How many gifts ?

[BurritoSquad]

Usually the kids get 2/3 big presents each then about 20 little presents plus a stocking . New pjs and slippers on the 24th .
Last year was chaos , the house was overrun with junk and though they are grateful for anything they get I think they found it overwhelming . I have a new baby who will be 9 months old in December and we can't afford to buy as much as previous years .
How many gifts do you buy your children and can I have some stocking ideas for children ranging from 8 years to 9 months please ?

[BurritoSquad]

Forgot to say I have 4 children

[ThePencil]

1 main gift from us, 1 main gift from Santa, and then a stocking with bits and bobs - new socks, books, favourite cereal, chocolate coins etc.

[PalePinkSwan]

Something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read.

So 4 presents for each child.

Eg for a 7 year old (nephew who visited):

• a toy light sabre
  
• a new backpack for school (needed, old one was falling apart)
  
• new pyjamas
  
• book about mine craft
  

Stockings were chocolate coins, satsuma, pack of cards, a Lego minifigure.

[Stompythedinosaur]

I aim for 10 presents each, but normally go a few over, maybe 12-14. We have 2 big presents (one from parents, one from father christmas) and the rest smaller. Some of these will be joint presents.

The stocking will have about 10 more tiny things.

[Neolara]

Blimey - 20 presents and 4 kids. Where do you put all the stuff?

We give on big present to each child, and a stocking with about 8 much smaller presents (eg book).

[Hellywelly10]

3 or 4. £50 ish on the big one.

[Alanamackree]

Mine get a big present from Santa and too many smaller presents, and a small present from us. I try to cut down on the junk by giving a fair few practical gifts but I think it would be wiser to cut back on the number of presents overall.

Rather than giving just toys, I do think it’s possible to give some practical and useful presents without killing the spirit of Christmas. Last year mine got minecraft t-shirts (which I would have bought anyway but held onto til Christmas) and Smiggle pencil cases (so a slightly nicer version of something they needed for school). In other years I’ve included art materials, and fresh tubs of play doh. I also print tickets (either genuine or symbolic) for activities that we would do anyway - trip to the cinema, zoo, ice skating, etc. By giving stuff that I would have paid for anyway, it eases the cost but also reduces the clutter.

I don’t consider books as clutter because they double as insulation and it’s worth keeping an eye on the bookpeople for deals. They do offers all the time so I hold out for 20% off.

I hate stocking fillers which is just tat for the sake of it so I like to bulk out the stockings.
Last year they got a rolled up comic (I don’t buy them often and make them earn them with chores when I do ) so these were very welcome. I know someone who gives a tube of pringles but mine wouldn’t like those. And I’ve heard of people giving mini boxes of cereal. They get chocolate coins and a satsuma and the aforementioned T-shirt’s wrapped up tight and a couple of small bits. I’ve heard of people giving new underwear, socks or toothbrushes but I think mine would find that strange so I suppose it’s about figuring out what would work for your dc.

I think new pjs are essential as it’s the one time they get photographed in them. I don’t buy chrissmassy ones though because they wear them until the trousers are up at their knees

[Dinosauratemydaffodils]

We are cutting down this year, last year was ridiculous. Pretty sure he still hasn't played with half of them.

This year ds (almost 4 by Christmas) will be getting 1 big present, 1 stocking full of non tat, maybe some more Holztiger figures, a couple of t-shirts etc, 1 bag of books (can't have too many books) and a board game.

Dd who will be six months at Christmas will be getting an outfit or two, some books and a small stocking.

[BiddyPop]

In our house, stocking has something from each of the 4 categories of the poem and some categories more than 1 item. (Next bit not in order sorry).

