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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

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Original poster

Does everyone buy Christmas presents for their toddler ?

81 replies

pigwitch · 18/12/2014 17:18

I have always bought presents for my dc at Christmas, even when they've been too young to understand etc. Not a huge amount but a few presents to open even though they're more interested in the paper.
My friend however isn't getting anything for her 2 year old -says she's too young to understand etc. It isn't a money issue as they're financially fine and she buys for her older dc's.

Does anyone else do this?

OP posts:

Secretblackandmidnighthag · 18/12/2014 19:39

And mine genuinely hasn't a clue about Christmas, Santa, presents etc. I'm still trying to persuade him to finish opening his birthday presents but he couldn't care less, so I'm not buying more stuff just for the sake of it. He has no siblings so no one to be jealous of. Everyone's kids are different at that age and the OP's friend obviously knows her kids best and what will and won't upset them.

Starlightbright1 · 18/12/2014 19:40

Yes DC will notice but so will siblings... I really don't understnad why some of the stuff 2 year old needs isn't held back for Christmas?

VikingLady · 18/12/2014 19:40

Will they be getting presents from other people though? DD is nearly 3 and she wouldn't notice if we didn't get her anything because she'll be given loads from grandparents.

Actually, we haven't bought her anything. She's getting some of my old toys from when I was small. She'll love them! But we didn't get her anything for her first 2 Christmases. But then she has no older siblings to compare with.

HouseAtreides · 18/12/2014 19:41

DS is 2- I can't imagine not buying him anything! He certainly has fewer presents than his older sisters, otherwise he would just be overwhelmed, but I think he would actually be sad at not having anything to unwrap.

Hopelass · 18/12/2014 19:42

DS is 14 months and is getting a few bits he needed anyway wrapped up (socks, sleepsuits and a Christmas jumper!) just so he can enjoy ripping the paper really. Didn't bother last year as he was only 8 weeks old and was thoroughly spoilt by everyone else!

chocomochi · 18/12/2014 19:47

Poor DC Children understand more than they can express. It's more about being fair to all the children, not just hurting two year old's feelings but for older DCs to see their younger sibling being treated in the same way.

HoHoHappyHolidays · 18/12/2014 19:52

Not getting a 2 year old a present is really mean :( my 2yo DS2 would be furious if he didn't get a gift and everyone else did!

If money is tight they can always get a big cardboard box :)

squiggleirl · 18/12/2014 19:55

I don't get though why you wouldn't buy something for your child, because somebody else is getting them stuff. They're your child. You don't buy gifts for somebody else, because they have no one to buy for them, you buy for them because you love and care about them, and want to show that. So why would you not do that for your own child?

CynthiaDelgado · 18/12/2014 19:55

My 2.6 year old is very excited about Father Christmas. Plus if he got nothing his siblings would want to know why he'd been left out. He's not had as much spent on him but the presents are bigger so it evens out. I can't wait to see his little face.

ThePrincessWhoSatOnTheSprout · 18/12/2014 19:56

I don't think you have to buy a very young child much... they'll probably be more interested in the wrapping and boxes. However, it's lovely to get them something they'll play with immediately or in the year ahead. BUT, if they have siblings, they need some presents to open (even if it's clothes)... why would Father Christmas bring one child presents and not the other none?

ElfontheShelfIsWATCHINGYOUTOO · 18/12/2014 19:57

I think its mean, is about inclusion....even a box with balloons in, most toddlers would LOVE that...helium balloons...

I have wrapped charity stuff, free stuff in the past for very young DC...I would never give them nothing in a day like xmas day.

Bonsoir · 18/12/2014 19:59

DD has had a big fat stocking full of toys every year, plus present from family.

TBH, seeing her believe lock stock and barrel in Father Christmas is one of my very favourite parts of her childhood.

Iggly · 18/12/2014 20:00

Even a small token gift would be nice. Or something they need e.g. clothes.

museumum · 18/12/2014 20:05

I'm buying for my 16mo old. I could give him the two things any day of any week and he'd love them as much but I want to take a photo to show him in few years time of his second ever Christmas morning (and the first he could actually open presents).

DaisyFlowerChain · 18/12/2014 20:07

I can't imagine not buying your own child a present out of choice. It seems very mean hearted and others buying for them doesn't excuse the parents.

It's akin to those who just wrap up old toys from older sibling to give to the younger ones rather than let them having something new and just for them.

Hemlock2013 · 18/12/2014 20:08

Yes that's mean... My dd was only 6 weeks old for her first Christmas, and I'll be honest, I didn't get her anything for that, but even if it's not much money being spent she gets presents. How could you not? X

Fairylea · 18/12/2014 20:13

At 2 they will definitely understand. I think it's mean.

