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Christmas

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Original poster

If you were a 5yr old girl, would you be disappointed with this?

33 replies

BebeBelge · 12/11/2013 01:35

So, if you were a 5 yr old girl, would you be disappointed come Christmas morning with the following:

From Santa:
2 books (The Worst Witch & Disney Fairies Annual)
DVD (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs)
small Rainbow Dash soft toy
a Toy Story game for her Explorer Leapfrog thingy
Playmobil Park
stocking full of random tat (choc coins, toothbrush, stickers, colouring book etc.)

from Mummy & Daddy to share with 2 younger brothers:
Wooden kitchen, pots & pans, play food etc.

A friend of mine expressed surprise that she was getting so few presents! Now I'm doubting myself and really cross with my friend!
I could spend more but have 2 other kids and would rather not. Surely, this is a respectable haul, no?? Am I being stingy??

Any thoughts?

OP posts:
ChippingInLovesAutumn · 12/11/2013 01:42

It sounds perfectly fine to me. It's a lot more than some will get and a lot less than others will get - it really doesn't matter, there is no 'norm'.

There's a good variety in there and plenty to play with :)

FWIW your friend is being a showy twat.

SmallBee · 12/11/2013 01:52

That sounds pretty awesome to me! When we were kids we got
1 stocking
1 present from Santa
1 present from Mum & Dad

& that's all my DDs going to be getting once she's old enough (she's only 4 weeks at the moment). Especially knowing how much her family (huge on both sides) will spoil her!

Original poster
BebeBelge · 12/11/2013 02:06

Thanks guys! I don't know why I feel the need to turn to the internet to reassure myself, but, hey ho, I do! it is definitely a heck of a lot more than I got when I was little and whilst I remember envy at friends presents I think it was when I was older/ a teenager and not at 5!

And yes, my 'friend' is a showy twat! my budget for 3 kids is £230 and she was almost disgusted! She is spending £££££££ and feels sorry for my kids!!

OP posts:
AnythingNotEverything · 12/11/2013 02:06

It depends on what she's used to. Each family does Christmas and birthdays differently. My DH is also surprised that my DS get skier than a football for his birthday, as that's how birthdays were celebrated when he was growing up. That makes me sad!

Original poster
BebeBelge · 12/11/2013 02:08

Should add that the Santa presents, apart from the Playmobil Park will be inside the stocking too (chosen for their size as much as anything!) so at first glance it might not look like a lot as they are mostly small items.

OP posts:
ChubbyKitty · 12/11/2013 03:18

Seems pretty good to me! When I was little it was a stocking from Santa, big present from parents, then little presents from the cats. (Not a typo...Grin)

These days I use my cat as an excuse to get DP extra little presents. Socks, phone cases...little bits.

normaleggy · 12/11/2013 06:48

Of ask Father Christmas for a new friend if I were you..

normaleggy · 12/11/2013 06:49

*I'd

NorthernShores · 12/11/2013 06:54

Its more than my daughter will get. It looks a lovely selection of things. Can't think why anyone would think otherwise.

3bunnies · 12/11/2013 07:02

It sounds fine to me - I tend to work on a rough budget of £100 per child - less if I can get away with it - my oldest is about 4yrs older than yours. It is all about priorities and for us we would rather spend the money on other things too like holidays and extra curricular activities.

Many children will have half the amount you have spent and still have a lovely time. Christmas isn't just about the presents. Maybe start introducing choosing a present to give to someone who won't otherwise get anything, help the dc to see that others have less than them. I probably wouldn't put too much energy into the relationship with the showy twat as often that attitude rubs off on their children too. It's not about the money she has spent - more about her attitude to things and to you.

headoverheels · 12/11/2013 07:05

My 6yo DD would be pleased with that list. In fact I'm going to use it to steal ideas from!

MrsS1980 · 12/11/2013 07:11

We got one big present and loads of bits. Maybe 50 presents? But the bits would include toothbrush, mini toiletries, crayons, chocolate money etc. Tiny, cheap multibuy type things. Mum didn't spend a fortune but they took us all morning to open. My Dh would rather have 2 big presents - I'm all about the bits!!!
She will be delighted because that is how you do Christmas in your home and that is what counts!

