anything.

Feels a bit odd but I don't think they'll even notice.

[WatchMeSoar]

I don't buy big presents at Christmas, I have a big family and things like Xbox or PlayStation are bought for birthdays.
They do well enough.

[HungryHorace]

We do big gifts for birthdays and Christmas is a collection of smaller bits, totalling about £60 each (they're 2 and 3 this year).

[DiegeticMuch]

It's fine. That's generous.

I have very happy memories of childhood Christmases and the only "big" presents were a bike when I was 8 and a computer when I was 13. I liked board games and music albums best, and toiletries/annuals when I was 12+. Didn't like getting clothes!

[anyoldname76]

same here really, theyve already got an xbox 360, both got bikes and scooters. last year they had tablets, this year i am thinking of getting the anki race track as a joint present as well as their own presents

[Fueledwithfairydustandgin]

I can't think of a big wow present for our DS nearly 3. I'm going to buy him to playmobil rocket which is £40 but will look exciting all set up. Just last year he got a train table and set, giant teddy and fire engine desk and chair along with usual presents. It's silly to buy for the sake of it though.

[hoolahoola]

I never had 'big' presents at Christmas growing up (only birthdays) and neither do my DC. I remember going into school when everyone was getting games consoles (gameboys, wii, etc) and suchlike and saying "my favourite gift was a teapot, oh or my umbrella". Everyone thought I was mad but I never felt left out.

Don't worry about it!

[ThanksForAllTheFish]

Your ideas sound fine to me. DD is nearly 7 and she knows some years she will get a big gift (such as an iPad mini) from Santa but other years she will get a smaller gift. She was taking about asking for a laptop (no chance!) but knows that Santa wouldn't bring her a big expensive gadget this year as she got one last year. In her own words 'it's someone else's turn' this year to get a big gadgety gift from Santa.

She might get a hatchimal this year as the only toy she's really asking Santa for costs less than £10. She's been interested in the hatchimal but doesn't think she would get one as in her eyes it's a big expensive gift.

Your son is 10 so I suspect he will have a good understanding that a few Wii U games, remote control car, minecraft stuff etc all add up to the same as one bigger gift.

[Blueisthemagicnumber]

I do the same thing, and actually buy stuff for the sake of it crappy stocking fillers but my 2 ds 13 and 10 actually need nothing. They would love an IPad each, but they are not getting one! This year they are getting a shared second hand XBox One, and will get games to go with it.

[KingLooieCatz]

We can all probably think of the times children hardly touched the big ticket items and had fond memories of the pound shop stocking fillers. I do search for perfect gifts and DH finds "Pinchy" the decorative lobster in a bargain bin. It is "Pinchy" that DS wants to cuddle when he goes to bed. "Pinchy" was a huge hit. The year before DS was very proud to tell the other Beavers, who all seemed to get consoles and phones, that he had got a big pack of colouring pens for Christmas. Those pens are in daily use to this day. Unless they are ask desperate for something that you're confident will get used a lot, I think it's the little things that make Christmas special.

[MiscellaneousAssortment]

Gosh I find it hard to keep the presents down at Christmas.

It's like some kind of arms race!

I think it's because I lack confidence that DS will like my presents and feel it's special enough, so I keep on buying... Which I know isn't a good idea, and I know DS has more fun when there are less presents.

Argh!