I've finished!! i'm sharing my lists, come share yours!!

[howardbear]

ok so we've normally got a 'what have you got' kind of a thread going on, and I haven't seen anything yet so I thought I'd start one as I find them really interesting (and in case I've missed anything obvious). DISCLAIMER...I am not bragging, or asking if ive got enough, I'm happy with my lists and wanted to share and see if anyone else would like to share theirs!

ok so here goes:-

DS 1 (4.11)
ker-plunk
operation
frustration
guess who
cluedo junior
monopoly junior
connect 4
blo pens
leapband thing
vetch pocket computer
vetch write letters tablet thing
2 usbourne see inside books
3 roald dahl colour edition books (the bigger ones to introduce chapter reading)
hex bugs set
pull apart olaf
rollerskates
remote control lightning mqueen and dusty
Disney dvds (tangled, Aladdin, lion king, beauty and the beast, aristocats, little mermaid, dumbo, cars, monsters inc, ratatouille, tarzan, fox and the hound, incredibles, robin hood, lilo and stitch)

in his santa sack is:-
elc happyland rocket
accordion
recorder
art case and usbourne doodle book
Stephen and spencer Thomas die-cast trains
small transformer toy

DS 2 (2.1)
keyboard and stool
playdoh table and playdoh
vetch my first tablet
vetch magnet letter spelling thing
peppa pig sound book
ben and holly sound book
Melissa and doug latch board
pirate cruncher books
my friend scout
puzzles
Disney cars die-cast
peppa pig books in carry bag
toot toot parking tower
elc cupcake stroller and dolly

in his santa sack:-
mr tumble teddy
mr tumble tablet
cookie monster counting toy
Crayola twistables case
Crayola marker pens case
colouring book

I cant wait to see they're faces on Christmas morning!

We are flying to visit family for Christmas; I have to get things that aren't too heavy or bulky and ideally that will keep the DC occupied on the journey home too.

They will each get books, activity books and pens, card or travel games, play-dough, a small cuddly toy, christmassy pyjamas and an outfit for Christmas day. And chocolate and sweets and fruit.

I am considering getting a bulky present and secretly leaving it in the fireplace at home to be discovered when we get home after Christmas

It's lovely to treat your / other children at Christmas. I also love shopping and seeking out things they and I will love to play with. It's also kind and generous to recognise those who are less fortunate a give charitably at Christmas and any other time (one doesn't offset the other).

And, like most on this thread I'm enjoying getting inspiration from you lists now and for future years. I also acknowledge that many posters have reflected on their own childhoods / being SAHM / well behaved children to justify the 'size' of lists.

It strikes me when reading several poster's defences that nobody is attacking those who are posting long lists but are surprised and curious. I don't think my surprise is about spend either. My surprise is about what to me looks like excess in the extreme, and the potential to be a bit pile-in / smash and grab on Christmas Day.

I adore christmas, family time and gift giving and love to loiter in the Christmas threads, but I'm genuinely surprised to be in the minority opinion to be aghast at some lists. I think because our children had vast amounts of lovely gifts last year (which were still honestly nowhere near these lists here.) We took DAYS to get through opening everything as the kids took time to open and we wanted them to look and enjoy and be grateful for each and every gift. Many, like yours, were put away for later in the year. Gifts from us and I presume others are chosen thoughtfully, and money is respected. At the end of Christmas Day with barely a dent in the pile, I felt embarrassed and glutenous for the over indulgence that was giving a lesson in materialism to my kids. They were over the moon at opening their first couple of gifts and it 'just being Christmas.'

Really, nobody reading this thead feels even a little like this?

Christmas gifts are toys for the year. My kids get little from family and only one gift at birthdays. I don't buy for them throughout the year. I love buying them lots of gifts at Christmas and love seeing them open them. Most of these have been bought in the sale. I am not sure why there seems to be so much criticism. I don't know any child who only gets one or two toys at Christmas. Everyone should enjoy Christmas their way.

