How many gifts ?

[BurritoSquad]

Usually the kids get 2/3 big presents each then about 20 little presents plus a stocking . New pjs and slippers on the 24th .
Last year was chaos , the house was overrun with junk and though they are grateful for anything they get I think they found it overwhelming . I have a new baby who will be 9 months old in December and we can't afford to buy as much as previous years .
How many gifts do you buy your children and can I have some stocking ideas for children ranging from 8 years to 9 months please ?

2 kids (twins) 1 main which they get to choose, around a £100 plus three other 'surprise' presents totalling about 30 to 50. A stocking each with stuff from £1 to £10 but usually around the middle mark. About 10 things in the stocking plus gold coins and a tube of smarties or jelly tots. No complaints this end.

One main, few bits in stocking total spend abt £60 per child

I just have one child and no set rules. I buy a lot of things secondhand which can mean a bundle of toys that I count as one gift when in reality it might actually be 6 or 7 different toys. For example, last year he wanted a Batcave and a Rescue Bots playset, which was 2 presents. But I bought the Batcave with a selection of other heroes, villains and vehicles. And the Rescue Bot base with all the Bots, some character figures and villains. Both bundles were less than the price of the two toys he wanted new.

On Christmas eve, I set up the two playsets with the figures they originally came with and a few extras, like a Batmobile, Batgirl and the Joker and an extra Bot with the Rescue Bot set. Then all the extras go in the stocking which is opened last. I also usually give him a set or two that he hasn't asked for.

DS usually asks for 2 things and I give him 3 or 4, though if I was buying new, it would actually be 20ish toys. His stocking is made up of extras from the bundles, toys I make myself, special books, dress up outfit and maybe a special teddy or cushion. And a few edible treats of fruits and chocolate.

If possible I order something from the US or Australia that was never released here or a retro toy from the 80s/90s that he has seen on Youtube and loves. I also make custom toys inspired by customs he's seen on youtube or a fantasy toy he has imagined (this year I'm making Monster 500 cars with the cast of 5 Nights at Freddies in place of the monsters). It adds to the magic of Santa as I have told him that it's just not at all possible to get those toys delivered here/anymore/in existence yet Santa and his elves have managed to come up trumps.

We used to just go mad & buy whatever we thought they'd like from us, plus 5 gifts each & a stocking from Santa. This year, we're having to cut back A LOT. They'll still get a stocking each from Santa & 5 gifts each from him, but no idea what they'll have from us, probably one main gift (computer game or playset) & 4 little ones. They're in for a shock, that's for sure. Last year, we spent close to £1,000 each, this year, they'll be lucky to have £150 each (including gifts from Santa) x

Forgot to add, they'll be 10 & 5 at Christmas x

D's is looking for harry potter hogwarts castle Lego, £400! Might get it and very little else, last year he got so much and most of it Jas gone.to the charity shop

Galwaygirl That set looks amazing!!! I really want it but couldn't justify the £350 price tag. I might wait and see if a toy retailer is selling it and has a discount code.