I've just done nearly ALL the DC"s shopping online! Need ideas to bulk out piles...

[CheapSausagesAndSpam]

I can't believe it.

I got a bass guitar and amp for DD1 aged 13
Then about 4 things from her fave online fashion shop...basically a top, a dress, a massive wall hanging thing and a necklace...almost bankrupted myself! WHY are teens so expensive!

Then for DD2 aged 9 I got a metal detector, a doll she wants, a couple of board games, a craft/fashion thing set, massive set of scented colouring stuff, and something else I can't remember!

I am worried about lack of quantity though...DD1 only has 6 things to open and DD2 7 things.

I am SURE I normall have about 12 things each...

What can I get to bulk them out please? I'd rather buy things like that in person so I think I'll go next week when I get stocking bits.

Why bulk out at all? You’ve already got them what they wanted.

Another one here saying a big fluffy blanket. My dc love these on their beds.

It sounds enough to me!

Board games maybe?

They've got mini hatchimals in Sainsbury's that hatch out of the eggs for £5. Good for stocking fillers. My ds is younger but is obsessed with mashems and surprises eggs so I've just bought a load of them for stocking

Ah scratch that I thought they were younger didn't read properly! Ignore me

'Bulk out'? You are aware there are children in the UK without enough to eat this Christmas? Give them a card showing a you have donated a Christmas dinner to Crisis in their names, my three and seven year old are giving each this and are proud.

Teach them some values rather than buying more stuff to end up in landfill.

Besides Board Games what about...

Backpack or bag
Shoes or slippers
Big Plush toy
Cheap skateboard (if either is into that sort of think)
Alarm clock or radio
Headphones
Mermaid Tail blanket
Books or Annuals
Arts & Crafts type things (Tapefitti set looks great)
Beanbag
Funky desk lamp

I'm not in the UK so have not idea of cost on these items where you are!

I often get things that are needed - pack of knickers, pjs a book, nice shower gels and lush bath bomb of some sort, bed socks, favourite sweets etc but mostly they go in stocking

But I agree don't get too involved in making the piles big

Stationary - mine love a bit of novelty stationary.

Craft stuff.

Accessories - cheap bag/purse/ hair stuff.

@grobagsforever
Re the Christmas dinner. That’s such a good idea. My dd 13 sells things at school and donates proceeds to the Salvation Army. She would really love this.

My lb is alot younger so not sure il be much help but i thought nail varnish sets, smelly sets, i saw a sleepover kit that had lots of bits and pieces in home bargain, dvds box sets, book sets the book people have loads of deals on, board games, slippers, dressing gown, fairy lights for room, back pack, favourite sweets/ chocolate, Packs of leggings, if they have a phone older one maybe ? A phone cover. Hope that helps

Some of these replies (and opinions) have not been asked for! If you don't have a suggestion on bulking up then for goodness sake move on.

I think most of us are aware that there are people in crisis the world over. Pointing it out doesn't make anyone more aware. Grobags you're making an assumption that the OP doesn't contribute to charities or people in need, for all you know she may have a house full of foster children - you don't have a clue - and besides this is not anyone else's business what she does with her money! Not to mention the comment about "teaching them some values" - WTF!?? How on earth do you know what values are instilled in her DC?? Do you know them personally? Do you know how they spend their days and whether they invest time in helping others? Unbelievable.

If your opinion isn't asked for you really shouldn't be giving it.

I'm going to B&M and buying sweets - American or the retro kind.

@Sleephead1
The sleepover set sounds good. Have t got a hb near us though !

@whimsical1975 - Maybe I was being unreasonable but the expression 'bulk out' made me feel ill. Giving children things just so they have a bigger pile of stuff just reinforces the consumerist values that are destroying our society. I'm afraid I care more about the next generation not resembling the bargain-hungry, stuff-obsessed zombies I saw in town today than I do about offending strangers on the internet.

Onsie or dressing gown, DVD box sets, smellie sets such as Jack wills/Superdry, slippers, new hoodie.

That's all I can think of!

To be fair, the op did say this

almost bankrupted myself! WHY are teens so expensive

I know that comment is probably tongue in cheek but I personally see no reason to buy more just so they have more of a pile. Sounds like they both have plenty.

I buy mine a build a bear come in giant boxes

A huge bag of popcorn, onesie, character slippers, inflateable guitar!

They surely have plenty. Especially as you have said they will also get a stocking. If you need to bulk out, maybe wrap them all in larger boxes?
I know people don't like it that people are commenting off topic, but on a public forum, if people hear about mum's desperately scrabbling to 'bulk out' their children's pile of presents (which already sounds very generous), people surely can express their shock.

Both the number of presents and their size are way more than I'd give.

So could you describe a bit more fully how many items and what total you are aiming for ?

To go back on topic. If you feel you do need to bulk up their piles, I would go with things they need...... Books/socks/pyjamas/toiletries/stationary/a film you can all watch on Christmas day.

Maybe a music stand to go with the bass guitar or a guitar stand. My DD loves the big fluffy cushion she got a few years ago. Gel pens for younger DD
Not very helpful for this year but I always go to the boots January sale when it drops to 70% off and get the bath sets etc and save them till Christmas. Often I will also get them something that they might need for one of their sports clubs that I would probably buy anyway and give it to them for Christmas eg a team hoody or thermal undershirts.
It does get so much more expensive and much much harder to find cheaper things that they'll appreciate ( I now have several teenagers ).

I'm a huge fan of Christmas but honestly, buying cheap to bulk out presents is just wasteful and I'm talking from experience.

I used to ensure DS had a good sized pile and realised I was buying tat for the sake of it.

The past three years, including this one (he's 10) is made up of about 5 presents. It doesn't look overwhelming but it's made up of things he has been eyeing up all year and has asked for.

At first I was worried he would be bothered but he was so happy to open stuff he actually wanted rather than a pile of bulking up tat.

I've even roped family into doing the same. So if he writes a list, it's shared around the family. If, like this year, the list has 6 items on, we get them and family are giving vouchers for his favourite shops so he can buy through the year for his hobby etc.

I've stopped buying pointless as it gets given away or breaks and usually ends up in landfill.

I'm sure your girls will be happy with a presents they want rather than an excess of stuff they don't, just to make a pile bigger.