Does anyone else have this panic looking at the piles ?

[mamatomany]

Every year I do this, wrap up their presents and then think hmm there's not very much there.
Because they are getting older the presents seem to get smaller and less thrilling if you like.
And there is nothing they desperately want. I asked for lists and the eldest couldn't think of one sensible thing she would love.
So 10 presents each, things like books, bubble bath, DS games but it looks pathetic :(

10 presents each is a lot, Do they have a stocking as well?

The presents under our tree always go in a mixed up pile/bundle around the tree, We have never seperated them into a pile for each person

Our eldest is a teenager now but our youngest is five, so the difference in 'pile' size is ridiculous, even though the value is the same. Which is why I am putting our eldest's ipod and other 'little' things in big boxes, filled with balloons and the pressie at the bottom. I love a big pile!

No, the 10 presents is including the stocking but I couldn't help myself, Missy has shown a interest in something I approve of so I took advantage of the 3 for 2 deal at Tesco's and have bought her some more bits and pieces.

mamatomany i've changed my mind as you said the 10 presents are including the stocking. Mime j-=have always had quite a lot of small things in thier stocking and one big presnt from us under the tree, No item in the stockings cost more than £5 and most are les then that,

Oh and the stockings always go at the end of thier beds and not round the Christmas tree

We all had piles as children as there were so many of us, I guess it was the only way to organise it. It must have been a nightmare though for all the parents as we were 3 families (cousins, aunts, uncles) and I wonder if there was much angst when one families piles were bigger than another. Must ask my mum

Now that there is just my two dcs opening their gifts at my parents, we put it all under the tree after they have gone to bed on Xmas eve, so they get the general impression of loads of presents even though they are not all for them, iyswim.

We,ve got another problem this year. Ds' playmobil arrived and the box is HUGE! There is nothing we could get for dd the equivalent size, so we have decided to make it a joint present which might be a bit mean but can,t think what else to do.

I don't yet. I spend a lot of time/effort choosing the right gifts and the DCs/DSCs don't all necessarily have the same amount or total spend.

We always mix the presents up around the tree and pass them out individually in random order.

Riven, you do more every day for DD than any of us do put together, I think she knows she's loved without the landfill tat.

Riven does she like music? Maybe a CD (you can make it cheaply from iTunes) of music that makes her smile/happy?

But agree with mamatomany

Mine always get clothes or things they need when I run out of inspiration.

This particularly happens with dh (more through funds running out than his disability), so he ends up with wrapped up cheap moisturiser, shampoo and socks.

Dd would be delighted with any such present 'fillers', ds would be full of disdain