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Christmas

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Original poster

It's not really too much, is it?

37 replies

winnybella · 09/11/2011 13:50

DD will be 2.11 by Christmas. I got her a Corolle doll (that comes with a potty and pees on it- trying to gently persuade DD to do the same).

Then I got a bit carried away and as the doll comes dressed in only a vest and underwear, I got 2 sets of clothes and also a medical kit (Corolle as well) for the doll so a syringe, stethoscope etc).

This will be the main gift, I'll get her a few Mog and Kipper books and she'll have a modest stocking as well.

DP says that we should keep the clothes and medical kit for her birthday which is a month later as it's too many things or rather too expensive (it wasn't cheap, truth to be told).

She'll get other gifts from the family as well (but probably not lots).

Btw I realize that it's not a very important question Grin, just wondering what others think.

OP posts:
bunnyspoiler · 09/11/2011 13:53

I think that's fine, not too much at all.

ObiWan · 09/11/2011 14:37

If your DD is getting things from others as well i think it would be nice to keep one set of dolls clothes and the medical kit until her birthday.

If only because will reignite her interest in the doll if it should have fallen by the wayside a bit Grin.

PeggyCarter · 09/11/2011 14:40

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Original poster
winnybella · 09/11/2011 14:43

Really? One set is just a pair of pyjamas actually and the other is a little vest, trousers, 2 hats and socks iirc, so not a massive amount.

Hmm.

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HappyAsEyeAm · 09/11/2011 14:43

Honestly, if you can afford it, and think your DD will like it, then of course its ok.

I buy lots for our DS (3.11 yo) for Christmas and birthday too. I mean that, by DH's standards, I buy lots. I don't think I buy lots at all as I know that we can afford it and I know how much pleasure he will get out of the things I choose. I don't by any stretch buy him absolutely everything - I chosse carefully what I think he will like and what I think he'll get the most play and value out of. His birthday is in January too, so I am always thinking ahead for the year, as thais is our opportunity to suggest presents to others that will last 12 months!

I have bought about £200 worth of Christmas things, and about £100 of birthday things for him. This includes everything in his stocking.

I know that other people will spend less than this. I know that other people will spend more. But it comes down to your choices and what you can afford. I think you've chosen lovely things and that your DD will really enjoy them.

Original poster
winnybella · 09/11/2011 14:58

Thanks, HappyAsEyeAm. I think she will love the doll-it will be her first proper doll, so I might have gotten a bit sentimental about it and got too much stuff Grin.

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PeggyCarter · 09/11/2011 15:00

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Binfullofmaggotsonthe45 · 09/11/2011 15:33

To me, totally depends on how many other gifts she will get - GP's, Uncles etc. DS has no real extended family so all gifts come from us. I nthat case it wouldn't be loads.

Also, how Christmas day works in your house...you'll find she'll just want ot play with the first things she opens for a while. So if you are opening things throughout the day, why not just see how it goes? You can always wrap them in neutral paper and just save them for her birthday if she doesn't get round to all the clothes and medical set can't you?

If she does open them all, there is bound to be a huge sale in the NY, as most retailers are struggling.

olibeansmummy · 09/11/2011 15:38

Not too much at all :) if the doll doesnt come with clothes, she'll (your dd mot the doll) want some and the potty is for a purpose. You could keep the drs set for her bday I guess. Also books don't count as you can never have too many books :)

WhatWouldLeoDo · 09/11/2011 16:32

I don't think that's too much at all. In fact, I'd throw in a jigsaw and an orchard toys game too. And maybe a dvd of a nice film. Wink (Unless she gets toys/games/jigsaws etc between birthdays and christmas).

I have a very similar approach to HappyAsEyeAm's approach to Christmas.

mjinprechristmasfrenzy · 09/11/2011 16:39

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mjinprechristmasfrenzy · 09/11/2011 16:41

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Original poster
winnybella · 09/11/2011 17:35

WhatWouldLeoDo- she will have Dumbo dvd in her stocking, together with some stickers, Playmobile figure,hairbands, bobbles and slides and chocolate Santa, satsumas etc. Also will stick a toothbrush and socks in.

