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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to have gone completely overboard on ds for Christmas?

38 replies

geordieminx · 11/12/2010 20:49

Dh and I have just got ds' presents out of the garage to wrap. I'm Shock and Blush at how much stuff there is, and it's made me feel quite sad, especially when there are so many on here that are struggling.

He's on 3.5, and there is literally a mountain of stuff. Sad

OP posts:
mylifewithmangers · 11/12/2010 20:50

Keep some for next year

TrinityMotherOfRhinos · 11/12/2010 20:50

can you afford it

did you want to give it him

will you help him look after it

well then its all ok then Smile

onimolap · 11/12/2010 20:53

Yes, it's unreasonable on many levels. But you're enjoying it, and he'll enjoy it, and it's harmless.

So have fun!

(But it is worth hiding some of the pressies after unwrapping, and bringing them out over the following weeks).

Original poster
geordieminx · 11/12/2010 20:54

Trinity - actually had a clear out last week, books and toys for a 2-3 year old? PM me if you'd like me to courier them to you, I had hoped to get down at the beginning of the year ro help you out but couldn't make it.

OP posts:
Original poster
geordieminx · 11/12/2010 20:55

Some of the presents were left over from last year Blush

OP posts:
c0rnsillky · 11/12/2010 20:56

keep some for his birthday

ChickensHaveNoMercyForTurkeys · 11/12/2010 20:56

If you can afford it, and you don't think he'll be spoiled, YANBU.

Original poster
geordieminx · 11/12/2010 20:58

I think he is spoilt in the respect that he gets a lot, only child/only grandchild, but he doesn't realize, and never asks for things (apart from Mr Men to be put on the tv for him Grin)

OP posts:
anonymosity · 11/12/2010 20:59

Why not give some to Gt Ormond St or similar?

c0rnsillky · 11/12/2010 20:59

you could always donate one if you have loads of stuff for him

sarahfreck · 11/12/2010 21:01

Save a few for presents for any birthday parties he may get invited to from Nursery or wherever? Will save you a bit of money when the time comes. Otherwise, if you think he is going to be totally over-faced on Christmas morning, stagger them over the 12 days of Christmas or keep some for his birthday.
Make a list of anything you save for his or friends birthdays so you know what you've got and don't buy more than necessary.

narkypuffin · 11/12/2010 21:05

I'd sort through them and if I felt I'd really gone OTT I'd search for a local charity that deals with poor families. They'll take any spare presents and give them to children who wouldn't get anything this Christmas.

For next year, make a list and add to it each time you buy him something. It's really easy to lose track if you pick up bits and pieces over a few months.

StarExpat · 11/12/2010 21:09

It's fine :) we were Shock at what ds has, too. It's from shopping early and eBay and nearly new sale stuff. His birthday is in the fall and this stuff is appropriate for his age and interests now.

I don't believe in expecting gifts or grasping behaviour over gifts or giving a mountain of presents...etc but he'll get a lot this year. We've had a clear out of babyish stuff so he doesn't have much now anyway so Xmas gifts will be well loved, I'm sure.

He's only 2 and it will do no harm. We haven't overspent or even stretched ourselves financially.

Don't worry about it. As long as he knows how lucky he is, participates in giving as well as receiving, enjoys aspects of Xmas other than presents and shows appreciation/says thank you/is gracious... It's fine!

StarExpat · 11/12/2010 21:12

Oh and we give to charity anyway throughout the year and at Christmas.

And we plan to spread it over a few days.

narkypuffin · 11/12/2010 21:12

This is an easy way to donate if you feel you've bought too much.

ShanahansRevenge · 11/12/2010 21:12

I have removed some presents from my DCs piles and am taking them to our local Save The Family centre...they'll check them and wrap them up in case of sudden arrivals who may come over Christmas...these are families who have lost their homes....and need accomodation together.

The kids have been uprooted and are often in troubled homes anyway...I suddenly thought the same as you the other day "Too many...some are going"

monstermissy · 11/12/2010 21:13

He will probably get bored after opening a few and like my 3 year old wander off. We then have to try and encourage him to open them throughout the day. I always buy too much but i don't care i love it. I will put some away and get them out through the year though.

If you can afford it and are happy with it don't worry enjoy it.

dinkystinky · 11/12/2010 21:14

Its fine Geordiminx - but remember this next year and maybe you wont go so overboard. All DS's relatives are given a 2 present max limit (us included - one present and one small stockingfiller if they so wish) which has served us well in avoiding too enormous a xmas present pile...

cupcakebakerer · 11/12/2010 21:58

Cut your cloth accordingly I say - if you can afford it why not? Christmas comes but once a year :)

Original poster
geordieminx · 11/12/2010 21:59

We can afford it, might not be able to next year, or the year after, but that's my reasoning too.

OP posts:
GrizzlyMacDuff · 11/12/2010 22:03

YABU.

It is obscene to have a mountain of stuff for a 3.5 year old. Do you want to spend ALL DAY just opening presents? Have him think THAT is what christmas is about?

I would put some stuff back and give it to him for good behaviour through the next few months. But it is your call.

merrycompo · 11/12/2010 22:07

Take some of it back , get money back and put it in his bank account

he'll need it when he goes to uni Xmas Grin

Menagerie · 11/12/2010 22:41

Give some to Barnardos. They hand out presents to children who get nothing else for Christmas from anyone, including their own families, either through poverty or neglect. The excess presents will make a huge difference to those kids and no difference at all to your 3 year old.

MorticiaAddams · 12/12/2010 06:05

YANBU to go completely overboard if that's what you want to do but I don't understand why you are saying you feel sad when it's easy to either return it or give it to a charity as already suggested by others and seemingly ignored.

geordieminx - it's made me feel quite sad, especially when there are so many on here that are struggling.

If it made you feel so sad then why on earth did you come on here to tell those that are struggling?

I'm actually quite confused by this post.

Catchthewind · 12/12/2010 06:12

Me too.

What was the point of the thread? I'm really confused.