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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think hopefully we are not the only ones

55 replies

Dollymixtureyumyum · 24/12/2015 21:49

DH and I have just put the presents out for Ds who is 2 and a half.
We looked at them and then each other and both said "fuck"
We have gone totally overboard and made the mistake both buying stuff and even though we did tell the other what we had bought I didn't sink in how much we had
30 presents for a two year old plus a stocking. Would I be really mean to put some away for his birthday?

OP posts:

mummytippy · 24/12/2015 22:34

Coconutty has hit the nail on the head...

Definitely put at least half away.
My DS was overwhelmed at about the same age after opening about 6 presents... they went on one side for his birthday.

ThisFenceIsComfy · 24/12/2015 22:34

Aaargghh this was not the thread to click on. I have only got 2 presents for DS(3) plus stocking. I'm looking at them feeling sad I couldn't afford more. Hope he's not too disappointed.

Anyway, look if you can afford it and he won't be overwhelmed, leave them. If not, put some away.

ohtheholidays · 24/12/2015 22:34

I've done the same OP and we have 5DC so you can guess how ridiculous are house looks right now.

I'd take some away and put up for his birthday.

jorahmormont · 24/12/2015 22:38

I've done the same OP - started buying in January and done so much eBaying, we have a Happyland city now set up in the living room waiting for the morning... I'm not putting any of them aside until her birthday, I'm just content to spread the unwrapping out over the next couple of weeks

winkywinkola · 24/12/2015 22:44

Ten gifts is plenty.

Save yourself ££££s and stash the rest for birthday and next Christmas.

I know what it's like though. You see stuff and think, "Ooooh that's perfect!" forgetting you've already bought tonnes.

Witchend · 24/12/2015 22:45

It depends. 30 big toys, yes. But mine have that sort of number but 2/3 would be things they'll need anyway. So there's clothes, toothbrushes, stationary for school, new drink bottle, blanket, new duvet cover, school bag, dance shows, revision guides, new bike lock etc.

All thinks they would need now. Shortly, or occasionally could gave done with a month ago!
I discussed it with my older pair (aged 12 and 15 now) a year ago whether they'd rather have them wrapped in the stocking or cone out with me to get it and they said they'd rather have them as presents.

Katarzyna79 · 24/12/2015 22:55

whats wrong with one amazing gift from each parent, I don't get it maybe theres something wrong with me.

I wont rant at you though you are an adult. But yes OP good idea put some away for other special days. but will they still be age appropriate if theyre put away for ages?, bear that in mind.

bestrongandcourageous I don't think you've let them down there is more to celebrations like Christmas other than the amount of presents you give them. Quality over quantity always.You could always get your DD a new years gift.

pictish · 24/12/2015 23:00

30 is a fuckload. Yanbu. he won't pay any heed to the majority of that pile.
Out them away for his birthday, next Christmas and probably the Christmas after that.

notmynameohno · 24/12/2015 23:04

When DS got a lot of presents from relatives etc as a preschooler, he would unwrap them in front of the giver but I would discretely gather a few up and put in the cupboard. Then on a rainy day a couple of months later there was a new toy bring out to play with.

coffeeisnectar · 24/12/2015 23:09

Don't feel bad. I've just seen a photo on fb of someone's pile of presents for their dd. There is more than 30. The child is only 3 months old. I think some are from friends and relatives but it's a huge pile of stuff for a baby.

Original poster

Dollymixtureyumyum · 24/12/2015 23:10

As someone who's husband has been out of work at Christmas and at the same time I could not work due to a disability then I do know what it is to struggle at Christmas thankyou and I do know the true meaning of it. Most of the toys are little cars or dinosaurs but there just looks a lot on the pile. Have put just less then half away for birthday and next Christmas

OP posts:

Original poster

Dollymixtureyumyum · 24/12/2015 23:13

And to the posters that have said they have only got a few and feel mean don't you have been very sensible. I really don't want him to feel overwhelmed so that's why I have put some away. I have spoken to my mum and she has said she will buy three off me to give Ds on his birthday rather then buy more

OP posts:

BeStrongAndCourageous · 24/12/2015 23:20

I actually rang my mum in tears and she dashed over on a mercy mission with a couple of the things she's got to add to the pile, so I'm feeling much better.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and I'm sure all your DCs will love their gifts. [santa]

Beth2511 · 24/12/2015 23:20

We made same mistake for DD and DSD.the penguins and blue paper are what we have got for girls... The rest are family presents. We just didnt realise until everything was actually out. Ph well im npt saving any they will only find them some point or other. Will just learn my lesson for enxt year

To think hopefully we are not the only ones

peggyundercrackers · 24/12/2015 23:24

We have said the same tonight. We didn't really buy a lot but there are so many relatives and friends who all give its just madness. our 5month old has more than 30 however no doubt a lot will be clothes... Not even going to go into what 3yr old got but needless to say spoilt doesn't come close to it.

LagunaBubbles · 24/12/2015 23:27

Only on MN could buying your child lots of Christmas presents be seen as "crass" and be associated with "forgetting the true meaning of Christmas". Meanwhile in the real world you buy your children as many presents as you want.

abbsismyhero · 24/12/2015 23:32

well i thought i was doing ok ds has his birthday 3 days before christmas so i gave him a tablet and a few cars come christmas i began to wrap and found i had bought even more cars then i remembered the lego what's made it worse is its a massive box i bought from facebook 2/3 months ago and i only bought him a dressing gown the other day as i thought i hadn't bought him much for christmas i didn't want to spend much so i figured that looked big without spending too much...i might make the lego a joint gift? it really is a huge amount

fortunately ds 2 has his birthday in january so ive kept some back for him then

fortunately the gifts were all bought in sale and cheaply

itsatrap · 24/12/2015 23:33

Totally agree with laguna

TartanBirdFeeder · 24/12/2015 23:35

Whether you've got a lot of presents for your DCs or just a few it doesn't matter. All that matters is that they are loved and that isn't measured in the number of presents they get.

AwfulBeryl · 24/12/2015 23:40

Good post Tartan, we have gone over board before too. It happens, it's not a massive issue, just a few too many presents.

Original poster

Dollymixtureyumyum · 24/12/2015 23:49

You are right tartan of course
So sorry if my post made you feel bestrong

OP posts:

Ineedtimeoff · 24/12/2015 23:59

god yes, I always do this! set a budget, start buying early and by the time it comes round to Xmas I realise that I've bought too much! Have kept some back for birthday presents.

You are not alone!

LizKeen · 25/12/2015 00:00

Our present piles are looking a little small this year tbh. Especially for the youngest. But she would be overwhelmed which is why I didn't go mad.

I am going round in circles with that train of thought. Alternating between feeling guilty and reminding myself I did the right thing. :o

DD1 isn't so bad as she gets two Santa's, and I know what she is getting at her dad's and between the two of us there really isn't anything else we could have got her.

peggyundercrackers · 25/12/2015 00:03

Tartan I would agree - ours kids are loved by a huge circle of family and friends - they really are blessed.

MyIronLung · 25/12/2015 00:13

I've done this. My living room looks like Christmas has vomited all over it
I'm not worried. Ds (4) will open a few, play and later on open some more. He'll probably be opening them on Boxing Day too.

I will add that this is it for him now. He doesn't get any toys throughout the year apart from his birthday in August.

I got some super duper bargains

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