To be worried my daughter is going to be disappointed with her Christmas presents?

[loridee]

I have a 9 year old daughter. When me and her dad have been able to afford it, I'll admit, we have spoiled her. This year we have been so skint. She wrote a list to Santa and i was so upset when I seen it as I knew we wouldn't be able to manage it all. We have managed a few things off her birthday list but the other things are just bits and bobs that she actually needs. For instance got her an electric toothbrush, not something she's asked for but something she needs.

I put her gifts out tonight and it just looks like so little compared to usual. I'm so worried she will be disappointed. She would never say she is but it just doesn't seem a lot. I'd be okay if it was all the stuff on her list she's asked for but only managed to get a couple.

I know many people are struggling and she is a lucky girl to even get what she has but I feel like compared to previous years (my fault entirely) she'll be disappointed.

OP that looks like a great amount! And for what it's worth my DD who's 7 would love an electric toothbrush! The one thing she really wanted this year and has told everyone about wanting is a whoopee cushion, so I don't think they always remember the "big" things. Have a wonderful Christmas x

well she may not even remember the gifts in the future. I only remember a few treasured Christmas presents (two of which I still have, a musical cat from when I was 5 months old and a magic nursery cat I got when I was five (and this is one of those fond christmas memories, these came with a diaper you disolved to find a special surprise... The main surprise was the fact the diaper goo clogged my grandmas 1950s plumbing... BOY was she mad)

My daughter had an electric toothbrush on her Santa list! She's also very spoiled and really wanted one

MissMarple82 I’ve always mixed useful presents with fun ones . My 17 year old has Clearasil (requested! I’m not implying he is spotty) and chewy vitamins in his stocking as well as Reece’s pieces , aftershave and a chilled Coke glass etc etc. I’d rather be OPs child than someone whose mother tries to pile on the guilt and kicks others when they are down….hmmm? Take a look at your post. ‘Kids don’t want stuff they need’? That’s something created in your head and will def come back to bite you one day. My son asked for a drill this year for work ???? I asked for a fountain pen in 1983 and was chuffed to bits to get it? Also ….Christmas is about the birth of Christ (clue is in the name) not kids. He gave more than He received- a good lesson whatever your faith. trust me, catering to every single desire does not turn children into kind, happy, hard working adults who somehow love their mothers more than the ones who struggled to get them so much as a selection box. If in doubt, re-watch the Muppets Christmas Carol…..This pile of presents whether indulgent or practical looks just fine! PS best Xmas present I ever got in 1981 was a cuddly otter. Can’t remember anything else that year.

Why would you think that’s sarcasm

because it’s from the poster who’s bitch plopping about buying a switch!

Christmas excitement is so more than the presents. That's just one element. It's the lights, the planning, the company, the food, crackers, the games, the music, something sparkly to wear and films on TV. If she has some of that and a couple less presents, I doubt she'll even notice.

Nobody cares.

Reframe it, not that her pile is smaller (still a perfectly reasonable pile) because you are poorer but because it's better for the Environment. Most children are aware of environmental issues and are naturally quite green and accepting of doing things for nature's sake.

If you have other peoples gifts put all the piles together it will make it look like more.

That looks enough. My children have never had huge piles even though I could/ can afford it. I think they have 5/6 each this year and a shared big gift.
I’m glad the student above was able to save from her benefits to buy her child a switch . Just proves that benefits aren’t so dismal after all. At least you paid for them yourself op!

My 5 year old daughter’s Santa list actually had “electric toothbrush” (though she means those battery powered children’s ones) and “a new water bottle” on it. I was surprised but actually I guess I would have replaced these a lot sooner - her toothbrush from last year broke and she just has had normal toothbrushes since where I might have bought her the vibrating one. We’re feeling the pinch too so completely understand where you are coming from but I think you’re like looks lovely and I’m sure she’ll be grateful!

Whatever she’d get as an unemployed lone parent minus £600 a month for the student loan. Depends how many kids, how much rent she has to pay, disabilities etc. Might also be working if the degree is very low contact hours

I spent 4 years as a STEM UG and single parent to 3, there is not a chance I could have afforded to spaff £300+ on a Switch. My student loan/grant just about covered my private rent for the year. Tax credits/CB/child support covered the rest. Extremely tight but extremely worth it.

Ignore this poster OP. Talking out of her arse.

@AllOfThemWitches sorry, I meant for OP to ignore @MissMaple82 not you!

I find the piles get smaller as they get older anyhow OP.

im sure your daughter will be delighted! Have a great Christmas 🎄

@MissMaple82 I know who I would prefer as my mum and it’s not you.

That looks a lovely pile. Wishing I’d got my kids electric toothbrushes now!

Just look after her op.thats all she really wants.to feel loved and safe.to have a day of joy.so she can linknjoy to the day.so don't put your worry onto her.she will feel it.
And at 9 I would have been ready to hear about needing to scale back.if it's radically different amount I don't think it make ungrateful to notice.thats kids. But she doesn't then need to ungrateful and needs teaching why not if she does.
But just carry on.have hot chocolate in bed.have a cereal breakie in front of a Christmas movie.stay in pjs. Sing carols really bad.
That's what I remember.i remember the memories.traditions.love.

An electric toothbrush is an absolute classic Christmas gift! I bet that will make her feel really grown up :)

I hope it wasn't sarcasm

one year we got electric toothbrushes and on our way to go use them (exciting!) We didn't even notice the new bikes we walked past. I was in there for ages and I didn't believe my brother when he said j missed the bike. I still remember the toothbrush. it was a mermaid.

This is why we have never done lists. You can express a preference but you get what can be got.

Unless you bring your DD up with her head in a bucket, she will know that things are different for everyone this year.

Merry Christmas! I am conscious every family is different and has different traditions and expectations. But please don’t feel like your daughter will be disappointed. Our children (6 and 8) get 1 present from Santa (this year a skateboard for one child and a basketball hoop for the other child), a stocking of sweets and little toys (this year a hex bug and a squeezy ball) and 3-5 presents that they are given from friends/family. They think Christmas is exciting and amazing. We have a tree, we have lights on the house, the elves come to visit, they open their advent calendars each day, Christmas Eve we track Santa using NORAD…..we have a lovely lunch or dinner on Christmas Day. I really believe Christmas can be and is special without lots of presents.

Don't be too hard on yourself. What you got her is plenty, you've done great!

My dad got me an electric toothbrush that played a song from One Direction one year, amongst other things, and I have fond memories of it!

I agree.

Sounds lovely. Merry Christmas.

No worries, I thought afterwards I should clarify that I'm not bashing at all, it's the whole 'I scrimped and saved to buy my children ridiculously expensive presents' spiel, simultaneously dragging OP down, not acknowledging the (possible) financial help that I thought was a bit shit!

@Luredbyapomegranate my 8 yo and 4 yo have electric toothbrushes. Dentist advised me
to get them