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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to only get my DC 4 or 5 Xmas presents?

64 replies

Beebar · 31/10/2015 12:16

The toys they do have are continually scattered all over the house. I am no neat freak by any stretch of the imagination, but this has gotten out of control.

They have designated areas for their toys and books, which I try my hardest to tidy away daily with their reluctant assistance! Yet it all ends up strewn all over the house within seconds. I encourage outdoor play to lessen the mess indoors, but they seem obsessed with turning the house upside down!

Please help

OP posts:
Sighing · 31/10/2015 12:23

1 book. 1 wanted toy. Stocking gifts of nail polish/ hairbands/ notebooks. New pjs / clothes. That's what they get here from me for christmas.

Original poster
Beebar · 31/10/2015 12:31

Thank you. I feel a bit of a meanie... But I really do need a radical approach to this. I honestly feel they don't need a whole new selection of toys.

OP posts:
notquitehuman · 31/10/2015 12:32

Four or five is plenty of gifts. I find with DS that the more I buy, the less he cares, and a pile of presents just leaves him overwhelmed.

Grilledaubergines · 31/10/2015 12:32

How old are they?

Original poster
Beebar · 31/10/2015 12:34

6 and 3. Playmobil and Lego will be the death of me.

OP posts:
Grilledaubergines · 31/10/2015 12:48

I think your plan not to go crazy is spot on.

This year my family are all putting our money together for the children and buying one, very much wanted, gift. It's the only way I am prepared to do it and I know the appreciation will be tenfold compared to us all just buying a load of stuff., Father Christmas will leave his stocking but these are smaller gifts - books, pens, socks, purse, Xbox game and a few Christmas sweets. To me, this is plenty.

When children are the ages of yours OP, toys are quite bulky and in the case of Lego etc, everywhere. Any chance of going through everything and gathering up unplayed with things for the charity shop, with their involvement?

Snossidge · 31/10/2015 12:51

I have only ever done 1 toy from us, 1 from Santa. Some little things in the stocking (a book, card game, small toy, socks, chocolate). New pyjamas and clothes.

DeputyPecksBentBeak · 31/10/2015 12:56

No I don't think yabu, different strokes for different folks. To cut down on clutter here I'm asking gp's for annual passes to a local kids attraction. That way there's nothing in my house, and we get lots of free/cheap days out Grin

IsYourNameMichaelDiamond · 31/10/2015 13:04

I am getting cold sweats thinking about how much shite our two boys will get from various relatives this Xmas and that we've got nowhere to put it! We prob won't get them anything (they're both under three but sorry if that sounds bah humbug!). With friends we've agreed to put money towards days out together instead which makes me happy.

Runningoutofnamesagain · 31/10/2015 13:08

We have four dcs

Previous years have been hard money wise but due to inheritance and dh changing job this year we are in a vastly different position. We have however decided to stick with what we've always done at Xmas which is 2 presents each and stocking bits and bobs. We think it's enough, any more and there are just toys everywhere that don't get played with

We've taken dcs away twice this year and done a lot of home improvements and got them a pet so they are happy and will appreciate what they get at her than having too much and not playing with it all

Iammad · 31/10/2015 13:08

We are cutting down this year, mainly because space and they just don't appreciate play with most of the stuff they have!

SplatterMustard · 31/10/2015 13:09

that sounds fine to me. They don't have to have a massive sack of presents, one of my FB 'friends' posts pictures of what her children have for Xmas and birthdays, they usually get 20 or so each.

watchingthedetectives · 31/10/2015 13:11

Someone on one of the other threads posted - something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read (or thereabouts)

A pretty sensible summing up

DoreenLethal · 31/10/2015 13:11

'Anything not tidied away by the time I come out with this binbag gets thrown in the bin. I'll give you a head start then it is all being thrown away.'

Give them 5 minutes and count down every 30 seconds. Anything not tidied up, gets thrown away. Show them what tidied up means before you do this though.

Perfect activity for a rainy day.

Philoslothy · 31/10/2015 13:13

It sounds very sensible to me, I would have thought this is what most families do.

redskybynight · 31/10/2015 13:14

only 4 or 5? 1 present + a stocking would be perfectly fine, 4 or 5 is loads ...

(worries about a world where 4 or 5 presents is considered to be not very much)

Artandco · 31/10/2015 13:14

Nope 1 main present and stocking here. They will get a few more from relatives but generally ask relatives to get books/ craft stuff that gets used up if possible

We haven't space, I don't think they need millions of toys, and they play well with what they have

Tirinen · 31/10/2015 13:43

I would honestly do a DoreenLethal and binbag the lot of it, but we're on 3-weekly bin collections here and if I stuff it up all in one go, we'd have a black-bin-nappy emergency.

I'm potty-train the youngest and one of the reasons (amongst all the obvious ones) is the sheer joy of more bin space and more THROWING!

Kim82 · 31/10/2015 13:53

I read a thing on the internet today with regards to Christmas presents and I love it. It's "something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read". I think it's brilliant and will be doing this with my four this year as the amount they get from family is ridiculous so they don't need loads from me too.

My youngest will get a play kitchen (want), a pair of boots (need), an outfit (something to wear) and obviously a book as something to read. The older 3 will get similar (the elder 2 will get a bit of cash as their "want" present.

It has taken so much pressure off as to what to get for them.

SummerNights1986 · 31/10/2015 13:55

YANBU op. But I predict that this thread will go the way of many others - with competitive scrooges proclaiming that they get their dc a handful of raisins and a kinder egg which is plenty.

Mine generally get one 'big' or main present - often a shared one. Then maybe 4-6 'medium' presents each - play sets/board games/action figure type things that they've asked for. And 2 or 3 'small' presents (last year they both asked for a snorkel to use in the bath Hmm ).
Plus a smallish stocking of sweets, chocolate, football cards, socks and plastic tat type things.

outputgap · 31/10/2015 13:56

I think mine are going to have 1 big thing each from Father Christmas, 4 other things/sets (eg I've put a cheap Barbie in with the Barbie wardrobe from the bargain thread!)/book sets and then stocking fillers. I'm fancying Tiger and H&M for that. And I think that is defs plenty.

But I feel your pain about the mess.

HelenaJustina · 31/10/2015 14:03

Our DC get one biggish present from us (£20-30) smaller present from each of their siblings (max £10) and stocking stuff (new toothbrush, magazine, chocolate coins)

They then get presents from their aunts and uncles, godparents, both sets of grandparents, some from friends, great aunts/uncles... It is ridiculous enough without them getting more than one present from me and DH!

iwannadancewithsomebody · 31/10/2015 14:05

Mine are only getting one large thing each which is costing in the region of £250 and a stocking each which has been greatly reduced on previous years.

Previously I felt obliged to buy lots for them due to not having much myself as a child, now I realise they don't appreciate it all. The large present they are getting is something I know that they will adore and get many years of enjoyment from plus it's less money than I have previously spent on lots of smaller presents.

momsnest · 31/10/2015 14:08

We have a budget of £75 per child tops. We usually buy 1 big gift a couple of small gifts and a few stocking bits. I know we will likely have to increase this as we get into the realms of tech for Christmas but so far it's been fine (all kids still primary age). They are always grateful for what they get and we buy other odd bits throughout the year if we find a bargain!

My parents did similar with me and I never felt hard done by. We always seemed to have loads of stuff.

TiffanyAchingsFeegle · 31/10/2015 14:23

4 or 5?!

My kids get one each!