Small present pile - pressure to get more

[HighwayDragon1]

This is going to sound ridiculous so bear with me please.

We've bought DD a laptop for Christmas, but this means she'll get much less to unwrap. How do I not buy stuff for the sake of it? How important is "the pile" in your house? For the last 7 years she's had a massive pile to unwrap, because her main presents are usually around the 50/60 mark not 310 I just feel so guilty!

Does anyone else get the guilt? I knew we are in an incredible situation that we can afford a lot, and some are scraping together to give kids any kind of Christmas and that makes me feel worse!

I'm having a pity party right now! Tell me, how many gifts do you give? (Excluding stocking)

When did this start? the need to have at least ..... 32 presents? hmm vile!!

Agreed entirely, Oblomov!

This year DS1 who is 10 has a much smaller pile than DD (4) and DS2 (3) because he has 3 Xbox one games and an iPhone 6S. He has a couple of Star Wars figures and some PJs and sweets/toiletries but I’m not going to spend for the sake of it iyswim? I’ve done that before and ended up giving most of it away because it wasn’t used.

I would want to buy my 7yr old some toys personally. Toys are fun and you only get to have little kids for so long.....plenty of time ahead to buy dry teenager gifts.

Yesterday I bought my 7 yr old a leap pad ultra tablet for school work and we aren't giving it as a gift - it's for homework and so we are viewing it and presenting it as a school item.

I think I'd get the laptop as a family gift or something for you / DH. Which means you can control the amount of time that it's used.

Actually it really annoys me that primary schools are assuming that all children have access to laptops and tablets.

OP where does this guilt come from?

I'd maybe get a few little cheap things to open like some fluffy socks, chocolate, book, pyjamas, DVD and Lipbalm. Could get all of that from eBay for £20-£30.

My dd got a laptop last year & I felt the same as you op. To make the pile seem bigger her other present was a giant emoji floor pillow. It was massive. & is great in her room. I've tried to attach a pic ( hope it work's )

Forgot to say my dd 13 so more understanding about value of things

Mine got beat rolls and raisins to pad it out when it was tablet year 😆

Easy to find stuff to wrap

Knicker
Socks
Hair bobbles
Pencils
Pencil cases
Smellies
Books
Travel game
Pack of cards
Chocolates
Sweets