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Christmas

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Original poster

Balancing how to keep minimal without disapointing the kids.

32 replies

hidinginthenightgarden · 20/10/2018 07:13

I am trying this year to only buy things I am absolutely sure the kids will love and get lots of use from. They had their birthdays this month and I did the same then.
My problem is that DD age 3 will get a few "bigger" toys due to the fact that everything comes in huge boxes for toddlers whereas DS age 6 will get the same monetary value but it is going to look very little in comparison. He just turned 6 and wont understand that they have the same. Last year I bought a giant pillow to bulk up his pile but it has just been shoved in his room ever since.
I don't want to buy for the sake of it but I don't want him to be disappointed either. What would you do?

OP posts:
Didiusfalco · 20/10/2018 07:43

My 8 yo is having a more expensive main gift and I’ve got him a big pile of books from the second hand shop, a jigsaw and some craft things. So nothing tat or very expensive but something to add a few extras parcels.

Didiusfalco · 20/10/2018 07:47

...and thinking about it, I don’t balance the monetary value. Things for 3yo just tend to be cheaper.

BeeMyBaby · 20/10/2018 07:48

Perhaps just discuss what he wants for Christmas and make sure the things he really wants he gets so he's not disappointed.
Alternatively look on the £1 online store (google toys for a pound) and spend £5 on bulky craft items that he can use up easily rather than items which languish however it does add to the throw away culture...
or buy him a big chocolate selection hamper and then slyly eat it yourself over the coming months.

MartyMcFly1984 · 20/10/2018 07:49

I’m in the same position op. Almost 5yo is getting a bigger present this year, but has also asked for some smaller things that are almost as expensive. He just won’t get them all, and I’m a bit worried. 1yo just plays with the oldest stuff, so actually doesn’t have anything on his list.
I’m trying to explain value to oldest, but he’s still 4, there’s limited understanding/interest tbh

Meandyoumake2 · 20/10/2018 07:56

Similar problem when buying to two nieces who are sisters one is 3 and one is 8. £50 goes so much further on the 3 year old than 8 year old!

InDubiousBattle · 20/10/2018 08:02

My dc are younger (3&4 but ds will be 5 just before Christmas)but tbh we will probably spend more on ds than dd. The they will both get what they ask for but ds wants lego and dd wants play doh- £80 of lego is a couple of medium sized boxes but eighty quids worth of play doh would be ridiculous! I suspect it will be an unpopular view on here but at this age I think dc will be disappointed if their pile of presents is much smaller than their sibling's so I'll aim to bulk ds's up with a few bits that he won't love but will like and will be useful, such as crafty bits, jigsaws, pencil cases etc.

Original poster
hidinginthenightgarden · 20/10/2018 08:10

Thanks ladies.
I'm not opposed to spending a bit more on DS. I just don't want to buy stuff he will never use!

OP posts:
Ricekrispie22 · 20/10/2018 08:16

If you want cheap bulky toys, look at the Paperpod or Kid Eco cardboard playhouses. Also GiGi blocks are good. My DC loved them!

Alanamackree · 20/10/2018 16:50

Is there anything bulky that your 6yr old will get use out of, but that you might not think of as a “present”? Like a toy chest, or a set of shelves for his room, or an arts and crafts desk?

Original poster
hidinginthenightgarden · 20/10/2018 17:59

No Alana, he has everything and we don't have much room for anything too big.

OP posts:
Lovemusic33 · 20/10/2018 18:30

I don’t think kids actually mind the smaller amount of gifts/smaller pile thing. I always worry as I want them to feel excited when they see their gifts but now they are a bit older dd actually tells me that she would rather have one thing she really wants rather than a pile of gifts that she hasn’t asked for. This year I’m sticking to a list, dd1 has asked for a Nintendo switch which is a lot more than I would usually spend but she would rather just have this and no small gifts, anything else she does get with be things she needs (clothes). Dd2 has asked for Pokemon cards so this will look like hardly anything but when I ask her if she wants anything else she says ‘no’. So dd1’s present will be around £300 and dd2’s around £30 (2 box sets of Pokemon cards), I will buy dd2 a Lego set as she likes building Lego but other than that she won’t be getting much else. I’m fed up of buying loads and things don’t get touched.

mummagirl · 20/10/2018 18:41

My twins came downstairs to Santa's present of one Thomas the tank engine train each.....they were 4 and so happy cos that's what they wanted

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 20/10/2018 23:12

Could you put older ds's present in a larger box? Or if it's something like playmobil have it set up already so looks bigger.

