To feel bad about the small size of our Christmas?

[Elphie54]

This year kind of hit us hard and we are definitely feeling it. Last year I had bought my daughter a tons of gifts, along with several gifts for each member of the family.

This year, I only really got her 4 gifts, none of which were big items. I know her grandparents got her a lot, but I can’t help but feeling a bit like shit because we did not get her much. On top of that, I only get to spend a couple of hours with family today because I works last night and I work again tonight.

I know I shouldn’t feel bad because we did the best we could with what we had, but I feel like it was a disappointing Christmas for her.

Sorry @SilverLining10 but I doubt at 2.5 yo your child preferred your company to a heap of toys

Currentcake - from my experience 2 year olds would rather have fun and games with a parent than a pile of toys. Certainly the case with mine when they were that age.

21 months! Surely she doesn't really have a clue about Christmas or any opinions on what is or isn't a large amount of presents. Also have no idea why last year you bought her a large number of things...she wasn't even a year old...!

Don’t worry at all. Our kids are several years older but still believe in Santa etc. We spent hardly anything, no big gifts just several lower value bits. They were happy and we get to save cash for year round treats/holidays/buying a bigger house.

Thank you everyone for the kind words. It’s hard being away from family during festive times.

My 2 year old did get a heap of presents - it’s far too much. He wanted to open and play with each thing but also wanted to keep opening things as there were more parcels. Even with a late start and long lunch we called time on it with things left to open when he started throwing stuff and generally losing the plot and went to quietly watch his favourite animation. I actually think 4 would have been about the perfect number of presents, enough for the fun of opening but few enough that he could have played with them all. I think his favourite part of the day was doing a puzzle with DH.
Ironically I am now looking at his presents worrying that they are boring (lots of books and puzzles, wooden garage, clothes, doll and buggy - not all from us) and if my dislike of noisy plastic electronic toys is depriving him of fun. I’m pretty sure if I’d bought those kind of toys I’d be worrying that they weren’t helping his development and that they were bad for the planet! I’m pretty sure that as a parent you just feel constant guilt and worry whatever you do. I

My parents actually saved some gifts for her birthday because I felt like she was getting so much that she couldn’t possibly play with it all.

Just hurts a bit to think that someone has made your child’s Christmas more magical than you. I know that’s not the case and that it sounds ridiculous, but it’s how felt when I left for work, I actually teared up driving in.

Yes I know it’s irrational, but lack of sleep and feeling low, makes things sometimes feel like a bigger deal than they are.

Don’t stress about it

A) she won’t remember, and b) Christmas memories are made by the time spent playing and chatting.

We’ve had a tight Christmas but I can honestly say it’s been one of our best ever. We put so much value on buying ‘things’ when that’s not what we remember. I couldn’t afford the big ticket items the kids had put on their lists but my youngest burst into tears when she saw that Santa had bought her her favourite book series she’d wanted for ages but hadn’t told anyone.

Don’t stress it- just enjoy.

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