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....

I'm not sure about being overwhelmed by gifts, but they do get into the mentality of:
a) throwing a gift aside to open the next one and not taking the time to appreciate that gift (even if they will later). The whole point of the present is that you open it and think, "Wow" or "Cool", NOT "Where's the next one?"
b) They can get greedy and keep asking, "I want another one" when there is a big pile beside them already. That is something I really can't stand. I'd rather buy one present (other than their stocking) than have that "entitlement" to tons of gifts.

My (much wealthier than me) friend said her DD got tired of opening presents. To be fair though she had about 50!

I agree merry marigold. I really don't want that for my DCs. We have always had the rule that presents are handed out one at a time, alternating between people, so only one is being opened at a time, and we all look at it before getting the next one from under the tree.

I will be on watch for greedy-entitled-madamness though - DD has been a bit Cheeky lately.

We got some unexpected money from a couple of people - who both said 'spend it however you want' as opposed to 'you need to buy something for X' - so we are instead labelling something we've already bought as being from them IYSWIM. Eg I'm choosing something in the pile to be from my nan, so that's 2 presents saved for boxing day when my family visit :)

Going straight onto the next gift is normal excitement isn't it? When you've been looking forward to seeing what's under the paper for however long? I think most kids can think 'wow' and 'where's the next one?' without much space inbetween! And most kids have their favourite presents that they play with more however many they get. Some will always take more of a back seat. Just getting one gift doesn't guarantee it will be liked/played with as much as you had hoped.
Despite my parents not being well off I always had a massive pile at Christmas and it had such a wow factor. Opening it all was half the fun.

Went through all gifts over wend. Have decided to give a big pile but also to give a present one day a week all week...why not?! And on two of those days, esp New years Day they'll open a joint present each - try and stick in a nice lesson about starting the year sharing etc...

This has limited the pile and I feel a bit better about it. Taken on board putting aside the bath crayons/puzzles/presents for my benefit not theirs for rainy days/nightmare days! Also asked my mum to hold back on a few that we can give 2.5 yr old when she turns 3 round Easter. Also will give DS an 'Easter' present. DS will be 4 tomorrow and I'm giving 4 presents - one for each yr of his age...

Really might have to rethink next year. It is that thing though of being so excited when you see something they'll love and imaginign them opening it etc...I'm now dreading the fact that for 3 days straight DS has been banging on about Buzz Lightyear 2...when that is so not on his list!

What do other people do? Lots of presents or a 'main' one?!

I think I have bought too much. They have less than 25 presents each but it still seems too much.

If you have bought 25 little gifts it might not be as much as it seems. Ds's stocking probably holds around 15.

Eggs they always seem to pick something right at the last minute that has never been mentioned before! I'm trying to brainwash my DS to wanting what he's got . That's not to say I wasn't panic buying bits online yesterday... I have spent LOADS though, so I am not an example to follow. However, I remain unapologetic for it - each to their own. Our tradition is Santa brings lots, and lots they shall have. I am just thankful that I am in a position to be able to do it.

Plus it always seems like loads, but once you do away with packaging, it is considerably less.

I also do a massive charity clear-out beforehand so I have space for it. For example, I took all of DS's ELC Happy Land toys down to the children's cancer ward where DD has been treated this year. They need toys in good condition that can be wiped down to ensure they can't spread infection.

Ponty, we do that too! Then everyone can 'ooh' and 'ahhh' over everyone else's gifts too.

We have FC stockings in morning (well, pillowcases!). They get about 10 presents ranging from £1-10 (inc a toothbrush and some pants!) to one that is around £15 in their stocking. Then one 'big' present from us, their Mum and Dad. This year, Dd has a hairdryer and a pretty brush, ds1 a remote control monster truck and ds2 has a balance bike.

We then have 1 big present before lunch - they can choose from under the tree, which is usually the biggest size wise!

Then we have the rest after lunch. It spreads it out over the day so you don't get this big, flat moment. They also get to play with what they get for a bit before 'moving on'.

Sorry havent read the other responses. I would hold back on a few definately. Maybe give them one each day/other day until the end of the school holidays (assuming 4.5yr old is in school) I'm also saving some for new year as we're going over to a friends house overnight and I dont want them to get bored if we can't go out. I've tried really hard to keep it down this year, because they just arent interested in anything over 3 or 4 presents (if they are presents they like!!) My 2 year old isnt interested in presents at all really, just wrapping.

I'd like to spread the presents throughout the day, I think. I can't even remember what they have in half of the packages now