Is anyone else trying to buy less this year?

[Misty9]

Dc, 4 and 7, really don't need any more toys or stuff so I'm trying to keep it small this year but am losing my resolve! They've got one main present each, a father Christmas present and a stocking.

It's enough right?! Anyone else trying to cut down?

I haven't cut back so much as made sure that everything I'm buying is wanted and will be used so I try not to buy any tat/fillers/novelty items. This has probably actually cost me more money wise.

However our dc don't really get any other presents so I am aware that we perhaps spend more than others (but not ridiculous amounts!)

I havent cut back on the budget or amount of gifts but this year i have only brought things that i know they will use and have avoided senseless buying i.e last year i brought a crystal tree and it lasted a day before i was fed up with it and once the crystals had formed my son was bored with it and the hatching (in water) dinosaurs that were derformed and felt sticky so couldnt be played with. I used them as stocking gifts and am avoiding all of that.
I like seeing a good pile of presents, i remember having a big sack full and enjoyed every last minute of pulling them out and opening them so want the same for my children.

Yes...but it hasn't worked and I think has actually made me buy more

Working in central London and the shops still being open when I leave work is becoming a big problem!

As with others, I wouldn't say I've necessarily cut down over all but this year is all things that are good quality and wanted/needed. This has been increasingly the case over the last couple of years anyway but I've completely avoided any kind of novelty or tat this year, which has made stockings trickier but is easier on my conscience. For OH's stocking I've gone almost completely food and toiletries.

I was a spoilt brat child who got everything for Christmas and I've struggled to try cut down for my own without feeling like I've somehow "failed" at the whole present thing 🤔

I've managed to cut down a fair bit this year but it's still more than we need/want.

DS chose a bike (that he's been riding around on for 6 weeks already) as his old one was beyond repair and he uses it daily for school. I'm really struggling not to replace this as a main gift, I did consider a Samsung tablet but I don't know if he'd actually use it so I might chip in with him after Christmas if he wants one.

I've told my older 2 (age 10 and 11) that there will be less "stuff" this year and that they will be having things that are really wanted, really appreciated (because it's something they really want), and really used/played with. Their dad and his gf got them FOUR sackfuls of presents tat last year and I refuse to buy that quantity or quality. I don't need to buy my children's affections.

Stockings are the remit of Father Christmas and usually contain chocolate and sweets and a soft toy.

I have got them things off their lists that I know they really want and have wanted for a while so I know it's not a fad.

It's so easy to get carried away. I've got a budget this year and have stuck to it.

Good on you OP for not succumbing to mountains of tat.

I’ve tried but fallen a bit short.

DH and I have gone way over budget on each other, but instead of buying gifts that don’t quite hit the spot, we’ve spent a lot more on stuff we actually want and will get use out of.

I’ve bought with an eye towards sustainability this year. More experience and virtual gifts, and where I’ve bought “things” it’s been from companies with sound ethics, or small craft suppliers. Not everything by any means, but more than before. It’s been more expensive though.

My weak point is the dc. I’ve got less than previous years, but not so much that they’ll notice. I think I’ve changed my philosophy and focus over the last 18 months but they’ve not caught up. I’ve massively decluttered our house but their rooms are overflowing. I don’t want to inflict my principles on them, regardless of how right they feel to me (hangovers from a controlling parent) but hopefully lead by example and I think they are starting to become a bit more aware. They’re still very much enthralled to plastic. And I’m still enthralled to ideas about Christmas!

I think this year is baby steps. Hopefully by next year we’ll all be making better choices.

I'm teetering between the two still tbh! I'd decided to get another present each but then read an article by George monbiot about Xmas excess which has cemented my resolve to not buy more stuff that they likely won't care about.

As you say, alana baby steps...but we all have to start somewhere right?

A new dilemma for me is whether to do my own stocking (dh cant cope) or to leave stockings for adults (my favourite part..)

I'm doing my own stocking but am still feeling conflicted about presents. Am pondering getting some fun clothes for dc too but am also trying to sit on my hands! All they really want is our attention...

I tried to this year, however I've ended up spending more on my children's "main present" but there will definitely be less volume this year. With family, we've all decided to do Secret Santa which is a relief. I just want to be able to chill out and not stress about all the Christmas shopping so I am definitely cutting down on buying presents just for the sake of wrapping something up! I am not buying lots of "Christmassy" food either.