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Christmas

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

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Original poster

Pics with all your children's presents hurt me at Christmas

160 replies

pinklady159 · 26/10/2015 01:26

I know its not anyone's fult but i find Christmas so hard and feel like im failing as a mum last year i could only get my son 2 presents so i wrapped up so cardboard boxes so when i took pics it looked like he had more this Christmas is going to be even harder my ex left me in August and ive had a horrible year i don't think i will be able to get my son anything I know hes only going to be 20 months and wont remember but I used to love Christmas and want to make it so special for my little boy :( xx

OP posts:

Everydayaschoolday · 26/10/2015 01:34

Welcome to MN, as it's an unusual posting to name change for.

Original poster

pinklady159 · 26/10/2015 01:35

I dont understand your reply sorry x

OP posts:

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 26/10/2015 01:40

You just have to remember that the real spirit of Christmas actually has nothing to do with presents and material things.

Love, hope, charity, togetherness. There are a lot of nice things you can do with your DS at Christmas that doesn't involve STUFF.

Plus it is not a competition.

Out2pasture · 26/10/2015 01:45

Pink, I was at the grocery store yesterday (in Canada)and saw several little items for $1 (less than a L) that could be wrapped up for Christmas. At that age the boxes are as much fun as the gift inside. PJ's and socks might not be fun to us but again more boxes to open. It's about the love, no one will judge you based on the photo's. Don't take a photo with the gifts, take one at the dinner. I'm sure more people will come on with way better ideas. Positive thoughts for you and your son.

Original poster

pinklady159 · 26/10/2015 01:45

I know that and i do my best for him becouse i love Christmas lol. Its just when u go on social media and everyone is posting pictures lf there children with 100s of presents it makes you feel bad. I make it special without presents i decorate make paper chains watch xmas movies and things with him it just makes me feel bad when i see it x its just me and my son we dont have a big family to visit or anything like that but i take him 2 the park and play games and sing with him but last year we had this dad here 2 but now it's just the 2 of us xx

OP posts:

BitOfFun · 26/10/2015 01:46

Yes, it's doing lovely things together that counts, especially at that age. Bake some tree biscuits, go out and look at all the house lights. Read a special Christmas story together. I don't get much for my younger daughter, because she's learning disabled and doesn't get excited about gifts- what's the point of buying stuff to impress other people on Facebook? But we still have a lovely time.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 26/10/2015 01:46

I have a 2 and a 1 year old and should have a new baby just before Christmas. The baby will be getting 1 present from us and the 1 and 2 year old will only get 1 and s few very small bits in a stocking - and that's by total choice. I don't think that's mean at all! Honestly, your DS will be delighted with two presents and just excited about the day of you are

ElsaAintAsColdAsMe · 26/10/2015 01:48

Deactivate facebook for the whole of december, the world will look like a different place without it.

He is 20 months old, you are already doing the important thing by spending quality time with him that's far more special than a pile of presents.

CRtester · 26/10/2015 01:48

I'm sorry you're having such a tough time but honestly at 20 months your son really won't care about presents. Children enjoy the magic of Christmas lights, trees etc - all of which can be admired for free! And my 5 year old still loves playing with boxes! Honestly you're not failing your son at all.

Quite frankly, some pictures of piles of presents are a bit obscene. Things don't make you happy; people do. Just ignore the Facebook braggers!

BitOfFun · 26/10/2015 01:49

Deactivate and take a few days off Facebook over Christmas, if that makes you feel better. It will help you focus on enjoying your time together anyway.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 26/10/2015 01:49

Seriously - think about temporarily blocking people on social media. That is beyond crass to take photos of presents and post them online.

Presumably your DS will also get presents from his Dad and other family members etc? But even if not, 2 presents is fine

Wtfmummy · 26/10/2015 01:54

Ah bless you. I'm sorry you are struggling and I can understand the pressure you are feeling. Can you go to a pound store and get a couple of small toys? My boys love little cars and cheap plastic dinosaurs etc.

