Why are so many parents/children upset today regarding presents?

[Joinedforthis2021]

Quite a few threads already about parents being upset with the reaction of their children when opening presents.

Im intrigued what the root cause of this is?

Society pressures?

Parents wanting to go the extra mile on trying to make it extra special?

Please just remember it's one day.. Aslobg as we have good health..what does it matter? Please don't stress and try and enjoy the day.

My DD has bought me a pair of earrings with her own wages, I am over the moon! All DCs seem happy

DS (9) Has opened all of his and I think between everyone we got everything on his list.

He was very happy with his presents but he seemed a bit sad and when I asked what was wrong, he said since he had burst his balloon, he was hoping Santa would get him another one.

Santa would have, if he hadn't burst it last night at 9.30pm

Mine are chuffed with theirs! One of the gifts is a lordship title for my oldest and he's extremely pleased and thoroughly enjoying making comments about it and lording it up!

I think sometimes the parents have too high an expectation on how their child should react, so anything that doesn't meet this standard is taken as being ungrateful.any of us (and this thread shows) that often it is the ultra cheap, random present that initially gets the best reaction.

DS (ASD) is totally doing everyone's head in at my house though.

As long as I've got a roof over my head, a warm house and love from family then the rest is just fluff IMO.

That's the thing though, isn't it? Really shit presents can amplify the fact that the love isn't there. Look at the thread on here about the ungrateful little boy....a few posts later and it turns out his sister has got more and is generally considered to be a lovely child, while he is the undeserving, naughty one. It's not about the presents, it's the perceived lack of love.

@Anitarest

Everyone here happy with their presents including the dog, so a bit boring I suppose. I could say happy except for the legwarmers my DC bought the dog. She dislikes them intensely and is trying to chew them off.

Leg warmers for a dog ? photos or they are not real . My dog got a jumper . She was just glad someone was thinking about her at Christmas to go out and get her a present .

There was a post on here about a parent gearing herself to confront a gp about buying her 2 year old a tablet!! She had gracily cut back on gifts to allow the same gp's to spoil her child. I swear some people need a privilege check

We are all well pleased with our gifts. Kids are very happy.

@Mommabear20

My DD (18months) got so many lovely presents and is currently running around with a pair of leggings on her head 😂 I think kids follow their parents lead, if you look dissatisfied with gifts, so will they!

I think you'll find that the way a child or young person reacts differs markedly from that of a baby.

Neither my DD or my neice or nephew complained today...all presents from second hand due to finances...nothing on Facebook of any friends re disappointment. We had a great Xmas just together which was totally different to last year 4 mins on doorstep. Presents don't matter!

Sometimes adults are upset about presents because they can represent how little they are considered or known by others. Not always, but sometimes. And when they themselves have gone to a lot of effort that can sting.

@ENDOFMESSAGE

What is a normal amount of presents for one child to open (in total) on Christmas Day?

I don't think there is a 'normal amount'.

We have three teens who got about 6 things each from us. For example, one was an item of clothing each (hoody / slipper socks / t-shirt), one was drink related (hot choc / beer / bubble tea) and the best was a decent sized Lego kit each.

Younger kids get far more but much of it is plastic tat from GPs...thank God those days are over

@Hb12

Sometimes adults are upset about presents because they can represent how little they are considered or known by others. Not always, but sometimes. And when they themselves have gone to a lot of effort that can sting.

This is it, exactly. It's not the gift itself (or lack thereof) - it's what it represents in terms of care and thought for oneself.

@ENDOFMESSAGE

What is a normal amount of presents for one child to open (in total) on Christmas Day?

I don't think there is a "normal" either.

Quantity can change depending on cost. Mine had about 6 parcels each to open - but these included gifts from family in the UK (which I buy and wrap to make everyone else's life easier, and mine too, to some extent) so I suppose it was 3 parcels from us, 1 from each other, and 2 from UK family.

The average is 16 for a child in the UK.