I really want to buy her a large puzzle as she loves them but that would be going OTT, perhaps Hmm

OP posts:
groovejet · 09/11/2011 19:27

It doesn't sound a huge amount in quantity only 5 things including books.

I would keep the clothes back mainly as said above if she loses interest in the doll which kids are prone to do having some new accesories would make it exciting again for her.

If you saved the clothes for her birthday then you could get a large jigsaw, dd2 had at that age a lovely large melissa and doug one (£10 max if I recall) then she has a nice mix of things as well instead of all doll related items.

leftmydignityatthedoor · 09/11/2011 19:33

Imo if you can afford it, have room and she doesn't have an 'I want, I get' attitude then get her whatever you want.

I'm not listing what I've got ds and dd because its more than that though ds's birthday is at xmas time too.

I don't care, we spoil them at christmas and why not? They're only little once. ¥

If you were getting into debt I'd say get a grip but you're not so no harm done.

Ps get her the puzzle!!

WhatWouldLeoDo · 10/11/2011 11:56

I'm with leftmydignityatthedoor - it doesn't sound excessive at all and I'd get the puzzle too Grin

ThingsThatGoFlumpInTheNight · 10/11/2011 14:05

I am like Happy too. I spend a similar amount on each of mine - which seems to shock some people. But we don't get in debt for it; we can afford it, and I give it a lot of thought and only buy things they will really enjoy and get plenty of use out of - not a load of tat.

As a child it was so exciting coming down in the morning to find a huge pile of presents under the tree - so now I want that as part of Christmas for my children. IMO there's nothing wrong with that. Yes inevitably there end up being lots of presents from one or two years ago which don't get played with anymore and take up too much space - but those all get packed off to the charity shops, so everyone benefits.

Buy the puzzle!

mjinprechristmasfrenzy · 10/11/2011 14:50

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Dee03 · 10/11/2011 14:54

I would give it all to her to be honest...it's Christmas Smile

Ismeyes · 10/11/2011 16:58

I agree, give it all to her and get her the puzzle. If you can afford it then why not? Children are not spoilt through a lot of presents, they get spoilt when they are not taught gratitude, good manners and to think of others at christmas.

Competitive worthy scrooginess makes me feel quite queasy. The 'I've bought them a satsuma and they WILL be grateful' feels controlling and restrictive.

sunnyday123 · 10/11/2011 20:05

im like some of the others -dds are 4 and 6 and at that age i used to get loads of presents and want the same for my dds even though they get TONS from family - i would feel disappointed if i got them less than 20 each although not all are expensive and some are 'practical' like slippers, pjs and replacement art/crafts - i dont buy in the year and i want them to come down stairs and be shocked! Like it was said above, its different if they expect it or if you cant afford it but i'm not into the new trend of seeing who can buy the least on some threads i've read. As adults we treat ourselves during the year so why not treat our kids (if you can afford it that is)

Original poster
winnybella · 10/11/2011 23:05

Thank you all for your opinions: I'm glad they tend to agree with my pov, not DP's Grin I will get her a jigsaw as well.

Now what do I do about DS who wants to get the most expensive Star Wars Lego set? Hmm I could get it, but then he won't get much else, so just one major gift plus a couple of books?

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WhatWouldLeoDo · 10/11/2011 23:20

Oh, get him a jigsaw as well Grin

How old is DS? If you're concerned about the number of presents being the same you could always wrap up some things you'd buy anyway e.g PJ's etc?

Original poster
winnybella · 10/11/2011 23:33

Ds is almost 10 and would not enjoy a jigsaw (strange child).

Not concerned with the same number of presents as such, more that it's always nice to have a few gifts to open, isn't it? Even if they are nothing expensive.

Tbh I don't know what else to buy him. A couple of books. Maybe a DVD? Not sure what movies are good for 10yo boys. He has seen most of the Narnia etc that have come out in recent years. I would love to buy him a Call of the Wild or similar but he's a modern urban child Hmm and I'm not sure he would appreciate it.

I thought PJs in the stocking, no? Not under the tree. Oh, I'll think of something.

And most importantly, how do I make sure he does not tell his little sister that Santa doesn't exist?

OP posts:
KatharineClifton · 11/11/2011 00:34

I think at ten one large gift is fine. As long as he understands the value of the large gift.