Flossiechops · 12/11/2013 07:14

It sounds fine - my kids get way too much but it's down to have 3 sets of grandparents and 5 sets of uncles/aunts. I would have loved to have kept presents low key but they all insist on buying them tons of crap gifts.

Flossiechops · 12/11/2013 07:15

Yy Mrs I love the crap too Smile

overmydeadbody · 12/11/2013 07:16

Ignore your friend. In fact, why did you even tell her? I am always vague when people ask me what I am getting DS or how much I am spending on him.

Every family does Christmas differently, there is no one 'right' amount of presents.

stickysausages · 12/11/2013 07:23

Sounds perfect Grin

Your kids will grow up to value things, even when we could afford to, I didn't go mad, we have one child & spend about £100 tops.

ZenNudist · 12/11/2013 07:30

Sounds great. I bet you her spoilt kids will grow up to not appreciate everything!

Unless you are loaded then it makes no sense to have massive blow out at Christmas. Need to be able to afford days out, holidays, save money for education so they can afford to spend big on your grand kids in future Smile

Is your friend significantly better off than you? Is she always an arse?

girlsyearapart · 12/11/2013 07:31

Sounds fine to me.

I think they all get overwhelmed at Christmas with presents from family & friends later in the day that the stocking is the best bit.

I have got my 5yo a collection of dolly stuff which was down to £32 with another 20% off plus stocking fillers.

The 6yo has a cabbage patch doll & a crayola set.

Same 6yo friend is getting a mini iPad Hmm people are different Hmm

Anja1Cam · 12/11/2013 07:31

Sounds fine to me too. You know her best. Your list is comparable to mine. I have not set a budget per se, but we always keep big ticket items to one or none. I do keep a list as I start putting things away from summer onwards, just to make sure it's vaguely balanced between both DDs, but not necessarily in strict monetary terms.

Never let other people tell you what's right for your family. Presumably the friend then launched into a detailed listing of her presents, in great financial detail? It's clearly her way of showing off.

Wineandchoccy · 12/11/2013 07:35

Sounds great to me Smile

Do they have Grandparents, Aunties, Uncles and Godparents who buy as well because if so they will get more from them as well.

My brother is 11 years older than me but we used to get a pillowcase with bits, a few items that wouldn't fit, a main present and 1 to share which was usually a board game or we got Wilkie talkies one year which we loved!!

Wineandchoccy · 12/11/2013 07:36

Umm they would have been WALKIE talkies! Grin

unlucky83 · 12/11/2013 07:52

My advice would be not to get too many presents ...you are setting yourself to do the same every year -and for the younger ones it will be a struggle...what you describe sounds more than enough...
My DD1 had one present (bought from Tesco on Christmas Eve) for her first Christmas (10 months) - on the 5th Dec we had bought a restaurant, refurbished and opened on the 15th ...chaos - there is a picture of her with said present next to a big bag of tea bags etc etc from Cash & Carry...no tree, no decorations...
For her second Christmas lots and lots of (guilt) presents ...things that I would have bought her anyway -like an easel - I mean a massive pile - took all day to open...
Now she expects a big pile ...at 12 (no longer believing but pretense kept up for younger DD) and wanting expensive presents (phones, tablets etc) - she gets things like pants, PJs, dressing gown, books, annuals...still she gets a lot spent on her. Also I can think of things for her easily ...
Poor DD2 has all DD1s cast offs - (used to get them reboxed etc but at 6 now can't get away with it she remembers them) -doesn't really need anything that we don't already have ...really struggle to think of things to get her...Sad

ATouchNervous · 12/11/2013 07:52

My DD is 4.5 and would be thrilled with that stash of presents. FWIW we have a wooden kitchen,pots, pans etc and it is one of our most played with toys. I bet she will love it.

MrsMangoBiscuit · 12/11/2013 07:53

At 5 I would have been thrilled with just the list from Santa, then I saw the wooden kitchen too, I'd have been made up!

4yo DD1 will be getting a stocking from Santa, a trampoline (to share with DD2), a lego set, and a big cuddly dragon, from us. I'll probably get her some clothes too as she needs a few bits and she's always really pleased with new clothes. (I hated getting new clothes!)

Sounds like your daughter will have a good haul, and that your friend has a bit of a skewed view of what Christmas should be.

milk · 12/11/2013 08:08

If this was me, I'd finish it off with a personalised cooking apron.