Something to read - 1 fiction book that they would enjoy, maybe a factual book for older DCs as well that they’d be interested in.
Something to eat - fruit (a crunchy apple, mandarin, kiwi fruit and a green banana) and some sweets for each person. (Having our “own” selection of fruit is a big treat going back to our own childhood when it included both a red and a green apple).
Something you need - nice socks, hair bobbins, nice knickers/underwear etc - maybe character or colored ones if mum and dad normally buy plain, etc or twist able crayons rather than regular ones if a school pencil case might need replenishing, water bottle with a favorite character...
Something you’d like - this could include crafty bits, small toys, collectibles (Match Attax cards, Lego figures..), mini slinky, “grow your own crystals” kit for older dcs, pocket money toys if they don’t normally get those (little spinning tops, stretchy men, dinky cars...)

Baby could have bibs, soothers, a board book, rattle, and a carton of emergency formuLa for out and about (even if you be, it may well be handy to have 1 ) or something long-life for when they start to eat (dried baby rice might fill up space?).

Sometimes, for older dcs (from toddler age), a reading thing that takes up space such as their favorite magazine, especially if it has something to do on the cover (mini toy or craft kit etc) can be useful to occupy them for a while.

Each DC gets part of something to play together? So a different colored ball each or each gets 1 beanbag/ball from a juggling set of 3?, or a set of paddles and a table tennis ball split between older ones?

[BiddyPop]

Santa bring a stocking and 1-3 larger things (depending on the year and needs etc).

There is also a present under the tree from us, which is usually something practical like an outfit of clothes - not “naice” ones, useful ones that are nicer than regular but everyday wearable (we have no school uniform so more scope for lots of wear). Nice tracksuit and T-shirt, or jeans and a top say.

I do try to get developmental type toys rather than the latest best sellers - but things I know dd will use and can last for younger dcs (or in our case, DCousins).

So when dd had a dolls house, she got extra furniture 1 year, and a new outfit for a doll another time. Extra LEGO. Another car to add to her town building phase (a few dinky cars and buildings from LEGO). Sports equipment (new shin guards, hockey stick, soccer ball, a set of marks to make goals or set up drills to practice skills) got useful when she got older.

[bakebakebake]

At Christmas this year, I will have 6, 5 and 8m old.

The older ones will have one main present (maybe around £50). Then little things I can pick up from now to Christmas.

Last year they had bikes as I knew this year they'd have less.

I have added things to their amazon wish list that I think they'll like and I get a notification if it's cheaper. Depending on money, I can order that and put it away.

So I'll do main present and maybe £100 in other things. Preferably less because they get loads of stuff from family.

[Ooopsijustsnarted]

This year dd will get a stocking with maybe 15 small things, Lego, dvds, annuals, bath stuff etc.

Her main present
4 or 5 gifts related to main present
board games
Lego sets

So maybe 15 things under the tree.

Plus a naice new outfit or 2.

[duckling84]

I try to aim for one £50 present and two £25 presents each. Then some books, clothes, chocolate, etc. That's for under the tree.
For stockings it's socks, pants, a couple of blind bags and some stationary like crayons etc. Oh and more chocolate.
I also have 4 dc.

[nocutsnobuttsnococonuts]

I buy far too much but mine don't tend to have a large main present. I will spend approx £200 each on dds (10 and 6 at christmas) this will be made up of needed items (new backpack/lunchbag/pencil case - don't buy these in september) homeware - new cup, bowl, placemat, blanket for snuggling, duvet cover. Clothes - new pjs, outfit, character pants/socks. Books/comics to read. Then things they will play with - mostly figures/playsets or things they collect (shopkins and the dolls, superhero toys, Pokemon and a beanie boo teddy)

Stocking fillers are made up of the above bits plus chocolates, kawaii stationary, and this year a £5 gift card for Amazon to buy some apps/books on their tablets. Plus a separate wrapped present that they've asked father Christmas for (usually around £25 or less like last year when dd1 asked for some bread to have a midnight snack)

I do start buying now mostly in sales or from ebay - second hand if in good condition e.g. I've bought several shopkin dolls for £4 each rather than the £16 in the shops which will bring down the overall cost. Savings will be used on day outs.

