to have a sinking feeling at the thought of all the new toys arriving this christmas

[anothercoldcupoftea]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not some strange victorian mum, but where am I going to PUT all of the DDs christmas presents? I know DD1 is getting a train set and an art table, plus goodness knows what else. We are absolutely full, no more room for big toys, and she's only 2 years old. The grandparents just keep buying us stuff, even though I've asked them not to. I know we are very lucky, and there are those parents that would love to be able to give their kids so much 'stuff'. I suspect I am BU so give me a kick up the bum. Bah humbug.

Have a clear out of old stuff, or put it in the loft. Your dd won't notice, and you'll have lots of room for new stuff

We have a one in one out policy. WE also alternate boxes, so CHristmas stuff will be around for a month or so and then some will be swapped.

We've had a cull of DS's toys he's not played with for a while and sent them to the local Children's hospital and playgroups because they're still in such good condition.

My parents bought DS a small drum kit and gave it to him as an early present. We now have a 4 year old banging away on the drums singing 'We Will Wock You' (he is disconcertingly good )

We always have a pre-Christmas and pre-birthday sort out and take tons of stuff to charity shops. 95% of the time they don't miss any of it.

At 2 she wont even notice its gone.

Its the only way to keep on top of it.

Well if stuff is coming in, stuff will have to go out as well. Then for next year - move and/or lay down the law to the relatives! We had the same problem till we moved and even now don't have tons of room - I just veto anything massive!

I've just had a clear out, bought more storage, and we're STILL full! I suspect it'll get a bit better when DD2 is more of the same age as DD1 (they are currently 2.3 and 6 months, so lots of baby plastic crap developmental toys around).

I've always liked the idea of alternating boxes of toys, but never been organised enough to actually do it. But I think that if stuff gets moved to the loft, it'll likely never see the light of day again.

Sigh, I guess I've just got to be more ruthless. Right, off to try to cull them again (the toys that is - if it was the DDs that would sort the problem out!). It could be worse - we could be getting a drum kit

Last week I de-cluttered my 4 yr old's bedroom. Threw away a whole black bag of toys that were broken or had missing parts, and charity-shopped two black bags of toys he hadn't played with in a year or more. Felt strangely liberated afterwards, and definitely ready for the onslaught of yet more shite on Christmas Day.

agree with the others - have a big clear out. DS has just had his 2nd birthday and I've taken huge bags full to the charity shop and sold the good stuff on ebay.

Dreading Christmas too though, we've kind of got back to a sensible level of plastic shit his toys in the living room, and now we're going to be over-run again.

god, I sound ungrateful, don't I

anothercoldcupoftea - DBIL threatened to buy DS a drumkit for his birthday! Luckily we put him off in time. !!