DS1 (7)
Terraria for Xbox
Lego Ninjago set
Lego Creator set
Minecraft hoodie & beanie
Slushy maker
Harry Potter DVD
Books x 4
Bananagrams game
Selection box

DS2 (5)
Trash Pack sewer truck
Lego Chima set
Lego Creator set
Minecraft hoodie & beanie
Slushy maker
How to train your dragon 2 DVD
Books x 4
Magic Cauldron game
Selection box

Plus stockings: minecraft plush, annual, choc coins, felt tip pens, sticker book, Lego mixel, tube of jelly tots

It is plenty (though much less than some here) but they do not get much from rellies (just a small something from GPs) or during the year (their bdays are in spring so it's been a long time since any new Lego sets!). I budget carefully and shop early, use Clubcard vouchers, Argos deals etc. we are lucky to be able to afford presents for them, I grew up in a poor household but never felt like we went without at Xmas. In years when DH and I have been poorer we have simply spent less and would do so again if need be. The kids are not spoiled or entitled at all.

Nobody should be made to feel that they have to justify how much they have bought their children. Whether it be a tonne or a few.

Different strokes for different folks.

DS (18)

some booze

Happyfrogger has articulated better what I wanted to say.
Honestly- I don't mind at all what people spend on their kids for Christmas. We choose to spend more on other things. Each to their own.

No Happyfrogger, I'm totally with you. The quantity of presents my children receive makes me a little uncomfortable - and it's much smaller than many/most here. I don't disapprove - other people can do what they want, obviously - but I am surprised that this is what people enjoy doing, as it's so different from what I enjoy and you tend to assume other people aren't that different.

I would carefully choose one DVD, one board game, one doll. I'll stretch to three books. It would not occur to me to just say 'what the heck, I can't choose, I'll just get them all'. To me it's just not nice to have so much stuff to wade through that either it dominates the whole day, or insufficient time is taken to appreciate the choice, or it drags on for days. And surely with that many gifts those are the only options?

It's nothing to do with not overspending. We earn nearly £200K a year and could easily afford to spend more. Just the opposite - it's actually to do with finding maximum pleasure! It's very interesting to see that the number of gifts that gives me and my family maximum pleasure is so different from some others.

Why judge at all though? Why care? Or be aghast? If you told me you were getting your kids a £5 token present and nothing else, I wouldn't care! That's your Christmas, to do the way you see fit. I wouldn't be horrified, I just wouldn't have an opinion.

I donate to toy banks, have handed in advent calendars and selection boxes to local food bank. As well as a couple of food shops. My favourite part of Christmas will be spending time with my gran and grandad, watching crap TV and losing at monopoly. That doesn't mean I can't spoil my DS the way I want to. That's my choice. I'm not "aghast" at people giving less. So everyone do it your way!

But you'd be surprised, yes? You'd think that was very different from your idea of a fun Christmas? You'd find it interesting that other people, who could afford to spend much more than £5 prefer not to?

I'm not horrified or aghast. Though I do like that word...aghast.

I suppose I've never had what you describe, mountains of stuff that takes days to open. My ds is only young but he stops and has a play with everything before moving on and is very appreciative. He looks longingly at stuff all year and takes a no pretty well. I think it depends on the child and your parenting year round as to how they take things, not just one day.

I would never go for more than I do (in fact I may keep some bits back for his birthday) as I know it would become more about the thrill of opening rather than the thing itself.

When it does become all about acquisition and nothing gets played with, I think it is stressful for the child in that case as they don't know how to deal with not getting things. There has to be balance of course, but there is always someone able to do more or less than you, and there isn't an inherent superiority in buying less.

To those whom are "aghast" and "shocked", I think it's time to get off your self-righteous high horse.

Happyfrogger - I agree.

When I was a kid, we each opened a present on Christmas Eve, had our stockings in the morning, then the presents were 'rationed' throughout the whole Christmas week until New Year!!! My parents really didn't like the whole 'rip everything open all at once' approach. I actually like the way they did it - it's (in my opinion, not judging anyone else here!!) good for kids to have a breather in between presents. I remember receiving a pair of pixie boots as my main present one year (I was delighted!) and I wore them to church on Christmas morning. A school friend had also received a pair and said to me 'What? That's your main present?? Mine were just a stocking present!'

