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Christmas

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Original poster

Drowning in toys

9 replies

TidyTinsel · 19/12/2017 23:05

I love Christmas so hopefully I am in the right section Grin My dd will be 4 this year and in previous years family and friends have been very generous with gift giving so I have no reason to believe that this year won't be the same. As a child I loved the pile of presents under the tree but this year I am dreading the onslaught of toys and other presents.

How can I prepare for this? I have decluttered quite a bit this year yet we are still drowning in stuff and that is only going to get worse after Christmas. I hope I'm not the only one who feels like this!

OP posts:
CantSleepClownsWillEatMe · 19/12/2017 23:23

Well it's probably too late for this year but maybe before her birthday and next Christmas you could suggest specific items, possibly things that family could buy between them rather than each buying an individual gift? It really depends how open to suggestion they are though, some people just want to do their own thing. Other ideas such as paying for an activity, gift tokens, cinema vouchers, money for her saving account, possibly they might like to take her out for a day as a treat instead of a gift?

I (politely) discouraged friends from buying mine gifts as I think it gets really expensive and as people then have dc of their own you obviously feel obliged to reciprocate.

LovingLola · 19/12/2017 23:24

Keep as much to one side as you can, unopened. Then after Christmas donate it to a children's charity or hospital or a family refuge.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 20/12/2017 00:10

Have a good 'weed' after Christmas - things now a bit too young for her or that haven't been played with for a while. The charity shops will thank you.
My dd is going to have to do this - just doesn't have space for a whole lot more, and like you she has a generous family - and double the deluge since she has 2 very little dcs.

Mmmmmmmchips · 20/12/2017 00:31

I have a clear out before Xmas. Then I go through gifts (and make a note of who has given what) and separate what DC is realistically going to play with vs things that are short term, things he won’t play with or things that are similar to what DC has. I then pack all this stuff and generally regift (unless it’s tat Grin).
Once she is in school she will get invited to parties and I found initially will get invited to everybody’s.

Original poster
TidyTinsel · 20/12/2017 08:14

I have suggested one item to a few people (who asked what dd might like) but I know that they will probably get that and more. For example I know she is getting several playmobil and Lego sets, and obviously she's not quite outgrown duplo and playmobil 123. Also I'm not sure what to do with anything she has outgrown, as we hope to have another and so I'd like to save it for them. Really though she gets a lot of play value from some of her younger toys, for example stacking cups are a toy she uses nearly every day!

I find it really hard to not open the toys right away, especially if dd asks to as I want to show the giver that we are thankful and that they picked a good present! I really don't want to upset either of the grandparents by giving away things.

I guess I need help to be more ruthless when weeding out toys. I have stored away board books and toys for babies plus a fair few battery operated toys but I can't seem to sort through the rest. She has things like a train set, duplo, cars, playmobil /farm figure, babies and pram, kitchen and toy food, dolls house, arts and crafts, bike scooter, puzzles, dressing up, a few games, plus toys like stacking cups and wooden rings. So there is nothing that is unusual for a four year old, it's just the amount of it! And that it's going to be added to in less than a weeks time, when we are already burst at the seams. How can I be more ruthless in decluttering these things?

OP posts:
chillimice · 20/12/2017 11:24

If it's any consolation, I think age 4 is peak toy! I remember just feeling so overwhelmed by the amount of STUFF everywhere when the DC were that age.. but take heart, it doesn't last forever and suddently you look around and the only think they're interested in is a tiny phone/tablet/DS. In a funny sort of way I kind of miss it..

Original poster
TidyTinsel · 20/12/2017 18:48

I really hope this is peak toy! That gives me some hope, although I am sure I will miss her being this age too.

OP posts:
nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 20/12/2017 19:03

decent storage is your friend, dds have the big kallax from Ikea. each cube the has a different type of toy. it's hard as I think you shouldn't let them grow up too fast by getting rid of baby toys. my dds are 9 and happy land and the vtech teapot are used daily.

they each have a crap box of McDonald's, party bag or General random shite they have to clear out. the random shit can only live in one place, in order to keep new additions they have to get rid of some 😆

also amazon wish lists.

ItsBeginingToLookAlotLikeChris · 20/12/2017 19:06

I think at that age I money into bank is best. Trust fund, child isa. If they must get a gift then I think money or tickets to events local farms... Soft play vouchers. It's just toys are a dime a dozen at that age

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