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Original poster

How many presents do your dc have to unwrap?

259 replies

student86 · 21/12/2022 15:54

I realise this might cause a riot but I'm just wondering what the average is?

My own dc don't get "presents" to unwrap from family as we are in a different country so they get money to spend in the sales (also older so appreciate this)

This means they only get from dh and I, I aim for ten presents each which costs a fortune when you have four children and they are all older so gifts more expensive. It never looks a lot when it's laid out though and even though I know big piles on social media could all be plastic tat and I've no desire to get into that kind of competition I sometimes second guess myself.

The dc also get stockings which is over and above the ten gifts but that's filled with cheap bits that they like and sweets etc.

OP posts:
Outtasteamandluck · 21/12/2022 21:20

36 ...BUTTTTT the majority were only a £1 or so

Judgyjudgy · 21/12/2022 21:22

Curious to those spending circa £1,000, do you realise that's appropriately £20k per child by the time they're an adult? A good chunk towards a house deposit? Just seems a waste on toys that they'll get bored of quickly?

BearSoFair · 21/12/2022 21:22

Two teens and one adult (13, 15, 20)
From us, DS1 has 3, DD has 5, DS2 has 5. One more each from MIL on Boxing Day. Then a couple each from friends/girlfriend in DS1's case. Around 7 bits in stockings.

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Girasoli · 21/12/2022 21:25

Either 2 or 4 each (haven't decided how to wrap things yet) and a new book on Christmas eve, stockings on 6th Jan.

Cuddlywuddlies · 21/12/2022 21:26

@Judgyjudgy maybe they save for their dc too though? I save my child benefit for my dc 140 per month per child since the month they were born without interest will be about 30k. Although I don’t spend 1k per child either, possibly half

BluebirdRobin · 21/12/2022 21:33

Diploessence · 21/12/2022 19:41

This thread is rank.

People spending £1000 on each child at Christmas? No wonder the next generation are growing up to be such spoilt, entitled brats. Who the hell needs 30 presents to open on Christmas Day?! Do these children value anything?

I have to agree. I really dislike gluttony, not just at Christmas but in general.

WorkForMums · 21/12/2022 21:35

mamaduckbone · 21/12/2022 17:35

2 or 3 from us plus stockings with about 10-12 small things in, then presents from both sets of grandparents, 3 aunties/uncles, a godparent...that's still less than yours will have from you alone OP so I don't think you have anything to worry about.

This is exactly the same as in our house, and I still feel it is too much. We've cut down to two gifts each for each of our two children this year from us, as when you consider all the little bits in their stockings from santa, plus gifts from relatives, it is a hell of a lot of stuff arriving in the house, some of which just isn't wanted or needed.

Tallulasdancingshoes · 21/12/2022 21:43

About 20ish in stocking/Santa sack, plus chocolate. Some of these are very small though and some useful so not all toys. They get 3 each from us, 1 from their sibling, then some from other family members such as grandparents, aunts, uncles etc. They also have a Christmas Eve box with new pjs in too. No idea how much it’s all cost. I haven’t added it up. Maybe around £350 in total. Ds has had more money spent on him because he wanted something specific for his hobby but they have the same amount of gifts.

OrangePomander · 21/12/2022 21:48

15 each this year, but there’s one main present each and most are things like socks, choc orange, etc.

thaegumathteth · 21/12/2022 21:53

Why do people care how much other people buy? The people who buy 5 presents could be spending more than the person who buys 25 or indeed they could be causing more of a carbon footprint etc.

Krustykrabpizza · 21/12/2022 22:03

What are people getting for £1? Even chocolates cost more than that these days

Tallulasdancingshoes · 21/12/2022 22:13

Lots of cheap bits in places like The Works, Home Bargains, B&M. Chocolate oranges are £1 in Tesco. Aldi had lots of Christmas chocolates around £1 too.

ApproachingTheBig40 · 21/12/2022 22:18

15 stocking fillers that won't fit! As i never judge it right with sizes

15 ish each under tree from us.

1 main. X box /bike etc
We save all year and refuse to buy tat. Only stuff they'll actually use.
As through experience so much got wasted with eldest. I used to over compensate for what his df didn't do. And used to buy a shit tonne of vrap, plastic crap. Talking like 40 gifts!
30 of which would go rarely used or unopened and donated the following year.

