Bought DCs too many gifts, feel silly - what should I hold back and then when to give it?!

[EggsOvaryZee]

Adore Xmas so have been buying throughout the year. This isn't another 'look how much I've spent' thread or SB, but a genuine worry that now I've got way too much esp since they will be getting gifts from GP - I wanted to ask GP for something other than 'toys' - (swimming lessons etc...) but felt too bad, but prob will do next year.

So, I have a 4 and 2.5 yr old and they have about 25 things each to open - this includes stocking fillers etc...not one gift cost over £7. They also have about 6 'joint' gifts (bath crayons, crazy foam etc...). I haven't started a 'tradition' yet of a 'main' present though I might next year. Prob will do a 2 gifts only: 1 from Santa and 1 from us.

Thing is now - I truly am freaking out that they will not appreciate stuff so am thinking of holding some back.....but then when do I give them out?!

Didn't so crazy last year cos they were smaller...

Rainy days? Easter? The 4 yr olds b-day is next week (20th) so he's gonna have way too much anyway....not sure if things could keep til next year, lots is age app - puzzles, books, DVDs (he's into something now but might not be by next year!) etc...

Also, mainly worried that if I give random gifts 'whenever' - will they then come to expect that?!

Any ideas of what you'd do?
Words of wisdom welcomed....

Lots of charities are collecting presents this time of year, for kids who might otherwise get very little? Could you maybe divert a few their way?

Otherwise I would save one each for Easter / holidays and take a few bits & bobs back to the shops.

Hold some back for birthday presents when invited to parties? Always useful to have a bag of reasonably age-appropriate small gifts...

Id give them em all and watch the glee when they see them

Agree with NightLark, or save for surprise gifts when they have been unusually good.

If nothing cost over £7, then I don't think you have too much. I'd much rather "spoil" my children one day a year than keep some back & get them used to expecting random presents throughout the year.

I would hold back a few of the smaller things for special presents, is 2.5yr old TT yet? I found little wrapped parcels a great incentive for doing No2's on the potty! Otherwise I'd hold back the items that may suit at birthday. Tho personally it doesnt sound to me if you've gone overboard... maybe my Mother is right and I reeeeeeeeeeeeeally need to cut back on the presents - just because I find bargains doesnt mean the kids need / will appreciate etc etc etc. Next year I'm going to be sensible... I swear ;)

put a load back for the stockings next year. honestly, you will be so happy you have a head start.

I've done this so putting some away for birthdays which are march may and June.
Well thats the plan but I love seeing how happy they get over presents so I don't know if I'll be able to stick to it!

Stuff stockings with smallest items.
Choose 3 best of others for main opening.
Divide remainder into:
Birthday present reserves
Charity shop donations (especially the most age-specific items).

I'd give then all too

Sorry but I'd also be tempted to give them all too . I like my dcs to have lots of little parcels to open

I have got around 28 presents each for my 2 dd nearly 8 and 10 and about another 8 to share between them and that doesn't include their stocking.

I love to see their faces when they open them. I don't think its a lot as its also their birthday on the 19th and 24th Dec. They are so small things like CD, slippers and other are bigger things that cost around £15 - £20 like PJ, duvet sets, Electronic dictinary, deluxe charm bracelet kits, etc.

The things they will be sharing are mainly boxed games but also Harry Potter Lego Bus and the big castle. Have also got them an early present already of a computer which they will share. (They both forfeitted their birthday parties for the computer).

It's not that much as they are really good throughout the year, hardly ever ask for things for me to buy and they both work so hard and listen to me most of the times.

It's only Christmas and I think they deserve it.

I went totally overboard too. It's all stuff they will love. They will be 5 and 3 in summer.

From new year we will be a lot stricter so this is the last big blowout IYSWIM, we've kind of thought "aaaah fuck it" and are giving it all.

I do give a lot to charity (not just Stuff, but a lot of time too) so I'm not being selfish I hope... :)

Why not give them all, buy make a rule that they each have to choose or or two things to give to a children's charity? We plan ti start doing it with DD to encourage her in thinking that she is very lucky, and that some children don't have such a lovely time at Christmas.

but make a rule, sorry

oh just let them open them all!

Let them open them through the day rather than all in one go. Have one set 'hidden' so that if they go into present overload they don't need to be opened, but equally if you want to fill some time up the pile can be found.

I'd just let them open them all (but make a mental note not to go so OTT next year!!).

I've got loads too but what I tend to do is when he's opened them all the "not so interesting" ones like crafty bits, puzzles and so on I put away and them bring them
Out throughout the year on rainy days when he's bored. He hardly ever remembers opening them so it works for now. I couldn't so it with his Ben 10 or anything like that though.

Oh gosh, it's Christmas ... I also say let them open them and enjoy seeing their little faces light up. They won't be this small for long!!

You could also put a few of the cheaper things aside that your DC could give as birthdays presents if they are invited to any parties throughout the year. Always handy to have a few 'emergency' gifts on hand!

I went overboard also but ds is 5 in February so putting some stuff towards that and I also got alot of lego in the sainsburys toy sale so putting most of that away for next year.

I'd also give them all