Christmas with children - bloody hell!

[PrincessFionasShoe]

This is my first Christmas as a parent and fucking hell, what am I meant to do with all these gifts?!

I don’t want to sound ungrateful but my living room looks like Smyths Toys competitor and I’m honestly at a loss as what to do with it all. And she’s only 6 months old!!

We asked everyone who said they were getting her a gift to get books, we ended up with about 50 of the things and then they got her something else too, because ‘a book didn’t seem like enough’.

Lovely, really lovely, and she got some great stuff but HOW DO YOU ALL DO IT?! Where does it go?!

I’m just getting round to moving it all now, as I’ve had the worst cold of my life over Christmas so this may be coming into play with my attitude

Off to amazon to buy a toy box!

I feel your pain!

Our DD is nearly 4 and every birthday and Christmas the amount to STUFF is just unreal! No one just buys one present, it's always a gift bundle!

Doesn't help that her birthday is 2 weeks after Christmas. So we haven't even organised the load of Christmas gifts when I'm getting messages of "what does she want for her birthday?"
Nothing! The answer is Nothing!!!
But of course that would be mean so she ends up with another haul!

I'm not ungrateful, honest, just drowning in stuff!!!

We have 5DC and now a Grandchild as well and everyone is with us at Christmas so you can imagine what our house looks like .

Every year a few weeks before Christmas I go through my DC's bedrooms and between us(me them and they're Dad)we sort out what they no longer read,play with,wear and we take it off to the local charity shops,not really a tip you can use right now but one you will be able to use for years to come.

Our DGrandson is our first Grandchild so he has been very very spoilt(by all of us)so my DH had to re arrange the car several times just so he could fit our DD and her DS and all of they're presents in the car so he could take them home after Christmas.

We have a first grandchild in our family too. We were asked for and gave contributions to an annual family pass to a local attraction. Is there anywhere near you that would be suitable?
I think this will become an annual present if it's a hit.

IKEA Kallax and the Drona boxes are your friends.

Be aware that if you ever host a whole class birthday party..it gets mental. I did a joint party for twins, bargain party- hired a pool for an hr and made my own food. 30 guests, 2 birthday children =60 gifts. They were over the moon!

Next year when people ask give a specific thing you would like (we use dreamlist or amazon wishlist) or ask for a contribution towards a bigger item or pass

This ^ Ask family to get an annual pass for a local attraction, then send photos and thanks when you use it throughout the year.

Or say you are going to get her a swing/ climbing frame for the garden and 'contributions towards' would be welcomed

Or ask for clothes or things she will actually need.

Or (and only some people will do this - some don't like to, but OTOH other people would love not having to shop) ask for cash towards some Premium Bonds for her.

I made it very clear we do not need anything but I'm happy for books and clothes and keep an Amazon wish list for ideas. I hate plastic and the waste. It worked well thankfully this year but we have a lot of books and clothing- he's 2 months. My mum paid for some baby classes.

I have said moving forward we would like people to give him their time to go somewhere. We have so much as he's the last baby in family and friends so we are being given hand me downs too. I've also seen for 1st birthday asking for letters to open when 18... which I plan to do (and no gifts).

I second the Ikea Kallax.

We turned our dining room into a playroom. Huge great Kallax across one wall, big bookshelf and toy box.

They’ve grown out of toys now, I’ve got my dining room back again. It’s my playroom now, I’ve got a huge dresser in there absolutely stuffed full of Emma Bridgewater. My pride and joy.

At least you can stack books on shelves..in boxes
It’s the big plastic ride ons you have to look out for
I had three under 5
Nightmare
My uncle spent ages making my Dd a dolls house
Was a replica of their house
It got ruined as there was nowhere to keep it safe
I saw my son launch himself off it’s roof one time
Yes it was really that big
Heartbreaking

This is why I put money aside for my various small relatives instead. Hopefully when they are 18 or 21 it will come in handy for something.

We’re in the process of moving house, the new one has a conservatory on the back. I’ve already told DH we’re putting a real roof on and turning it into a playroom.

Honestly, those of you with more than one child are mad! This is the best contraception ever - willing to do tours for anyone considering children

Dowser big gifts are the worst.

Last couple of birthdays some of dds friends (10 now) have given a few quid/fiver in a card. So much better!

I always give money in a card, sellotaped to a box of chocolates. Saves unwanted gifts.

Wait till they get older.. Toy garages.. Play kitchens. Bikes and ride ons. Play houses.. I have a toddler. I have the ikea kallax units.. With 12 boxes full.
Plus toy room with 2 large trofast units. Ball pit. Kitchen goal post etc.
Plus dining room over flowing with larger toys that don't pack away