DH on the other hand is definitely 'let rip' all at once. In all honesty, I find it a bit much and prefer the approach my own parents had. I also think I go overboard with present buying but (in my defence!!) I often remove some of the presents to keep for birthdays for my DC and other kids' birthdays.

That said, the list still looks long.......!

irregular your right, I would probably think something along those lines bit I would never comment on it. And other poster have used words like aghast (it is a good word!) and horrified! Why be horrified!? There's worse things in the world than an extravagant Christmas list!

missmargot I have just stolen all your ideas, love your gifts. If you want to to let me know next years choices about the end of November 2015 that would be most helpful

Im done and dusted 3 days. All ordered and bought.
DD (9y)
Littlest pet shop house
LPS 8 pack
LPS vehicle set
LPS bakery
Minecraft creeper
iTunes card
Slushie maker
OralB electric tooth brush
RR Russel Dork 8 books set
2015 diary
Will also have Lindt teddy/santa and some small bits like Stabilo and Sharpie pens etc to be added till Christmas in her stocking

DS (7y)
Lego Technic construction set
Lego Chima vulture
Lego Arctic helicrane
Lego Arctic outpost
Hexbug Nano Race set
Minecraft plushie
iTunes card
Slushie maker
OralB electric toothbrush
Lego battery pack
Will add Lindt bunny/santa and some small things like moshie monsters, a few more hexbugs etc to buy till Christmas in his stocking

DH
Expensive speciality whisky ordered from Scotland
Slippers
Bath robe
YSL Kouros
Philips shaver
Mobile phone holder for car

MIL
Boots no7 set
Cushion knitting kit
Gardening kneeler and gloves set

PIL
Car emergency kit
Winscreen cover and scraper set
Voucher from Aquatic shop

From children photos of children and box of Thornton continental chocs

Rest of the family
Went Boots got 3for2

Looking at my list, I'm not very creative with ideas/

Not sure what i will be getting :)

I just wanted to point out to anyone feeling shocked or judgy that many of these lists are misleading (including my own)! Written down 15-20 v small stocking fillers looks like a crazy amount of gifts but really my girls are only getting two biggish gifts each and they are only in the 30-50 pound range.

I'll post mine in case it might help someone with ideas. I love reading other people's lists, big or small

DD 9

Doctor Who framed poster
Art set
Block tower game (generic brand)
Doctor Who tardis eggcup
Doctor Who annual
Movie hamper
A smallish box filled with second hand books (got this idea from here)
Cool Facts book
Doctor Whooves pony
DIY dolls house kit
Friendship bracelet kit
Hair chalk kit
Finn (adventure time) hat
Science Experiments book

DD 3.8

Movie hamper
Ariel bubble wand
Art set
Plui cloud bath toy
Box of assorted original My Little Ponies that I picked up off Gumtree for $5
My Little Pony duvet set (also gumtree for $10)
Fishing game
Marble maze
Frozen cutlery, bowl, glitter cup and lunch bag
Li'l woodzeez cottage playset (cheaper version of Sylvanian Families)
Snakes and Ladders
My Little Pony t-shirt

I am not doing stockings this year as they are with their dad this Christmas. We will be having a mini second christmas when they get back to mine a few days later.

Shared:
Star Wars films 3, 4, 5
Luke Skywalker, Yoda, Darth Vader, Hans Solo costumes

DS1 (5)
Half size guitar
Pirate reading books
Light sabre
Batman sticker books

(family getting:
Star Wars Command Millennium Falcon kit
Transformer toy
Fleece onesie
Lego)

DS2 (5)
CD player
Robot reading books
Light Sabre
Superman sticker books

(family getting:
Star Wars Command Millennium Falcon kit
Transformer toy
Fleece onesie
Lego)

Stockings (same for both)
Star wars top trumps
Popping candy
Inflatable dinosaur
Choc orange
toothbrush
tic tacs
sweets
satsuma

DS3 (4 months)
Named hooded towel
Clothes 9-12 months
Shape sorter
Stacking cups

I feel a bit bad I haven't got more for the older two...... money is tight as I am on mat leave

