Bit worried we've bought too much!

[TheExcitablePrawn]

Having looked at several threads where people only seem to do a stocking and a couple of presents (out of choice, not because of finances), I'm a bit worried we've gone overboard with our DCs!

They have several toys that they've requested, plus we've got them books, DVDs, puzzles etc. It seems loads but we don't tend to buy them really any toys the rest of the year. Stockings a mixture of 'useful' stuff and little bits I know they'll like.

I guess I just love Christmas and remember the excitement of coming downstairs when I was (a very lucky) child and seeing a huge pile of presents! I always appreciated everything so don't always think lots of presents makes a spoilt brat.

Is there anyone else like me on here? Are we ruining our DCs?I seem to be in the minority!

MNs mantra is anything more than an orange and chocolate coins equals a spolit child. It is amazing how many people see christmas differently. Some buy second hand, some buy essentials like toothpaste and some just do one present.

Im definately in the OTT camp, thankfully now DS is 10 presents are smaller and take up less room as really struggled some years to find homes for it all. DS appreciates everything and thats all that counts. We dont tend to do clothes or essentials as those are just bought as and when so its all fun items. We dont go into debt, drink or smoke and can spend our income as we see fit.

Oh i'm so pleased there are others out there and their DCs haven't turned into monsters! As I said, mine are tiny still and it's only really DS that will 'get' Christmas this year, and he's so excited. I will probably put some presents upstairs out of the way initially, but they can then be brought out as and when.

I had just never realised before that some people hardly buy anything for their DCs, even if they can afford it so was starting to think that I was being ridiculous buying so much stuff.

I do also want them to know the true meaning of Christmas (we will go to a family service on Christmas Eve), and when they are older I'd like them to sort out old toys in the run up to Christmas, and give them to children who might not be as lucky as them.

Oh god, now you lot are making me twitch- I have FINISHED my Christmas shopping FFS!

My children have lots to open as I do love the wonder of Christmas but I haven't spent a fortune.

Birthdays to me are more important and as it's their own special day we celebrate and spoil to the point of excess!

I am in the same camp as you op we buy loads at Christmas for our 3dds they have ahuge amounts. but to be honest it'sthe same every year.

and every year we feel it's not enough so we buy more the week before Christmas.

we ended up spending £600 yesterday decorating dd 1&2 bedroom with new wardrobeand drawers too as a extra surprise.

I don't understand the competitive small piles of 'well thought out' presents on mn all 35+ of our dds are well thoughtout and are not plastic tat or pencils, socks or other little things others love to compete over.

as you said though each to their own and as long as the dcs are happy that's all that matters.

another spoiler here all 3 of my dcs have large present piles i also am guilty of spoiling on birthdays

My DD has absolutely loads for her birthday, massive piles at Christmas, has been out to do something fun almost every day in December (circus, zoo, panto, Peppa pig, Christmas shows, cinema), has ridiculously large birthday parties I spend months organising and usually has a day out at least once a week and new toys every time we go shopping.

I'll do the same with DD2, most likely.

It's fun to spoil your children, especially when they're young. And it's what Christmas is for!

So so much completion on here to be the biggest scrooge. I don't get it.

I think we have probably spent too much. But we don't buy toys throughout the year and only give one or two presents on birthdays.

Kids have a new bike, helmet and then a sack from Santa including useful stuff like pants and bubble bath and toys like playmobil and barbies. It all balances out.

We are very lucky and the children are lucky that we have a big family who are generous.

Same here - I go mad.

I love to see his face when he comes down stairs and see's all his presents. He asked for 5 things - scooter, FIFA 2014 and some magic games. At last count, I had wrapped 45 presents and a small stocking.

He is a really well behaved and well mannered 8 year old, who doesn't get bought much through out the year and knows that when I say no, then I mean no. He rarely asks for anything. He saves up his own pocket money to buy football kits and sometimes will buy himself a pack of match attacks.

I am not bothered what other people think. Yes, I do spoil him, but I work hard and can afford it. It's once a year, so I just go for it.

I refuse to count but I have gone totally overboard too. DH and I have been struggling financially for a while and in the course of this last year our income has more than doubled so we both went a little ott. I'm still trying to figure out how to wrap (and where to put!) the rocking horse I bought DD which turned up today in a massive box

Statiscially, maybe this helps:

Huge bag link

That's brilliant!

I have bought loads. I am keeping some back for the next birthday, but even so there is masses. There are lots of presents for the birthday and we buy during the year too.

I don't give a fuckin shit and don't feel the need to justify .

I am spreading the xmas presents out over a few days, different themes on different days. I did this last year & it worked really well.

Merry Christmas Everyone .

DS will have a huge pile here, but I don't think we're ruining him. Like others on this thread, we don't go overboard at birthdays, nor does he get presents throughout the year. He does get presents from family, but not 'big' things or over the top.

I'm quite confident that he'll get good play value from all that we've bought.

How many presents are under the tree don't indicate whether a child is spoiled; there's loads of other factors to take into account. I wouldn't worry what other people do too much OP - if you're happy with what you've got, you teach your DC to appreciate what they get and you haven't racked up a load of debt to pay for it, just enjoy Christmas Day and seeing the faces light up .