So whilst 15 is still a lot its all what they would use or wear etc

Bagsundermyeyestoday · 21/12/2022 22:41

Diploessence · 21/12/2022 19:41

This thread is rank.

People spending £1000 on each child at Christmas? No wonder the next generation are growing up to be such spoilt, entitled brats. Who the hell needs 30 presents to open on Christmas Day?! Do these children value anything?

I agree, as a one-off sure, but every year seems excessive. Would they even notice the difference between 5 or 30 presents Hmm I don't actually know anyone like this is RL

Forestfever · 21/12/2022 22:42

One present each this year as we've spent a lot on the one present. Then a stocking with about 7-10 smaller things.

AdoraBell · 21/12/2022 22:44

4 each, plus stockings.

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 21/12/2022 22:51

Fucking loads. I've been receiving bags of gifts from friends and family for my children and for some reason, this year, each person has given the children two or more parcels each! I can't believe it. I mean, it's very kind but I am actually worried about where we are going to put all this stuff
I probably bought more than was required anyway.
My boys are only 3 and 1!

Bugbeau · 21/12/2022 23:12

Mine have a lot of relatives. They get around 8 small gifts in their stocking plus two gifts each under the tree from DH and I. They will then probably get around 10-12 presents from grandparents, aunts, uncles etc.

RupertBare · 21/12/2022 23:32

@GonnaBeYoniThisChristmas and I'm equally gobsmacked that you give your kids just 2 presents each!

Mine are older - one an adult - and I spend about a grand on each of them. Probably 20-30 gifts each. Some bigger (Apple Watch) and some smaller (gymshark top) and I don't buy tat or stuff they won't use

I start in September, I love Christmas and I feel no guilt about that whatsoever!

ironingboredrefusal · 21/12/2022 23:40

Cuddlywuddlies · 21/12/2022 21:26

@Judgyjudgy maybe they save for their dc too though? I save my child benefit for my dc 140 per month per child since the month they were born without interest will be about 30k. Although I don’t spend 1k per child either, possibly half

How do you get so much child benefit per child? Are you not in the UK?

ZED55JAX0 · 22/12/2022 04:55

Mine are young last year had quite a lot., our eldest getting some very expensive items due to extra money (pc phone iPad etc) but this year will be much less.

each is getting a sack from us and a stocking which has not much tbf I think chocolate and few toiletries (soaps/lipgloss /bubble baths) plus a book! Hair bands/accessories.

then both sets of grandparents bring a gift bag with a few presents for each like maybe three things might be clothes toys game etc

that’s it! No other family/friends buys for us or the kids.

HaggisWurst · 22/12/2022 05:42

I actually tried to keep DS' presents to a minimum this year as he's only 2.5 but he's ended up with loads in total. From me and DH / Santa he's got 7 presents (1 main one and 6 are a mix of toys, books and clothes). And a stocking with chocolate buttons, mandarins, a little post van and 2 pots of playdoh.

My family are also abroad but all gave me money and told me what to order which was lovely. So he has another 5 presents from family, some of it multiple things, and 3 more from my friends which was unexpected and lovely of them to think of him.

I do feel it's a lot but at the same time, I was given an absolutely ridiculous amount as a child (think only child on both sides for 8 years), and I'm not a materialistic person at all today and love buying for others so I try not to overthink it (despite mil telling me he has far too many toys all the time).

Raoim · 22/12/2022 05:52

Bagsundermyeyestoday · 21/12/2022 22:41

I agree, as a one-off sure, but every year seems excessive. Would they even notice the difference between 5 or 30 presents Hmm I don't actually know anyone like this is RL

Show quote history

As they get older their presents get smaller and what is on their wish list becomes more practical.My middle 2 have 30+ presents all toys but a lot cheaper than my older 2 that have 20ish each.
The older 2 have things like trainers that cost more than I would buy through the year. Normal trainer cost £100...xmas £200.
I actually dont know anyone that only gives their child/ren 1 present through choice.

Athenen0ctua · 22/12/2022 06:24

Two, tablet and case (he is using one that is ten years old). Plus underwear, warm gloves, sweets, chocolate, lip balm.

Endofmytetherfinally · 22/12/2022 06:31

Surely cost is a better indication as 1 family might buy 1 present and another 100 and both have the same budget?

We have bought about 15 for our toddler and she'll get the same again from family. Maybe 250 quid all in. Mostly clothes, books and toys with 1 big present in the form of a desk and chair.