Is there a polite way to say stop buying us tat for Christmas?

[Napqueen1234]

DH comes from a huge family. Over Christmas we get lots of gifts from extended family that I would never expect gifts from from my own family let alone his. Aunts, family friends, godmother etc. We have two small kids so get them little toys or pjs etc. One of MILs friends always gives us so much tat- weird coasters from wilko, inflatable things, just bizarre things. I do not want to be ungrateful as it’s lovely they think of us but I hate them spending their hard earned money on stuff which I pile up and give straight to the charity shop. We try to be fairly minimal with the kids and not give them loads of plastic tat but with kids I don’t mind to be honest. But me and DH are adults, we don’t get them gifts and I’d rather they could spend the money on themselves or their families especially at the moment.

Is there a polite way to say thanks so much but honestly please just buy for the kids (I have said this and fallen on deaf ears) or do I just gratefully accept and give to the charity shop? It’s all new and opened so hopefully they get a couple of quid for it.

Choose a charity, say your kids have enough, and ask for charity donations next year.

Send a link to a favourite charity or food purchases for food bank.

It,s tough. One year my sister asked for some things. But not tat. Everything with the theme she asked for in my book was tat so I din,t buy it. But my point is what constitures tat varies from house to house.

I haven't found a way yet! But make a point of really thanking relatives who give me a thoughtful present.

I've also started buying one nice gift rather than three "little" ones that look more impressive.

Also making the wrapping looking expensive or making it a bit of an occasion opening it.

They are starting to get the hint!

Instead of toys of which we have a house full of we would love you to contribute to making memories with the children and would love tickets/vouchers for outings such as the zoo, Castles, Sea Life, Amusement Park, cinema or children’s theatre/Panto etc.

Sure. DH should say this (next October maybe? The timing is actually quite complicated imo.)

"We've been doing a big clean-out/Marie Kondo-ing (whatever he prefers) our house and realised that we have accumulated so much stuff. I know, I know, it's terribly rude to ask outright. But would you be willing to give us consumables this Christmas? Thank you for understanding."