Small homes / clutter free and Christmas presents

[Mobey78]

We live in a small house so don't have a lot of space to begin with. I feel overwhelmed with a lot of clutter so try to keep stuff to a minimum to keep the home vaguely tidy.

DCs already have plenty of toys/ crafts / books but we try to have a clear out regularly. What do others in a similar living situation ie not loads of space do about Christmas presents? I feel DCs have plenty so when family members etc ask what to get them I don't want to say things for the sake of it and also we just don't have the space for lots more toys etc.
what do you get your own dc when space is tight or they already have plenty of things to stop the house being filled up with endless stuff? It doesn't help that both dc have birthdays fairly close to Christmas so I feel it doubles the amount of potential stuff coming into the home.

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. I don't want to feel like a Scrooge but then I don't want my house filled loads more stuff!

Depends on the age of your DC but I would suggest:

Stuff they need anyway - PJs, slippers, hats/gloves, headphones, lunchbox, water bottle, towel, sports kit, mugs

Stuff that gets used up - craft kits, plasticine, colouring pens/pencils, fancy paper, hot chocolate, bath bombs

Experiences - tickets/voucher for theatre, go ape, £ towards lessons of some kind

If grandparents and aunts/uncles etc ask for ideas, could you suggest an experience instead of a gift? Going to the cinema and out for McDs with granny, or a trip to the zoo or park with Auntie Jane?

I got tired of buying gifts for kids who have loads of stuff, so I started doing an outing with them (they loved the attention) or gave the family vouchers to do an outing themselves, or where I live, it’s common to buy an annual pass for certain things, like childrens museums or zoos etc. So you’ll have something to look forward to in the New Year.

ETA when I’ve done outings, it’s served as double duty as free babysitting for mum and dad! They’d get 2-3 hours kid free!

I’ve asked for subscriptions to things like a magazine that arrives in the post every month or a theme park/day out experience. Much more enjoyable and long lasting than plastic tat.

I send a cinema voucher to my nephews - its an afternoon out when funds are low in January. Not a big wow effect on the day, but much appreciated by my brother and his partner.

Suggest things that are small and good quality, not large and cheap, or experiences, or subscriptions.

I get my grandsons something to read, something to wear, something to play with and something to eat. I liaise with my dd as to what is on the list and what they need.

Books are a good idea, and don't take up much space. You can even suggest authors or titles and so get ones you want.

Lovely ideas!

Thanks for ideas - I like the idea of experiences for closer relatives like grandparents but obviously won't work for relatives who buy a smaller token gift although I like the idea of suggesting something dcs need

Op it's a shame isn't it! Money in bank or in jisa would be so much more beneficial but people don't like to give money for some reason.
My dx love it...

I would say.... We are so short on space, dc don't need anything, if you feel you must give them something, why not 5 pounds in a card and magazine but really they are OK

I have read on MN of grandparents buying, say, a term's swimming lessons and giving the DC a new costume/towel/swimbag to unwrap, which I think is a nice idea. Could be used for any extra curricular activity.
A cheaper gift might be a cookery set, so mixing bowl, wooden spoon and the ingredients to make cupcakes or similar. Ingredients get used up, and the accessories can be merged into the general kitchen equipment!
Something for the garden, if you have one, which can be stored outside. Spacehoppers, hula hoops, swing ball, pogo stick etc aren't terribly expensive.
New clothes. A sparkly party type dress if you have a DD who would appreciate it. Or character pyjamas and matching dressing gown.
If they are old enough, zoo keeper for a day experience, or an animal encounter. Need to check age restrictions at your local zoo.
Craft materials, or sticker books. Maybe a sticker book, or selection box, and £10/£20 to go in their bank account.

Small but expensive toys to add to a collection you already have: Lego, Playmobil, brio railway etc? And discourage from padding it out with poundshop extras.

Money towards a bigger item, like a new bike.