How do you know when you've bought enough?

[Fishandthechips]

Ds will only be 23 months at Christmas so won't really understand the build up but I'm sure will be pretty excited on the day itself. I have no idea when to stop buying for him though. My mum used to do a massive pile of presents for me and my sister when we were young and I think that's clouding my judgement but I know that at his age he will just be happy with a new train. Basically I keep saying enoughs enough but then see some amazing bargain and buy it even though I know it's not necessary. So, how do you walk past the bargains? And how do you know when enoughs enough? I haven't bought a single thing for anyone else and with two paydays left I need to get a move on.

[StealthPolarBear]

Whens his birthday? Could you save stuff?
Remember loads will be cheaper in January too!

[Fishandthechips]

His birthday is actually at the end of January. I didn't even consider the idea of putting stuff aside till then. That's a good idea though and I will go through it and put some away. I just need to stop looking at reductions and buying more now and avoid black Friday all together.

[Mehfruittea]

I have the same problem! My DS is 6 and has birthday near xmas. I need someone to talk me down! I don’t even know how much I’ve got, it’s all hidden away in cupboards, wardrobes and a suitcase. I bought 2 things this morning online as I saw them here on xmas bargains thread. Oh no! I have a problem...

[Curiousgeorgey]

I stop when I count how much I have spent and think its enough. I don't really stop at a set amount of things.

I have a 15 month and have spent £90 on her and she has a total of 8 gifts which I think is enough.

My 5 yo will turn 6 in 3 weeks then 4 weeks later it'll be christmas. Ive just bought for him and will split it into christmas and birthday shortly but his spend is £700 for birthday and christmas although his main present for christmas was over £200 and I know he'll be over the moon and he doesn't get toys throughout the year. can you tell im trying to convince myself its not a ridiculous amount

But no matter how good a bargain something else now I wont spend another penny on him so I feel good knowing I'm done.

[user1469751309]

I'm also rubbish at this both of my DC's have birthdays very close to Christmas one before and one after. I have got so much it's ridiculous when they are asleep this evening I'm going to get it all out assess the damage and split it in half I think! But guaranteed before Christmas day I will have twitched and bought another present or two!

[Fishandthechips]

I'm really glad I'm not the only one who struggles with this! Its so simple really, do not click add to basket but even all my adds on the bottom of the screen are for toys and testing my willpower! I have been keeping it all at my mum's and have been buying since June whenever there was a bargain. The shock of seeing the the stash yesterday! I had forgotten about a lot of it! I think I'm going to have to go through it all and separate Christmas/birthday. AND not buy anything else.

[CocoPuffsinGodMode]

I think at that age you have to remind yourself that he’s changing quite quickly and so toys bought now may not hold his interest for a full year. They won’t seem like such bargains if in six months time you realise half of them have barely been looked at!

We also always had a decent pile at Christmas but bear in mind that at 23 months he has little understanding of what’s going on and at that age they can get really overwhelmed by lots of gifts. You might end up feeling a bit disappointed if he doesn’t react well.

[TotemIcePole]

I spent £10 on DD for her 1st & 2nd Xmas. I think I got her a dolls crib thing when she was 2, I cant remember what was for her 1st.

Now shes a bit older & knows what she likes, I spend a bit more as I didnt when she was tiny.

[hashtagelfie]

I stop when the bank account is empty and their Santa sacks and stockings are full.
At 23 months it will be you Opening the presents mainly, your ds will then want to play with the present that’s been unwrapped and will have no interest in opening the others. You will have to constantly try and encourage him to open the rest but the same cycle happens - one is opened and he wants to play with it. No interest in the rest. If you buy any more then 5 you will open them up yourself later, he will have no interest what so ever.
Btw I have 4 dc, one of whom will be 2 on Boxing Day so am talking from experience.

So the question you really need to ask is how many presents can you actively encourage ds to open without you wanting to open the nearest bottle of plonk/loose the will to live. 3 is enough

[RussellHobb]

I would have a proper look at what you have already bought, so you know what you have. If you feel you have too much then you can split some up for the birthday.
My children are much older now and I wish I'd stuck with a couple of presents and put more money in their savings. I don't know if you have much family but quite often they buy lots too.

[Lovemusic33]

I usually go over the top and then put things back for birthdays. When they were little I used to buy way too much, looking back now it seems crazy as most of it wasn't played with or got broken. I now buy less but because they are older it costs a lot more with a lot less to show for my money.

[Fffion]

If you have to ask, you have bought too much.

[ArcheryAnnie]

He's not yet two, and there comes a point at which he will just be overwhelmed by the amount of stuff, and it won't get played with. (And you will be overwhelmed, too, my the amount of stuff you will build up in your house if you are buying at this rate.)

And truly, unless your baby's name is Dudley and your last name is Dursley, he really doesn't need piles and piles of presents. (I've seen some people here talking about 30 presents just for one child, and frankly I think that's a bit obscene.)

[grobagsforever]

More than one present for a two year old is too much! Return some and donate a Christmas meal place to Crisis in his name. That will be a truly appreciated gift, your two year old will be happy with a box to unwrap!!!

Madness.

[Ecclesiastes]

You've already bought enough.

Consumerism kills.

[wendz86]

I just remind myself of the struggle every year to find a home for everything . Also add things to a list for when family ask what to get them .

[FireflyGirl]

DS was 21 months last year. He had about 10 presents from us and was still opening them at New Year. We had to open them with him, and then he just wanted to play with or read whatever we'd opened.

He has played with all of them, so they weren't a waste of money.

I think the best way is to decide your limit, either number of presents or budget, and stick to it. I take advantage of the bargain thread by writing a list but keeping it general, eg books, a playset, something Peppa Pig themed. Once I'm done, I disappear off the bargain thread until next year.

[PodgeBod]

My daughter was 22 months last year. I have a habit of squirrelling away presents and I bought far too much. She opened her stocking on my bed and she was happy, she thought that was it. Then she came downstairs and saw the toy kitchen and that was definitely enough without me trying to encourage her to open a pile of presents she had little interest in. She got a lot from family as well, i ended up opening them by the new year at least I don’t have to buy much for DD2.
So yes, less is definitely more and any presents at all is magical to them at this age.

[gingerhousecat]

I have an almost 3 year old and a 5 year old. We've just bought a few things this year. Last year, out of everything, one of the favourite presents was a torch...!!