How many presents?

[change132]

I've read many threads recently regarding presents. Just wondering how many presents you buy for each dc? I don't buy them much at all apart from Christmas and birthdays but I love them coming down in the morning to a massive pile of presents so I tend to buy between 30 and 40 each. Anyone else or just me???

[BrianMolkoismyPlacebo]

The waste bothers me too twoevils.... Not the op's but just waste and over consumerism in general. Then passing it on to children that it is okay.

[HeCantBeSerious]

Precisely why we don't do it.

[altik]

Each to their own, I don't judge others... life's too short to be petty like that.

My DC get 5 main presents under the tree.

They get a small stocking when they wale to open before we get up. Usually things to entertain them from stupid o'clock to a reasonable getting up time. These will be things like a chocolate santa, a magazine to read etc... usually 5 - 8 presents. This is from us.

And a sack from Santa. This usually contains a mix of things they need, luxury treats they like and a few presents. They'll normally get about 15 presents in their sacks. Presents usually includes treats such as a big tub of bubblegum and huge catering box of chocolate cereal (we don't buy this so a real treat!), things they need like new clothes, pjs, dressing gown and slippers etc..., replenishing consumables (this year they've got new sharpie pens etc), things they need for their hobbies or their rooms, and then usually a book, board game, DVD and cd, and up to 3 things they request. So decent presents, but I don't do tat (don't have the space).

So about 25 presents from us, but opening it will be spread over a 6 hour period, so they don't just open and move onto the next thing either.

I also don't do constant giving over the year. So unless essentials, they get most stuff as presents. For example, DD2 wants a pe skort for netball (but doesn't need it) so that will be a present.

[altik]

"The waste bothers me too twoevils.... Not the op's but just waste and over consumerism in general. Then passing it on to children that it is okay."

Interestingly I agree with this - but it's the other 364 days of the year that really bothers me! I find DDs often ask for stuff, and I'll say well if you want it, ask for Xmas / birthday (Or save up your pocket money and buy it yourself). Half the time, they've changed their minds by the time Christmas comes, so half the crap they REALLY, REALLY want in Sept doesn't make the final list and I don't have to buy it. The time for reflection and a generous but still finite list helps them to think about what they really want!

[beardedladydragon]

We do a high quality stocking. I hate tat so it is generally stuff they need or will use regularly I.e dd is getting a set of pro markers, soap and glory set, a leather bound notebook, some wool tights, hardback book etc. They also get about 5-6 tree presents each which will include a "main" present.

[Florathefern]

Three presents each from Santa (one 'big' present and two small presents). Less than 200 pounds each for sure.

I buy presents for them during the year and currently have toys in the attic from last year that we never got around to giving them. We actually forgot about them and now it is too close to Xmas to suddenly produce them. E.g. a dolls house etc. They don't actually want a dolls house so can't produce it on Xmas day. I think they have far too many toys as it is and barely look at most of them.

[OvO]

These threads are always funny. People being shocked at 30 presents but then talk about the 456 relatives that also buy for their DC, or holidays abroad for Christmas.

Lots of presents doesn't equal shit presents, nor does it equal a spoilt child (no more than a holiday abroad makes for a spoilt child).

Just like 2 presents doesn't equal a poor unloved child. That would be a ridiculous suggestion, now wouldn't it?

Now, one of my DC will have only a stocking while the other will have a pile so I guess I'm doing it both ways! Poor unloved DS1 and spoiled, materialistic DS2.

[Nicpem1982]

i agree with ovo lots of presents doesn't mean they're rubbish:

My dds presents include play doh sets, educational toys, orchard games and sylvanian families.

her friends parents and I have decided that in lieu of Xmas presents each family will pay for a day out for everyone so there's 4 days out planned in through the year too these include our local water park and ski centre so again not tat :)

[Inthenick]

I spent approximately £50 per child on Santa gifts and only a token gift from us. They will get sonic stuff from grandparents, aunts and uncles. I also struggle with the waste. Kids just don't see beyond three or four items.

[Crystal15]

25 each and a christmas eve hamper and stocking. Roughly £300 each

[BowiesBlueEye]

My 3 have about 20 each plus stockings. Amongst the pile of 20 are socks, a few books each, selection box, board games, Lego, colouring pens, pencil cases etc. The stockings are full of kawaii stuff for the older 2 that were very cheap on Ali express.

This is DS1's list as an example. Not loads of tat, nothing very expensive but everything he will love

Labrynth board game
Lego creator medium sized set
Cluedo
Nerf gun (B&M bargain!)
Bluetooth speaker that lights up
Lego city medium set
Bluetooth headphones
Stikbot studio
New ripleys book
New David Walliams book
Xmas t shirt
Pokemon card set
Loreal shower gel set
A tripod for his phone ( he makes animation)
Comic drawing book
Minecraft hoodie
Chess set
Lumi dough
Selection box
Apple Store Lego (aliexpress)

No big items to try and store in his room and everything he will use.

