To think my 2 year old deserves a proper Christmas even if I’m on a budget

[ChooseNight]

So I’m trying to be organised and I’ve nearly done all my Xmas shopping already and I’m honestly quite proud of myself because I’m not made of money and I’ve got everything from charity shops pound stores or Facebook marketplace and I don’t see the point of spending stupid money on toys when you can get loads if you shop smart

So far for my 2 year old I’ve got

big plastic ride on digger from Facebook marketplace 8 pound
12 bath bombs shaped like Xmas trees
4 different tool sets (one has plastic nails and hammers and screws)
huge bag of sweets from Home Bargains
Crayons
Sticker book with 900 stickers
3 soft toys (Cocomelon lion and a random blue bear)
finger paints
playdough set
bubble machine
glow sticks (a whole tub only 3 pound)
one of those microphones that echo REALLY loud
sippy cup with dinosaurs
dinosaur slippers
pack of marbles
face paints
a kids gardening set
plastic tea set
light up bouncy ball
2 stocking fillers full of chocolate coins and candy canes
kids tablet case (I dont have the tablet yet but will get on payday)

All this only cost me about 42 pound altogether which I think is amazing. I still want to get him more for his stocking so maybe some tiny toys from the pound shop, they had bags of bouncy balls for 99p and also small party bag toys which I think he would like

My sister keeps saying I’m over doing it and that he won’t even remember Christmas but that’s not the point is it I want him to have a MASSIVE pile to open so it feels magical. I didn’t have that growing up and I want it to be different for him. I don’t get why people spend like 200 pound on one thing when I can get loads for cheaper

AIBU and should I get MORE or is this enough. I just want Christmas to be proper and special. I don’t think anyone can say I’m being stupid when I’m literally saving money. He will love it.

You might want to spread it out over 5-10 days or else they just get wild and don't really see anything/ appreciate anything/ play with it, just onto the next. We find that if we do a bulk on Xmas day, then a few a day around the xmas period, they enjoy each gift more.

Good bargain hunting though!

To be honest your toddlers will most likely be overwhelmed. You are setting the traditions and expectations now - its easy with a toddler to pick up 2nd hand or bargain items its not so easy when they get to 7 or 8 and ask for specific things. I wouldn't bother with the tablet they have more than enough to keep them occupied and if you hand over a tablet the rest will be ignored.
Edited to add marbles wouldn't be something I'd give a 2yo they are a choking hazard even if being supervised when playing toddlers are quick and its easy to miss 1 under a couch etc when tidying away

I don’t see the point of spending stupid money on toys when you can get loads if you shop smart

Problem is you’ve flipped this to where you’ve spent smartly but on a stupid amount of toys.

Stop- you will tip yourself over the edge, presumably you’ll want to go one better next year and the next.
There won’t be any “things” left to choose from.
Your child does not need all of this.
Think what are you teaching your child?
You sound like something is missing from your life but buying non essentials isn’t the answer, maybe think about seeking some counselling

YABU. He does not need a tablet!

Why does a massive pile of presents make Christmas magical?

Its the people, feelings and experiences that make Christmas magical, not the materialistic tat.

Nothing wrong with some sweets and chocolate

This

wow ok I didnt expect so many replies already

I wasnt asking to be judged as a bad mum or anything I just thought Id share what I got because I was proud of myself for doing Christmas on a budget. A lot of you are acting like I’m chucking him in a landfill of plastic and sugar. Half of this stuff people suggested is dangerous I literally had as a kid myself and I’m fine. I said MARBLES are to play together not for him to eat obviously. I’m not stupid.

and the tablet case isnt even for now it was reduced and I wanted to grab it before it sold out. I’m not sitting him in front of a screen all day. It would be CBeebies and nursery rhymes when I need to get tea sorted because I do everything on my own. I don’t have family that really help so sometimes I need 10 mins peace.

people keep saying this is for ME like I’m some kind of materialistic freak. I didn’t get a magical Christmas growing up and it sucked so yes maybe I want him to have the feeling I never had. That doesn’t make me a bad parent. I don’t think its wrong to want a big pile under the tree.

I didn’t realise that quantity of presents was such a crime on mumsnet honestly. Some of you are saying he will only open 3 and get bored well thats not him he LOVES unwrapping anything he even unwraps wipes if he finds the packet

I’m not teaching him to be grabby I just want it to feel special. I know he wont remember but I will. Its one day.

I might take the marbles out if its that big a deal but I’m keeping the rest and I might still get a few stocking bits because its my budget and my child.

but thanks to those who were nice and not acting like I’m personally ruining Christmas for the whole world

Do not get more! He's only 2. He won't appreciate loads of stuff, half of it won't get used and you'll build up silly expectations over the years. It's a waste of money and resources. Who are you trying to please? The child would be happy with just a couple of presents and some attention on the day.

P.S. A 'proper Christmas ' is absolutely nothing to do with a huge pile of presents.

YABU

Why do you want to teach him that MORE and LOTS and BIG PILES = special though?

I agree with you. But it sounds like for OP, and for many, Christmas is not about anything spiritual, just indulgence and material goods.

I'm intrigued why you posted a thread asking for opinions and have now thrown your toys out of the pram because you don't like the opinions you asked for 🤣🤣

He's 2, he'll be happy playing with the wrapping paper.

Don't get him a tablet yet - send / take back the case and just keep the money.

Absolutely this.

I'm sure your big pile of presents will look epic on the gram though
so that's a win

I think it's lovely you are doing in within your budget and agree at that age second hand is ideal.

I'd do more of this for decent stuff than go for cheap plastic tat.

Wooden railway was the best thing we got. Grows with age and can be added to over the years. Different stages of play from you building a small circle to them building something complicated through every room in your house.

Car garage was also popular. Both were bought from new to you sales for very little but extremely well used.

Although fair play
if you were aiming for mumsnet bingo I call house

Why don't you teach him that the magic of Christmas is about giving, if it has to focus on presents at all?

Let him choose some things to take and give out at those disadvantaged kid things.

That IS a massive pile, especially for a two year old. Be prepared that he may not even open it all on Christmas Day.

You asked, so I’ll answer:

It is a ridiculous amount of stuff for a two year old.

Some of it is lovely for that age, some of it is completely inappropriate.

You have done incredibly well with your budget. If money is tight, stop spending now (no tablet!!!) and use that money elsewhere.

So you’re doing it for yourself?

Haha, one of my most enduring childhood Christmas memories is of my mum bitching about the hazards of giving loads of oranges with cocktail sticks poking out of them and lit candles to small children, and then making them process up the aisle. Someone is going to poke their eye out on one of those one day or set their hair on fire and she will be vindicated.