Please help me adjudicate the argument I have scheduled with DH tonight. We usually send the children of friends a small present (usually a book) at christmas. As the years have gone on more and more friends have kids and this year has been a birth explosion. We have also had out own first child.
So while i am happy to send presents to the children of one or two best friends, I am not sure we should continue to send to everyone as now it looks grabby. What I imagine will happen is that they will not send, then feel guilty when presents arrive, then make sure they send next year and begin a cycle of reluctant gift buying. Its also getting out of hand in terms of numbers of kids and i hate the idea of people feeling compelled to send us something at a busy and expensive time of the year.
DH suggested we send to those that we have done for years and not the new babies but then I am sending to the oldest children, not necessarily the children we know best. Some of these friends also know each other so could be awkward if they find out I sent to one older child but not the new baby.
I would prefer to only send to 4 kids we know best. If other pressies to our baby drop through door i will run to post office that day with the reciprocal gift. DH thinks we look tight and as if now we have a baby we cant be bothered about other peoples kids.
Please adjudicate ladies of mumsnet - I will abide by your decision!