[doodlejump1980]

My Mum used to say “if 3 presents was good enough for the baby Jesus, it’s good enough for you!” She might be into something there...!

[MaverickSnoopy]

Budget is usually £100 plus £25 for a stocking per child. I'm still trying to get it right but the last couple of years have done 1 main/big present costing up to £40 and about 3-4 medium sized ones (costing up £10 each) and then 5-6 smaller things (eg nice felt tips, colouring books, playdough). Sometimes the 3-4 medium is more like 5-6 and then I often get colouring books etc from poundland. I don't buy any tat though.

I tend to go overboard on the stockings, especially if getting £25 worth of stuff from poundland. Last year I discovered their little treasures - pretty hand creams, nice candles, special mini bubble baths all in stock for Christmas. Again, no tat and as a rule most things are "needed". It's a time of year for replenishing the supplies!

I actually feel like I've struck a pretty good balance finally.

[BestZebbie]

We usually end up with 8 tree gifts for our one child, although they might be a few related things boxed together (eg: a set of individual dinosaur models would be one wrapped gift). Santa fills the volume of the stocking plus maybe two or three low value items that don't physically fit inside the stocking (puzzle books that are too wide and flat etc).

[FuckMePinkAndCallMeCedric]

Mine get a main present from me, a stocking and a present from Santa, and a few other things including books (the book people often have really good deals on).

I avoid tat in the stockings so sweets, pens and notebooks, Lego figures, and stuff I know they’ll play with or use anyway. Also socks and pants pad it out nicely too or for a baby socks and bibs, new dummies (if they have them, a sippy cup, those little bath finger puppets from primark.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Ours used to love the Big Box Present , Sainsburys half price toy sale (Oct half term week) was good for things like Bionicles and Sylvanian Family.
Black Friday is probably more popular now.

Christmas stockings would be wrapped little presents and some chocolate to keep them quiet on Christmas morning.

[MrsPworkingmummy]

Gosh, I didn't consider the amount we buy our daughter 'too much' but we certainly get her more than some of the above. I don't know whether that's a good or a bad thing! No specific budget, but would usually spend between £200-£400 on her. She's 6 now. Last year bought her a micro scooter, a pottery wheel, a lol doll, a monsoon dress, a play mobil set etc. This year, we'll be spending less as I've reduced my hours in work and also have a baby! I usually start buying and putting things away from July. X

[SequinsOnEverything]

We have a budget rather than a number of presents. At the moment it's £100 per child, but I guess as they get older and want more expensive things that will go up.

Our main this is to try and avoid adding things that won't be used to our house. They don't play with a lot of toys so they don't get a lot of toys. Last year they only got a couple of small presents from us and their main present was a family membership to a local theme park.

[Redgreencoverplant]

One big present, one medium and then stocking which is about 6-8 things including new socks and pants, a book and chocolate. DS has a ridiculous number of grandparents, great grandparents, aunts and uncles so he gets shed loads of presents so I don't want to get more than a couple of big presents and try to keep stocking to stuff that is needed or edible.

[Thehandmaidshat]

I don't really have a set number of presents. We have a rough budget for each child of around £250-300, they are preschoolers so I suppose in future it'll be more money for less presents!

Stockings tend to be stickers, chocolates, toy animals or little figures a new cup and a chocolate Santa.

[BoxsetsAndPopcorn]

No set number here, although as they have got older the pile doesn't look anywhere near as much as it did when it was the toy stage. We tend to go overboard compared to some but we love Christmas and make a big deal of it. They are only young for such a short period of time and will have some amazing memories.

We don't do stockings though or clothes but do Christmas Eve gifts and treats instead as our tradition.

[EmpressJewel]

Mine get:

1 main present

2-4 other presents, but normally useful stuff like drinks bottles, winter hat, etc

A stocking -budget is about £30 and is stuff like sweets, books, small toys (so about 8-10 presents).