We don't have a lot of money at the moment at all but both dd aged 12 and ds aged 2.5 have a few presents.. The one I'm most pleased with for ds was 99p on ebay! Total bargain.

I don't think there's any excuse for buying one child presents and the other none, even if they are a toddler.

Secretblackandmidnighthag · 18/12/2014 20:15

But what if the child, like mine, DOESNT CARE? Am I still mean, cruel, uncaring, to not buy DS MORE SHIT he has no interest in? Can my love for him only be shown by smothering him in gifts? He got a present from Santa at nursery today. It's lying under the tree, unopened. He didn't even mention it, I found it in his nursery bag. I showed it to him, talked about Santa etc tried to interest him in it - nope. I am actually starting to wonder if DS has some kind of weird developmental delay not to be demanding toys and calculating whose present pile is bigger.

Thurlow · 18/12/2014 20:31

Actually, going against the grain, we didn't buy for DD for her first birthday and Christmases. She was too young to understand and, being honest, too young to have particular interest in toys so we decided not to buy her something for the sake of it when she would be getting lots of toys, books and clothes from the rest of the family. Actually I think we might have 'bought her' a chest of drawers for her room

Her birthday is very near Christmas, which made a bit of a difference. So while we didn't buy anything then but knew that come the summer she'd need other things - trike, paddling pool, that sort of thing - 6 months makes a huge difference at that age. We thought it better to wait and buy the item when she needed it, rather than take a guess at what might fit/suit 6 months early.

We've still not really bought much for this Christmas and birthday (3). She'll have presents from us, but we're not big present buyers as a couple. I'm well aware that the £10 I've spent on tat from the pound shop for her stocking will be far more enjoyed by her than the bigger present we've bought.

Not the common way I know, but hey ho.

TarnishdWithAshAndSootgremlin · 18/12/2014 20:31

secretblackandmidnighthag most people are responding to the situation described in the OP, with their opinions based on their own experiences. You seem to be taking it incredibly personally.

If you are happy with the choice you've made effort your own son and are confident it's right for him, then fine. There's no need to be telling people to fuck off on a Christmas thread.

Don't insinuate other people have grabby children because they are more aware of such things than you reckon yours to be. You don't have to be Verucca Salt to notice that someone was given a gift and you weren't.

My ds at 2 had storybooks and watched tv shows with Christmas in, and helped put our tree up, and wanted to put presents under it.

He is 3 now and all he has asked for this year is a polar bear and a toy fish, and has been busy all week wrapping household items and sticking them under the tree because he enjoys the whole fun of it not because he's demanding and calculating.

Artandco · 18/12/2014 20:44

Secret - it's just the whole Xmas experience. You don't have to have lots of gifts no, but surely he is excited about the concept?

At 2 years in December mine loved reading Christmas stories, saw Santa, helped choose a tree and decorate, had picture advent Calender, saw me wrap gifts for others, painted/ draw Xmas cards for family, helped bake Xmas treats etc etc. Virtually a whole month of showing 'Xmas'.
They definitely were happy and excited. Left carrot for Rudolph etc

We have only ever done a stocking and then 1 or 2 main gifts so not over consumerist.

Surely there's always stuff a 2 year old will need now or soon? A small stocking with a satsuma, bag choc coins, new winter hat and a pack of crayons isn't crazy or buying for the sake of it.

Skyland · 18/12/2014 20:51

My 2 year old is so excited about Christmas and Santa and she thinks santa is going to bring her a boy doll and a big peppa pig. She will be expecting the same as her brothers on Christmas morning as she should. Toddlers are part of the family and should share the excitement of presents and sharing gifts.

squiggleirl · 18/12/2014 20:52

Of course the problem is with other people secret. Our 'calculating' children, have an expectation that they will be treated like their older siblings, and that whilst buying presents for others, we would buy a present for them too. It's sad you seem to equate enjoying the experience of receiving gifts with greediness. Sort of misses the whole point of gift giving really.

Secretblackandmidnighthag · 18/12/2014 20:59

He appears to have no concept of Christmas. He doesn't seem to be at the stage of getting excited in advance for things. We have a tree, lights, presents under it, he has Christmas books and has seen Santa twice at a couple of different parties but it's out of sight out of mind. Maybe a genuine developmental delay? I have no idea. He had a birthday party joint with another kid a few weeks back. The other kid hadn't had their nap because they were so excited about the party, but my DS didn't appear to have a notion what a party was, even though I told him about it.

MmeLindor · 18/12/2014 21:07

I think a 2 year old would notice when their older siblings get presents, and they don't. For this reason, I think it is unfair.

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