Or something like a tent. The Ikea one is great and made up has the wow factor. All his presents could be inside.

Hobby craft have colour your own houses/rockets/igloos half price at the moment. And once he's finished colouring/playing with it it can be recycled. I've bought the decorate your own dolls houses for my dds.

duckling84 · 21/10/2018 09:24

My ds2(6) has never commented that ds3(2)'s presents are bigger. He's usually just happy with what he's opening being what he wants. I really don't think you need to worry

AvoidingDM · 21/10/2018 09:31

I'm another who won't balance the money. I will try to make sure they have the same number of gifts.
But the LO has lots from the big one and £150 on a two year old who already has tons is nuts.

WhirlwindHugs · 21/10/2018 09:36

Yes, I agree don't balance the money.

Instead think of it as say, one big thing each, 3 small, small stocking of mostly consumables (or whatever mix you want) then it's 'fair' but the physical size is less noticeable, and it adapts better when the eldest no longer wants toys at all!

Nospellingsnomore · 21/10/2018 09:43

I add a small Christmas bag if treats to each kids pile with Pringles, two small bottles of coke, pack of sweets, bar if chocolate
Whatever is on offer and they love it. Noting to eat and drink on Christmas day whenever they want. Doesn't cost much but looks a big gift.

Nospellingsnomore · 21/10/2018 09:47

We also do a version of something...

Something to read...book
Something to wear...new party dress for Christmas
Something they want...item they wanted most off their list. This is the biggest gift.
Something they eat....Christmas bag of snacks each
Something they need....new outfit for a beloved doll or additional set for the car set. Something to add to what we already have.

There might be a couple more smaller gifts depending on what we spent up to this point and what they are asking for.

We cut down a lot last year and I am pleased we did.

userabcname · 21/10/2018 10:03

The Works do children's books for a pound (think it's 10 for £10 online or 5 for £5 in store) and individually wrapped they could bulk up a gift pile quite nicely.

Alanamackree · 21/10/2018 14:24

I wouldn’t worry about it too much. To a 3 year old size would be the main comparison point, but by 6 an equal number of presents will probably make sense.

RebelWitchFace · 21/10/2018 14:46

It's not really the size it's getting things they really want (within reason). DD's main last year was a doll,compared to a dolls house 3 years ago. The pile looked small, as most things were stuff that could be put away,and a lot of slime. She still has some of the slimes now!! And loved every single bit in the pile.
Space is an issue do this year will be the same,things that can be put away or used and then gone(make your own type thing).

JurassicGirl · 21/10/2018 19:11

Dressing gowns are a nice size wrapped up.

Large blow up dinosaur/shark etc

Themed cushion/throw?

Angelcd · 22/10/2018 12:02

I have 5 children 2 older ones that get the same money and gifts, my 3 younger they get the almost same money and gifts ,i dont go buy size just as long as they have the same amount ,they have always been happy with what they have gotten ,i dont think kids notice the size of the gifts so dont worry x

Ariela · 22/10/2018 12:40

Wrap it up with loads of layers (like a pass the parcel) and pop all the cheap things you get in each layer - eg bouncy balls, bubbles,chocolate coin, fancy rubbers, pencils etc etc,
Will take an age to unwrap.

HairyToity · 22/10/2018 12:43

I try for same number to unwrap but not same value. Also try and keep it minimal. I think people sometimes go way over the top and it can still be magical with less. We work on one toy they have asked for and four surprises. Will spend £100 max in total, but have got away with much less. Often bought second hand - especially big items like bike or scooter.