Gone overboard... Please say I’m not the only one?!

[ACanOfBeans]

My children usually get about 10 presents each, plus a stuffed stocking. This year it’s 17 and a stuffed stocking.
I’m starting to feel bad for spoiling, I went a bit overboard because I’m anticipating a lockdown Christmas and wanted this one to be a little bigger than usual. Has anyone else gone overboard this year/ plan to?

Yes same. Because it’s been a tough year I wanted to make it fun. I’m trying to buy things I know whey really want and not just any crap but I have purchased more than usual.

I wouldn't worry about it. 2020 hasn't been an ordinary year. One day of excess won't make your children spoilt. Just don't spend more than you can afford.

I'm having to stop myself buying more now. But that's because my DS is very young and I don't want to overwhelm him. If he was older I could easily get to 17 presents!

My downfall is always stockings. Usually happens in December.
It's already happening.

I'm the same!

Yes, I have spent more than I intended to on DS It's affordable and I'm not going to worry about it!

I find it's always so hard not too! It's so fun buying them presents and the thought of them opening them. It's been a weird and tough year for everyone especially children. It will be a lovely end to the year for them :)

You're worried you've bought too much and it's only October?? How will you resist adding to it with so many weeks left to go?

As long as you can afford it, does it really matter?

I’m glad I’m not the only one who has gone overboard! You’re all right, this year is a hard one and spoiling them is a bit more acceptable this year!

Stockings are so easy to over fill.

I’m usually done by mid-October and refrain from buying more so I’m sure I’ll manage. I haven’t got into debt or anything over them, but I’m conscious it’s a lot of presents which is more where my concern is.

I haven't done that many presents each, but have noticed that this year the presents I've started buying are a lot more expensive than I normally buy

Amazon prime day isn’t helping the cause 🤣

If you think it’s too many then you could put some away for next year?

@Emma10702

Amazon prime day isn’t helping the cause 🤣

Same

I feel like I've gone overboard, even though I haven't really 12 presents and around 15 items for the stocking, except it is overboard as they are so spoilt by family. On the plus side its not stacks of toys, a lot of it is craft kits, books, onsie etc

Steady yourselves, people. We haven't got to Black Friday yet!! 😂

I've expanded their budgets this year too
3 DS's 19,23,26. and starting online now to spread the costs
Just hoping I get to see them open them all in Person

I can't afford to go overboard this year! I've got a list and struggling to stick to it with all these deals, so tempting to add a few extra stocking fillers here and there but all these bits add up 😅 I am going overboard on other christmassy activities though- home baking, crafty stuff etc as we already have a lot of the stuff needed

I'm not going overboard on ds presents but I am with activities for December as we will be in lock down by then so I want to make it as fun as possible. I've bought a lovely gingerbread house kit from Lake Land and lots of Christmas baking bits and bobs. I've completly topped up the christmas crafts basket so ds won't be board over December.

Yes
One DS8 and 2020 has been pretty rubbish, plus likely to be locked down or close to it all winter. He’s into Lego so we’re getting him lots including Diagon Alley which is a fortune. We will all enjoy building it all though- DH likes Lego too.

You know more stuff doesn't equal an improved Christmas. I really think there is a tipping point where it just stops giving any added benefit. I e seen my kids overwhelmed and treating their gifts like nothing when they had too much in front of them.

Sorry, my point was to be...spend money on any sort of experience you can rather than going over that bellcurve of gifts.

I haven’t....yet. We’re planning on doing a bit more than normal this year (planning on a joint games console we wouldn’t normally do) because we’re aware that they probably won’t get their Christmas fairs, visits to Father Christmas etc and less time with family. We’re in the north west so likely we won’t even get to see our families at all. I’m happy to spoil a bit this year.

I always go overboard, Dd is the only child and only grandchild so she always gets a tonne. There is absolutely no need, she is undemanding and her favourite toy is always the one (normally inexpensive) gift she actually asked for, quill with ink, wax seal set, one year a selection of gaffa tape another year a big roll of bubble wrap. I'm trying to learn to rein it in after having hundreds of pounds worth of toys going unplayed with over the years, my fault as she never asked for them and they were what I thought she should have instead of what she actually wanted.

Plus my eldest is now at an age where this could be our last year believing in Father Christmas so we plan to make it special

I can't even think of a Single thing my ds's want. I just bought FIFA 21 x box for Ds2, for his birthday. That now leaves me with zero ideas.

How the heck have you got 17?

@Happyspud

You know more stuff doesn't equal an improved Christmas. I really think there is a tipping point where it just stops giving any added benefit. I e seen my kids overwhelmed and treating their gifts like nothing when they had too much in front of them.

I would normally agree, but this year a distraction from not being able to do a lot of what they might normally could be welcome. I'm not talking hundreds of presents, but 17 like the OP suggests isn't that bad at all, and shouldn't overwhelm any child.