Present pics on social media

[Bramleyyapple]

feeling disheartened at social media pictures people I know are uploading. Hundreds of presents wrapped for their babies that are under 1 years old. I haven’t been able to buy mine that many. Aibu to feel disheartened and not good enough

A couple of toys and something new to wear. That's plenty for a baby. They love boxes and wrapping paper though. On my DD first Xmas we bought her My Little Pony baby walker and she was more interested in crawling through the paper. Uploading to s of gifts for a baby shows they have no class.

Reading all this has made me feel better too, I was upset thinking my child is going to be disappointed, but exactly its about the day and the fun and memories you make.
I don't remember any Christmas maybe from 5 onwards and it was the atmosphere I remember most.
Definitely don't feel disheartened, a 1 year old will not know what's going on and one gift seems very special . These social media photos with piles of presents are just showing off , noone needs that amount of things and I bet they don't even touch most of it after it's opened!

I solemnly promise that no baby under the age of one needs lots wrapped up under the tree at all. Hundreds of presents is lunatic.

despite the fact that we are financially fortunately and I could buy hundreds of presents for my children (2+4) I get them each maximum 3 (usually one wanted toy, a book and a fun clothing item) plus things they have from grandparents and family any more and they get totally overwhelmed and shouty! When they were tiny babies they got a couple of board books to chew on wrapped in interesting crackly paper.

You sound like a kind and thoughtful mummy. And hopefully one whose house won’t get completely swamped by useless Amazon tat tomorrow!

For the first few years my partner and I didn't buy ours anything at all (birthdays too) 🙈. A few presents from the family was plenty!

Forget it OP, social media is awful.

Your kids will be happy just being with you and having your love.

Don’t feel bad, babies under 1 don’t need that many presents. They don’t even know it’s Christmas and will never remember.

I actually enjoy seeing peoples present photos though and think there’s so much stress etc around getting everything done if it makes people happy showing the presents off then that’s fine.

My children have always said the thing they enjoy the most about Christmas is that they get family time and our attention where we are not rushing here there and everywhere.
Obviously gifts are good but it's the memories that make it special.

Really who cares? I never compare myself to other people. Sure there will be some who give their kids loads, and those who will barely be able to afford a couple things. As long as you love your children and do your best that's all that's important. If it really bothers you stop looking! More does not always equal best.

@Bramleyyapple
Your baby will be happiest with a cuddle and a box 😊
That's all that matters

My boys are grown, they don't remember many gifts over the years, but they remember monopoly wars, crunchies mysteriously disappearing from their selection box (😇 No idea....) "not the snowman AGAIN"

Etc etc

Enjoy making memories and traditions with your baby

Being a good parent is not measured in quantity or quality of gifts. Some of the people posting pics will have got themselves into debt to buy them which isn't sensible. Others may be struggling with mental health issues and overspending is part of the symptoms. others may just be wealthy and insensitive- you can't stop sich people existing (barring bloody revolution and the guillotine which would be an extreme solution). Whichever applies it doesn't have to affect you. You are doing fine.

Most of the boxes are probably empty anyway with nice wrappings on them.
I don't even know why anyone looks at these pathetic people.

I think if you feel bad its really down to your own mentality and no fault of anyone else. I find present picks distasteful but they don't hurt my feelings - its got internally nothing to do with me. I will do as I see fit for my family. There will always be people who have more money than I do, more stuff, better looks, nicer house, more accomplishments....etc etc. That is life. Comparison is the thief of joy.

That should say pictures, not picks

Children need Presence, not Presents.

As others have already said, a few gifts are the bonus of the day. A good bit of family time and all the little traditions you start as a family is what most children will remember.

I’ll fully admit to going OTT this year with the Christmas activities for our (just turned) 3yo. It’s the first year he’s properly understood Christmas. I’ve dragged him to markets, farm park Christmas events, various grottos and light shows and spent a bloody fortune on tickets 🙈😬 and I asked him last night when I was putting him to bed what his favourite Christmassy thing has been so far…his answer? Staying home and baking biscuits for Santa! ❤️ which cost me about £2 and we spent a whole afternoon baking, dancing to Christmas songs in the kitchen & decorating them terribly 😂
I instantly felt like an absolute idiot for all the big events 😬🙈 Lesson learned for next year. It really is the simple things @Bramleyyapple.

Mute/block these people. Job done

Please don't. Your baby has you that's the best gift of all.

My toddler has maybe 30 gifts for tomorrow (from extended family too) and we had bought about 17 things and have been slowly giving them during the last week! Anything else and he gets horribly overwhelmed. We are saving 5 gifts for when his sibling arrives soon! So OP I’m feeling guilty we got too much! You will never win. But honestly after a few gifts my son loses interest and we end up unwrapping things over the month!

I couldn't agree more

I will probably explain badly but it's a perception thing. This is in your own head.

When you don't have a lot of disposable cash there's pressure to pretend or demonstrate you do or prove something.
When you do have money you don't have to prove anything and can stop caring what people think.

We could probably drop a grand on junk and gifts if we wanted?

Our DD had £10 spent on her last year by choice.
She got aldi building blocks (£7) And I got a second hand shape sorter bus (£3) which she is STILL crazyyyy for.
This year she's coming up 2 we went wild and got her a doll with crib and highchair (£50 total). And i actually think this is a bit much...

Just remember social media is a high light reel, people post what they want others to see. You don't see their bad days or their bad angles.

A lot could be staged pics with empty boxes.

This entirely. For my Ds bday I plan to get him/ask people for day out tickets like xoo annual pass. We’ve ended up with so many toys from family and friends already!

I don't post pictures on social media, I don't follow people who post pictures on social media, I don't parent by social media, it is a choice

Comparison is the thief of joy, OP.
Social media causes so much unhappiness. It's much better to not go on it. It's a boast fest, generally.