To not want to get my kids any more toys this year?

[NearlyAutumnNow]

For Christmas….We already have too many toys….the kids (5 and 9) have everything they want and don’t have enough time to play with what they’ve got. Where there are pieces to the toys, they get lost within days. I don’t want to buy any more toys, they just don’t need them. They don’t game or have electronics at this stage. I’m planning to buy new (secondhand) bikes for the kids as they have outgrown their current ones - but what on earth do I do about the presents from FC? Usually they would have a pile of things!! And should I get a few little stocking fillers so they have some things to unwrap in the day (but ultimately will go in the bin probably). Help!! I want to make it magical for them but I’m done with all the crap!

I have exactly the same problems. The kids have too many toys and not enough time to play with them.

I was also going to suggest consumables like bath bombs, hot chocolate kits, craft items, etc and I often wrap up things they need or give them stuff for christmas that I'd have bought anyway like clothes or stationary. Things like air clay get used up really quickly so I'll get some more of that.

Don't they get a gift from grandma/uncle Tom etc?

In our house FC fills your stocking with little bits. Bath bombs, sweets, card games, book etc.

DH and I buy a "big" present. Eg one thing - bike, big lego set or the like. Then there's usually one "family" gift under the tree, nearly always a board game.

DC get a present from grandparents and from 4 aunts/uncles. Thats enough?

Hi everyone thank you so much for the fantastic ideas! I think I’m going to go along the lines of consumables for the FC stocking/pressies and stick with the bikes and other related bits from us.
Argh it’s a slog this time of year isn’t it!!

Books pjs fluffy socks hot chocolate kits pens colouring pencils colouring books
Hope all that not to old fashioned

Underwear, socks, lip salve, selection box, colouring/puzzle book.

New Xmas PJs or slippers and accessories for those bikes and a family game to play

One year I gave my kids a voucher for a party in our garage over the Christmas break. I put it in a pack containing pizza dough mix and a list of ingredients and a voucher for them to buy these ( I made the vouchers and paid in the supermarket), also voucher for ingredients for knickerbocker glory, I put sparklers in the pack.
I put paper , pens, sticky tape, balloons , string and instructions for making bunting, balloon decorations, party invitations and bunting. They spent the whole of Christmas and Boxing Day decorating the garage, their dad helped by relocating the Christmas tree and lights.
They delivered the invitations and all their friends came lunch time on the 29th. All the kids made their own pizza, fruit mock tails and knicker bocker glory.
They played party games and did a lot of karaoke. Most parents stayed, we had peace In the house, different grown ups took turns supervising. It was the best Christmas ever

You are wrong to put puppy in there, it should be kitten or unicorn 😁

Experience gifts like tickets to the cinema or a trip to your nearest city?

I like this. Last year, FC sent each of my kids magical (caligraphy and glitter) letters with a choice of 'experiences'. My little boy chose a reptile petting experience, but there were cinema trips, clip & climb, theatre tickets etc. to choose from. I also bought these cardboard box engine and castle toys that kids colour themselves. With LED lights draped over them they added to the Christmas morning magic. I get a lot of my kids toys on Vinted. I can't stand creating landfill and it's great not having to deal with so much wrapping.

Sunscreen? Towels? Cooking ingredients?! Come on, these are not gift material in the slightest.

OP I would have a good clear out - charity shop it or Vinted. And assess from there, I wouldn’t just not buy anything though, they won’t be little for long

One Christmas we made tokens for activities for our boys and hung them on tree. Things like swimming, ice skating, bowling, cinema, go karts, going to the park etc. We didn't buy vouchers so we could take them when we wanted. They loved them and they lasted for months.

Ask for tickets and passes to shows or zoos etc

Oh OP I feel your pain. Mine are 3 and 6 and it's my MIL that buys sacks for both of them (more than what Santa gets basically) and there is no more room in the house. We don't have a garage and we have a tiny loft. I'm dreading it this year. It was two sacks per child she got last year and despite gentle suggestions to perhaps not buy as much she went in a major huff so I've not said anything this year. Neither has DH.

As PP have suggested, my solution is I have gone with a couple of big presents for each of them in their Santa sack and the rest are more disposable things, like making gingerbread, craft making, paints, pencils, colouring in and play dough. Stuff that eventually can be used up and won't clutter. Also some dressing up outfits and for autistic DS sensory things. I'm hoping the hints of not wasting money have penetrated into MIL but I'm not hopeful... Bless her she just really loves Christmas but it can be overwhelming.

Can you suggest that she keeps some of the presents at their house? I have grandchildren but don't go crazy on anything. This year two of them have sweatshirts and another a set of Narnia books.

We also have toys for those who come to see us

For that age I would got with a board game of some kind, even something like uno, art set, one of those how to draw books, science lab kit, maybe kids knife set of they may want to get involved in cooking?

I bought my niece a kids camera when she was around 8 and she loved that.