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Christmas

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Original poster

Do you and DH agree on how many presents you give your DC?

81 replies

mootime · 09/12/2015 18:54

Dh and I had very different childhoods and very different Christmases.
My parents gave us literally likes of presents ( not all big, probably 1/2 big, 3/4 medium and tons of small as well as stocking)
Dh got stocking and 1 present from his parents (but more from other people than we did it appears.

Every year, I feel I'm being restrained and DH thinks I've over done it.
This year I'm planning on stocking plus a main present, plus 3/4 smaller presents present. Id love to then buy various other bits that are too big for stocking, but I know he will go mad ...
Does anyone else have this problem?

OP posts:
FuckyNell · 09/12/2015 18:58

Mine has no idea how many I've bought until he sees them under the tree Xmas Smile

fuzzpig · 09/12/2015 19:03

Same here FN DH just focuses on my presents and lets me get on with getting the rest (both for our DCs and his older DCs - I LOVE choosing gifts for them all, so it's really no chore!) and then has a shocked face as we get them all out to wrap Xmas Blush but he doesn't mind reeeeally. He just knows it's what I'm like (and I choose very carefully so the presents always go down well)

peggyundercrackers · 09/12/2015 19:07

I buy what I want, it's nothing to do with him what I spend my money on.

buntingbingo · 09/12/2015 19:07

Every year he says I've got them too much and they don't need anything (probably true) but he has no input in what they get doesn't help at all. We have a little argument about it and then it's all over until next year. I suppose it's a Christmas tradition of sorts Smile

crispytruffle · 09/12/2015 19:10

I buy what I want, he usually tells me to buy more.

MrsDiesel · 09/12/2015 19:11

My ex always said I bought too much. My money, I buy what I like.

Artandco · 09/12/2015 19:12

We agree. It's been the same since their birth. One main present plus stocking ( so stocking coils have loads in if it fits!). Generally the stocking contains accessories to the main present plus a few other things

whoseafraidofnaomiwolf · 09/12/2015 19:16

We agree. We try to stick to a stocking, plus the 'something you want, something you need, something to wear & something to read' thing (plus an extra one just cos it's Christmas Grin ). So About 5 presses plus stocking from us in total.

AutumnLeavesArePretty · 09/12/2015 20:21

We both buy, I buy the bulk and DH chooses what he would like them to have and orders them. He will check I haven't already got the same.

We don't do stockings so just gifts here.

WipsGlitter · 09/12/2015 20:35

I buy nearly them all. He's mostly no idea what they're getting until they unwrap them on Christmas morning. DS1 I'd getting an iPad mini and we will split the cost of that.

MrsSparkles · 09/12/2015 20:54

mootime exactly the same with us. We've just about settled on 3 or 4 biggish presents plus a stocking. It feels really stingy to me, but I just buy more at other times of year Wink

We had a mammoth row about it last year so we had to try to reach a compromise of sorts. I think it gets easier as they get older and want more expensive gifts. This is what I tell myself anyway!

itsmeohlord · 09/12/2015 20:57

We set a budget, they would probably get £200 each spent on them. To include their main presents and a stocking, which they still insist on despite having left home!

turkeyboots · 09/12/2015 21:04

We are the other way round. DH would buy contents of Toys r Us and I'd get one big present and a few little bits. We have a spreadsheet and negotiate for 6 weeks (and DH sneaks more stuff in and I sulk).

AppleAndBlackberry · 09/12/2015 21:10

We loosely agree although I tend to overspend a bit and DH is relaxed about that. Ours are getting 3 £20ish presents, a couple of books, a hot water bottle and a stocking each this year, probably around £100 each.

VoldemortsBaubles · 09/12/2015 22:02

We usually have a conversation about big presents and DH usually tells me not to go overboard like in previous years. After the big presents are sorted, I buy extras anyway. As others have said its my money and I save all year. I like to make sure they have a few medium presents under the tree and stockings too. Plus the Christmas Eve hamper. They don't get much throughout the year so I like to spoil them as much as my budget allows. DH doesn't know what I've bough until Christmas morning and then I tell him Santa brought them Xmas Wink

MrsBungle · 09/12/2015 22:05

I buy whatever I like. Dh buys stuff too. We don't really make an agreement about how much to buy.

insan1tyscartching · 10/12/2015 06:51

Dh is weird, our youngest (12) has an unlimited budget although he never has any suggestions what to buy so I do it all. We disagree about our four adult dc though as he thinks now they are adults they don't need much whereas I like to buy them nice things too. Our compromise is that they don't have an unlimited budget (they did when they were children) but they get a lot more than dh would buy them so around £200 each and a stocking.
I think it's because his parents did token presents once dh was no longer a child whereas my parents died when I was young so never experienced what a parent would buy an adult child.

CakeNinja · 10/12/2015 07:01

We don't really discuss it.
I do all the shopping, he asks if I think we've got them enough, that's about it.
They get absolutely plenty from us, well chosen, imaginative presents, a mix of asked for things and surprises.
Huge stockings, main presents from FC and us, tree presents from us, and then presents from family.
If he suggested I bought too much I'd give him a Hmm look! It's always him that makes last minute suggestions!

WhispersOfWickedness · 10/12/2015 07:01

DH doesn't know how much I've got them until they are wrapped and under the tree. I buy bargains as I see them through the year, I very rarely pay full price for something and we have a reasonable disposable income. He does have a bit of a moan about the lack of space for toys, but I mostly ignore him Grin
I suspect it will change as they get older though, he is the tech expert in this house so will probably take over that aspect as they get to that stage Smile

yomellamoHelly · 10/12/2015 07:10

Another one whose dh doesn't know what they're getting until he sees the pile. Think gps would say we weren't that generous, but we always spend Christmas with them and they buy a fair few anyway so I scale back the heaps so it's not overwhelming / all played with etc....

Original poster
mootime · 10/12/2015 07:21

There is quite a spread of answers, but at least I'm not alone. Had the annual go through what I've bought evening and I think that for once we are not rowing about it!!
I was even encouraged to buy eldest DS an extra present to even things out!!
Almost done now, just need some stocking bits for youngest DS.

OP posts:
LibidinousTurkey · 10/12/2015 07:31

Given that DS's presents mysteriously appear, wrapped and with a full working complement of batteries etc. he doesn't really get much choice.

He's hopeless with money anyway and genuinely couldn't tell you how much I spend per week on food, fuel, dog food etc. so he has the grace not to moan about presents. I also deal with his GC's gifts so I am doubly immune Xmas Grin

Fuckitfay · 10/12/2015 07:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Spidertracker · 10/12/2015 07:42

We agree and normally get six or seven each. We plan,look online, shop together. We discuss what the children might like, whether we have room to store it.
Those of you whose other halves don't know what you've bought, or say it's my money I'll spend it how I like. Are the presents you buy labelled from mum and dad or just from mum and dad buys others.
Oh, hang on, do you just put Father Christmas?

DrDreReturns · 10/12/2015 07:43

We normally agree we're not going to get a lot of presents for the kids, then DW gets loads as anyway! This year I don't think they'll get that many presents as we genuinely can't think what to buy them.

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