CHRISTMAS EVE BOX ALL 4 KIDS

Christmas Onesies
Christmas slipper socks
Christmas snugly blanket
Christmas DVD
Christmas book each (Fairytale Hairdresser and Father Christmas for girls and Elmer meets Papa Red for boys)
Christmas Mug (for hot milk)
Chocolate melting block on spoon
ELC Happyland Christmas Playset for boys
Playmobil Christmas Set for girls

DD (nearly 10 yrs)

Boden fluffy hooded dressing gown
Boden bunny slippers
Playmobil Bakery
Chocolate Lolly Maker
Lalaloopsy Tinies Playhouse and extra figures
Zelf figure
Little Live Pet Bird
Nerf dart gun and extra darts

Stocking

Christmas loom bands
Lush bath bomb santa
Tatty bear purse
Boofle diary
Boofle desk calendar
Stick on earrings
Electric toothbrush
Impulse body spray
Flashing name badge
Doodle on your own pencilcase
Jellybean rudolf nose sweet tube
Magic flannel
Santa torch
Push pop sweet
Punch balloon (Santa)
Ring sweet
Clementine
Giant chocolate coin

DD2 6 yrs

Boden fluffy hooded dressing gown
Boden bunny slippers
Playmobil Hospital Clinic
Password Journal
Lalaloopsy Tinies Playhouse and extra figures
Zelf figure
Little Live Pet Bird
Nerf dart gun and extra darts

Stocking

Christmas loom bands
Lush bath bomb santa
Tatty bear purse
Boofle diary With lock
Stick on earrings
Electric toothbrush
Impulse body spray
Flashing name badge
Hello Kitty mini bag and lipgloss and mirror
Jellybean rudolf nose sweet tube
Magic flannel
Santa torch
Push pop sweet
Punch balloon (Santa)
Ring sweet
Clementine
Giant chocolate coin

DS 3 yrs

Buzz Lightyear (2nd hand)
Toy Story T Rex (2nd hand)
Buzz Lightyear Spaceship (2nd hand)
Pingu Igloo Playset and figures (2nd hand)
Nerf dart gun
Little Live Pet Bird

Stocking

Maisy Book Set (used)
Lush bath bomb robot
Buzz Lightyear flannel
Buzz Lightyear bubble bath
Lego Juniors Spider-Man set
Spider-Man electric toothbrush
Bouncy ball snow globe
Santa torch
Punch balloon (snowman)
Ring sweet
Push pop sweet
Clementine
Giant Chocolate coin

DS 1.5 yrs

Vtech Toot Toot Parking Tower
Vtech Toot Toot Animal Safari Treehouse
Vtech Large Fire Engine

Stocking

Vtech Toot Toot Animal Figures x3
Gruffalo slipper socks
Chocolate buttons
Clementine
Pocket library books
Singing Polar Bear
Soft Plush Igloo with 4 soft sounds animals Lush bath bomb teddy bear
Magic flannel
Mam Christmas dummies

DH

Playstation 4 and games

ME

Christmas Eve shopping spree in Joules!!

Oh, oh, oh
DF has just come to visit and has brought with him.....

A wooden rocking horse which he made himself! for Ds (2)

Well actually he origionally made it for me when I was little but he has brought it down from the loft, repainted it and added new hair, saddle and reins. It is a lovely thing. And it will make a massive, exciting parcel on Christmas day!

I am absolutely amazed by the lengths of the lists as well. It makes me realise how out of touch I am with the approach to kids' Christmas presents nowadays.

When I was a kid I could have listed from memory every gift I had received and I took delight in every single one of them. I can't imagine that being the case for kids who receive so many substantial gifts from their parents alone. Christmas day must be absolutely overwhelming for the kids and the adults dealing with all the unwrapping.

dashoflime that sounds awesome! You have a lovely df

My dad made me a dolls house when I was 4. I loved it and wanted to make one for ds but am not crafty enough, so got a very old fashioned one off eBay. It's from another family and you can just feel the years of happy family history coming off it. Toys with history are fab