3 DC and only one big bag of presents

[FuckityFuckBollocks]

I don’t understand when people say they’ve been wrapping presents all day.

Eldest DC have two presents to open each, they both got new trainers too which they have already.

Youngest has a few cheap games from Lidl and a kindle fire plus stocking stuff which is all stuff he’ll use.

For family, we don’t buy individual pressies, we do a family pressie instead.

In the past, I used to buy more but most of it just ended up scattered around the house and never used so I don’t bother now. I just don’t get the need to have a big pile of pressies anymore.

It took me max two hours today including bits for one stocking, writing a few cards etc - I was watching TV too so wrapped slowly.

Amazed at the huge numbers of gifts some give to each family member - and dogs ...

Well here's the explanation for you.
They either wrap very very slowly or they have a lot more presents to wrap.
Happy to add to your knowledge base, you're welcome. Happy Christmas.

I give my kids more than two presents, that’s why

Amazed at the huge numbers of gifts some give to each family member - and dogs ...

I think what amazes me most is how easily amazed many MNers claim to be are by many utterly normal, commonplace things.

One poster has wrapped 5 presents for the dog, that isn’t common place. We get our dog a present, but 5 does seem over the top and to wrap individually, they really won’t be counting how many presents they have under the tree!

If someone is complaining about expense and time spent wrapping, but they have wrapped every individual bit of plastic tat and chocolate in the stockings, then more fool them. And as stated earlier it always seems to be mainly mums that feel they have to spend hours wrapping. And when you think about it is such a waste when it gets hardly looked at, ripped off in seconds and thrown into landfill (as a lot of wrapping can’t be recycled. Especially if the presents arrive under the tree Christmas Eve and so the pretty wrapping is hardly seen.

I think you hit a nerve here OP 🤣

I also have 3 kids with about the same number of gifts as you OP. They get 2 each under the tree and a stocking. I do wrap the stocking gifts, even chocolate coins but it doesn't take me long. However unlike you I understand that other people have different ideas and traditions.

Both DH and I come from poor backgrounds and only ever got one gift and a stocking so we just continued that without much thought. Also my kids have all completely failed to express what they actually want apart from one wanting headphones and another a squishmallow so I don't feel pressure to buy lots. I personally don't like the idea of massive piles of gifts but each to their own and if they want to hire a hotel room for a day of getting gifts wrapped, crack on.

It's not rocket science Op.

I wrapped everything for DH plus 3 x DC and DDog while watching Love Actually, which goes for 2hr 15min. Lots more per person than you mentioned, so I must be a fast wrapper! Really, does it matter? You do you and let others do the same.

My DP's cats get presents. 😂

Though one just likes playing with cardboard. So yes I do wrap a box.

(It's an easy way of remembering when you last brought them toys and treats.)

A lot of people buy so many presents. Each tot heir own I guess...we did 1 expensive gift last year ( a few hundred pounds) and stocking. This year we are doing the " something you want,something you read, something to wear and something you need" for each of our kids. Stocking from Santa and they also get other 7 small presents each from family members. So we never buy that many presents because it gets out of hand. We buy for some family members (adults and kids) - around 16 presents total for outside our nuclear family. It doesn't take that long to wrap.

Me. Just a tin of biscuits or small box of chocolates. They are all elderly and we all drop things in to each on Christmas Eve.

Our dog has 4 wrapped toys - just using the brown paper packaging that some of the deliveries came with. We often play enrichment games like ‘find the wrapped up treat’ anyway, just to keep her mind working, so this is the same principle. Watching her opening them is fun so I don’t begrudge the few pounds I spent or the 10 mins wrapping them up.

@mollyfolk do they then think they have to get you a present too?

We have a bigger family than you and are more generous as are many others. You cannot possibly be so obtuse OP to not understand that everyone is different. TBH your post makes you sound a bit of a killjoy but each to their own. More to the point I enjoy the wrapping. DH and I spread everything out on the lounge floor, get out the wine and chocs, put Father Ted on the telly and off we go. It's as much part of our Christmas as trees and turkey.

As I said everyone is different and whatever you do and however you celebrate, have a good one!

Hopefully they don’t think they have to. We’re aren’t friends/friends with our neighbours but they are neighbours - we say hello , we put out each others bins, my husband helps one of them get their decorations out of the attic. I just think it is nice to be neighbourly and acknowledge the little ways we watch out for each other.

I have been wrapping for weeks wrapped about 370 gifts including stockings. Very big family to buy for surely you can understand other people's circumstances are different?

If you don't understand that more presents = more time spent wrapping then you probably need a bit of help.
Does the concept of larger family/more guests = buying more food than you blow your mind too? Want to judge people for that as well?

And most importantly, why do you care? If a friend of yours looked down on you, or started a post on here called "AIBU to think "cheap games from Lidl" is a shit present if you can afford something better?" I'm sure you'd be the first to complain, so why is it okay the other way round?

I don't buy loads of presents either but I couldn't care less about those that do. In fact, if anything they are putting money into the economy which will ultimately benefit everyone!

Of course they do.

@DragonFly98 370 presents is consumerism gone mad

For our dog the getting gifts and taking the wrapping off is the best bit . He would happily unwrap everyone else’s gifts as well and he does it very carefully .

I love this. Happy Christmas @KThnxBye

It's very simple really.
Different people/ families, all do Christmas in their own sweet way!

They may have wider/ extended family to buy for. They may buy for colleagues/ the bin men/ the cleaner/ dog walker.. who knows!!!
They may have 10 children!

Wow.. what a post!

A lot of people buy more stuff than that - simple answer. Stocking fillers also take ages to wrap

I buy more for DD and her partner than the OP, but I do very, very few otherwise. Extended family agreed some years ago to only buy for children, and my Great Nephews are old enough for a voucher. I don’t have a tradition of buying for friends (though I have got one for one lovely friend who’s having a bad time this year).