His stocking includes

Mini Lego set
Pokemon card booster pack
Smiggle sharpener
Bookmark
Flashing pen
Post it note block
Ninja highlighter pack
Manga pens
Skateboard tool
Kawaii themed phone holder
Dan TDM plush

Sweet crap I normally don't let them have (spray bloody candy)

Again. He will use all of it.

So huge piles doesn't necessarily mean a ton of tat and they've all come out at about £200 each including stockings due to the brilliant Xmas bargain threads.

[MaddyHatter]

Brian I can't imagine spending that much on one child and not on the the other, so i wouldn't spend £400 on one and only £70 on the other.. sounds entirely unfair... but then i wouldn't spend £350 on a bike either as neither of my kids are bothered about them so we get them 2nd hand, and then pass them on when they get too big.

[CoffeeChocolateWine]

Mine get about 4 or 5 from us under the tree (we do the want, need, wear, read thing plus one other usually) plus a stocking that has between 10 and 12 things. Then they get a few more gifts from family.

[FlopIsMyParentingGuru]

Well I feel tight. Stocking plus one to three present under the tree. Usually a value of £40-£50 for tree presents and stocking stuff comes to about £25 each.

[wobblywonderwoman]

Mine are pre school age so I give one big Santa toy (ride on and bike)

Stocking with pound shop / arts&crafts

Might pick up some DVDs or soft toys but that will be that. Family might get dome small toys and PJs/clothes

[MumboNumber5]

stocking plus 3 or 4 presents. About £120 all in for each DC (age 7 and 5).

[winterisnigh]

I never count in terms of how many gifts....I think about what they would like etc and go from there.

For instance I have pretty much sorted out their gifts but someone mentioned this www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00LEQ7VQK/ref=pd_luc_rh_sim_02_04_t_img_lh?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

on another thread and it looks so fabulous and creative I am adding it to the list. I prefer to try and buy for bday and Christmas so I get as much as I can to keep them going throughout the year, also they will get negligible gifts from other family members.

[OzzieFem]

4 presents. A main one, then 3 smaller presents.

[SheepyFun]

We spend much less than many of those here, but a commentator on another thread put it well - she said that many of those who give sparingly at Christmas provide other things through the year, and that's definitely true for us. DD's b'day is within a fortnight of Christmas, it seems very unfair to only give her gifts in December.

Also, another poster said she was going to spend £1000 on her daughter, but it turned out that the vast bulk of this was going on a musical instrument for her daughter who had already reached grade 5 (so shown commitment) - we wouldn't expect to give something like that as a present, but we may well spend that sort of money on an instrument or similar in the future (DD is 3, so a bit young yet!).

So my short answer would be 1-3 presents totalling about £30, but that isn't the full picture, and I suspect we aren't alone....

[Equimum]

It's really interesting how many of us quantify the gifts differently, too. I've niticed some people counting several individual books separately. I've got DS1 four books, but will wrap them, and think if them as one gift.

Someone mentioned finding it strange that people spend very different amounts on their children. I have debated this a lot this Christmas with my DH. We've concluded that these things will probably even out over time. For example, DS1, nearly four, desperately wanted a castle and a couple of other fairly expensive things, like Magformers. DS2, 15m, though, doesn't really need much this year, as he has lots of his brothers bits. Although he has the same number of gifts, we have only spent just over half of what we've spent on the older one. Come next year, though, we expect to be buying DS2 a scooter and all the accessories. Consequently, we may well spend much more on him next year.

[CantSleepClownsWillEatMe]

Usually between 6 and 8 gifts here plus stocking. Our DC are aged 5 and 7. The stocking is really just little things like chocolate coins, bubble bath, stickers etc. TBH it's only to keep them in their bedrooms a bit longer on Xmas morning!

The gifts are usually one "main" gift e.g. marble run, large Lego set, plus smaller items too like a box set of books, board game, decent craft stuff, a particular doll or action figure, that sort of thing. So more than some, less than others but works for us as I feel they get a bit overwhelmed with a massive pile to open. Budget is €200 to €250 each. They will also get 4 or 5 gifts from relatives so I reckon they get quite a lot overall.

[CantSleepClownsWillEatMe]

That's true Equimum Books would be one gift in my head, likewise DD is getting a big box filled with lots of different craft bits and again I'd call that one gift while someone else might count each single item.

[insan1tyscartching]

And for me books don't count because you can never have too many books I say this often to dh who cannot see the appeal tbh .
Likewise dd's stocking will contain a book and a dvd (total cost £8) but I don't count them as gifts because they are in her stocking whereas others might count them as two more gifts.

[MyHairNeedsASnip]

Just had a look at the list and DD has 7 for under the tree. I'm happy with it, one of the presents is the massive unicorn that we all got so that will be the 'wow' gift when it's wrapped up because it's fecking huge and one is a hatchimal.

The stocking has lots of lovely bits in including sticky dinosaurs and a solar hula girl but nothing over £3.

I'm looking forward to seeing her little face!

[MadameJosephine]

That looks awesome winterisnigh have just ordered for my difficult to buy for 10 year old nephew. Thanks for the idea