But remember, the most important thing is that your DC has you. You're doing a great job!

captainproton · 26/10/2015 01:55

It must hurt, I can see that. I've been there not about Xmas but anger and jealously wishing my friends would not post statuses on FB about how wonderful all mums are, how they always love you and will be there for you etc. Not going to bore you with the details but let's just say it wasn't quite like that for me and never can be.

I did over time learn to accept that I didn't get what other people take for granted. Now I am happy for those who have that which I don't.

But it takes a long time, and your little one will not remember this Christmas. And trust me your son is so lucky just to have a mummy like you who cares about his Christmas, you are totally worth more than all the Christmas presents in the world ever could.

I hope that things get better for you both in 2016, and that life has some good things in store for you.

sashh · 26/10/2015 02:23

A suggestion I have seen for a toddler present is to blow up an entire packet of balloons and put them in a box then wrap it.

tedhis · 26/10/2015 06:29

one of my very rich friends (minor stately home rich) didn't buy their children any christmas or birthday presents until about 3 (they had twins). they just wrapped up their existing toys and put them in a stocking from santa! Fabulous idea I think.

DixieNormas · 26/10/2015 06:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

didireallysaythat · 26/10/2015 06:49

Definitely balloons in a box. Just brilliant !

SparklyTinselTits · 26/10/2015 06:56

My sister did the balloons in a massive box thing for my nephew when he was about 22 months. His face was a picture!!
Also how about making some sensory bottles?? Cheap and cheerful and babies love them!

Your DS will be so happy to play with mummy and anything brightly coloured no matter how much it costs And as PP have said, Christmas will be what you make of it...it's not all about how much money you throw around or how many presents there are. It's about spending time with the people you love the most, and for your son, you are the best person to be with

bittapitta · 26/10/2015 06:57

I've never seen people post photos of all their presents on social media. Sounds revolting. Delete/unfollow those people now in advance of Christmas.

catsrus · 26/10/2015 06:58

I have never whole the whole 100s of presents thing - not everyone does. My DC got one present from us then odd little things from their grandma. Block the people on FB who do this if it upsets you. There are more important things in life than lots of presents, love your ds and teach him to value love not stuff - that's the greatest gift you can give him IMO.

WeAreEternal · 26/10/2015 06:59

I do not find one or two presents for a baby a bad thing at all, they will be more interested in the gift wrap and packaging anyway.

What I do find deeply sad is that you felt the need to wrap empty boxes in order to make it look like you had bought lots of gifts purely for the purpose of joining in with the trend of 'gift bragging' photos on social media.

SouthWesterlyWinds · 26/10/2015 07:03

I have. Longs he crowing no. Lo me what little Jnr has got to look forward to in the morning. Think the Dudleys in Harry Potter and that's what the OP is on about. Its like an open invite to burglars on what they can expect to find.

OP - YANBU. You can deactivate your FB or change your mindset. That your DC appreciate the time and the effort and thought you put into them. Balloons in a box. Little things from the pound shop for the stocking - chocolate buttons, a book for Christmas eve, toothbrushes (my toddler looks on a new toothbrush as a present!!), I even saw v cheap wooden toys at the Works this week so there's an option. Enjoy the Yuletide with your son.

Youarentkiddingme · 26/10/2015 07:05

I remember the year I could afford birthday presents for my ds. I bought him loads of outdoor toys from pound land - rocket launchers, bubbles etc - and he loved it!

If your ds loves the boxes - most kids do! - you could get a load of large boxes from Aldi and wrap a toy car up in a large box. Then use the box to make a road to play the cars on.

Honestly it's not what you buy - it's the memories you create.

fieldfare · 26/10/2015 07:06

How terribly crass to post pictures like that in the first place, and why on earth would you want to subscribe to that kind of bragging, wasteful, oneupmanship anyway?

Your son will be perfectly happy with a couple of presents! The box of balloons is a genius idea, most toddlers would love that.

It's not the gifts that make memories to treasure, it's time with you. Snuggling up with popcorn and a christmas film, going to church, taking a walk to see the Christmas lights, a visit to see Father Christmas and his reindeer, baking Christmas cookies and visiting with friends and neighbours - time, love and your attention are what's important.

RabbitSaysWoof · 26/10/2015 07:06

That's brilliant, balloons in a box!!!
I'm steeling that.

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