agreed a £10 limit for kids presents and just opened about £200 worth

[littlemissmulledwine]

how would you feel?

we agreed a limit as moneys tight for both of us then ds (9month) presents arrive and open them to find over £200 worth.

i feel uncomfortable and have asked to return some as they have tags as we arent in a position to spend that much on their dd's

it wasn't me who suggested the limit it was her

by opening a few presents a day he gets to play with the things people have given him rather than unwrapping everything xmas morning and having lots to look at all at once. It has worked really well for him and as you all have said he won't really understand its Christmas so why not let him enjoy a few things each day before

But if you're only opening a few each day, how do you know what's in all 16 parcels from your sister?

You might have opened the most expensive ones already, all downhill from here and nowhere near £200 spent?

as we opened them this morning, he gets some presents after breakfast and has the day to play with them

its quite a common thing in ds baby group, quite shocked about peoples reaction to opening them

when he's old enough to understand Santa etc we will leave them til xmas day but as he's not were opening some before xmas

Like others have already said why not donate some if you have too much?

So he got to open 16 presents after breakfast , that is hardly a "few" ! Sounds like everyone has got rather carried away. Have gp's spent similarly on their other gc ?

no gps are putting some money into his bank account for when he's older

i will donate it if she can't take bits back but would rather she exchanged them for things for her dd's as she did say they needed some clothes

I sometimes think I'm living on a different planet.

Sixteen presents from one person, to a 9mo, and your solution is "hmm, that's a lot... I know, let's open them before Christmas instead of after".

Honestly, honestly, a few presents that he spends lots of time exploring will be far better for his development than two or three dozen new toys every day for a month week.

Most 9mos save their enthusiasm for the wrapping, especially a good big cardboard box.

my solution is to try and give them back!!

your right about boxes, he's obsessed with the box we keep the nappies and wipes in!

What 9 month old is overwhelmed by the sight of his parents opening a load of clothes, nappies and formula on Christmas day? Even if this were likely, surely you'd wait until Christmas before starting to open them, doing it when he was in bed if it was really necessary.

Are they all 'boy' toys? (if she's used to buying 'girls' toys,she mightn't have been able to resist buying 'boys' ones)Have you been good to your sister in the past,when her older kids were small?

It could be that she set the 10 quid limit for you to spend as she thinks you have spent enough on her kids through the years,and that now it's her turn to 'repay' you.

Just ask her straight out...'how come you spent so much,I thought we were only spending a tenner'.It's the only way you will know for sure.

How long has "he" been opening them for?

I think you're over estimating the developmental benefit of his millions of toys OP!

Why is the OP getting such a hard time? Given that the baby has been given so much stuff I think it's actually quite a good idea to open some beforehand. Why not?

thankyou!!

Personally I'd just say something like," I though we were spending £10, where on earth did you get all these bargains?". She might well have got some eBay or charity shops (or is re-gifting) but leaving the tags on is a bit weird, especially if she's then saying she can't return them.

I'm a bit harsh and I'd say thanks and then use them, or eBay them, or keep them for later in the year. It's up to her how much she spends, not you to keep her in budget.

However, it is a bit strange to open gifts before Christmas unless you're away visiting people. DD opened a couple of presents this weekend as we were with my mum and she wanted to see her open them and take photos. We're not seeing her again over Christmas, so this was perfectly understandable.

Seriously, for a forum that is so anti-judgypants, this is judgypants at their finest.

I was wondering the same as Hilda ^ I have boys, so on the rare occasion I have had an opportunity to buy for a girl, it has been quite fun :) I also think asking your sister straight is a good idea, OP.

I don't see any problem with opening pressies early, either. It's not 'usual', but who cares?! Christmas day is a just a date, really; and while older children might enjoy the anticipation, a baby won't.

Never posted in this section before and doubt i will again, i was just asking a question as to whether i should accept the gifts or see if they could be exchanged for something for her own dds.

It seems that for some reason ive upset people by opening some of ds presents early. I dont see what harm it does for him to have some bits earlier that he can enjoy rather than rushing to open them on xmas day morning before going to see dp's family then mine.

Im pleased i opened his presents from her today and not on xmas day as i think the feeling of being uncomfortable with the amount spent would take the shine of the presents. By opening them early i have the opportunity to sort the situation out before xmas

"Im pleased i opened his presents from her today"

You opened all 16 presents today?

yes i did!! This seems a real crime on mn

because it's fucking insane!!!

Sorry, my sarcasm filter is faulty.

I do agree that sorting this out before Christmas should be better, particularly if you think she is short of money. Overgenerous presents put everyone in an awkward position.

Good luck!

Nothing wrong at all with a little boy playing with his new toys a few days early, GET OVER IT!!!!!!!

It's not insane. Unconventional yes but insane no

It is completely normal to open a few presents each day, but one usually STARTS on Christmas Day! I can't see why you couldn't have waited another week to start. A 9 month old is likely to be as happy playing with a box as with any of the toys.

All very strange...