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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

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Original poster

Oh god, I’ve over done it.

77 replies

MegRo · 20/12/2020 22:50

Has anyone ever started early, felt really proud of them for having it together, then come
December pulled everything out and felt a little bit of shame?

I have one child. Just one. And enough presents for half of England. Is she going to be a brat? Overwhelmed?

What are your experiences? Any advice? (Other than to get a grip and stop buying toys!!)

OP posts:

HoneysuckIejasmine · 20/12/2020 22:51

Put some away for her birthday.

SpamIAm · 20/12/2020 22:54

I can beat that - I've done that for one child and not the other 😬 he's only 1 so he'll neither know nor care but I'm hoping she won't think he hasn't got much because he's been naughty 😂

TwnklTwnklLittleStarfighter · 20/12/2020 22:55

Yeah, every year . I end up sending some of it back and keeping some for spring birthday.

Don’t sweat it

PinGwyn · 20/12/2020 22:55

I think we've all done it at some point!

Agree with pp - put a few bits away for her birthday.

Original poster

MegRo · 20/12/2020 22:55

@SpamIAm than god it’s not just me! Luckily no sibling rivalry in this house, but I am worried the in laws will have a moment of judgement!

@HoneysuckIejasmine I think you’re probably bang on the money.

OP posts:

AIMD · 20/12/2020 22:56

Put some away for another time or you think there’s too much. Save them for birthday gifts for other kids parties or your child’s birthday.

I find my kids were overwhelmed by presents the year they had loads from my parents and it felt like we spent who whole day unwrapping.

CandyLeBonBon · 20/12/2020 22:56

Why don't you keep one or two back and donate them to a local charity for children who won't get much of anything?

Imiss2019 · 20/12/2020 22:57

I haven’t pulled everything out yet but I’ve definitely blown the budget this year (didn’t even start that early). I’ve rationalised it by thinking about everything the kids have missed out on and money I haven’t had to spend on them this year. We had a big holiday planned and DS1 had his trip to America with school cancelled. They’ve been great about the whole thing too so sod it I say!

Original poster

MegRo · 20/12/2020 23:02

@CandyLeBonBon that’s such a lovely idea- every year I try to find somewhere to donate toys to. Plenty of food banks, but knowing where to donate toys is a struggle!

@AIMD I think some of it is going to have to be put away. Poor child won’t know where to start.

@Imiss2019 you’re absolutely right. They deserve that little extra this year. Her dad is all for it. Wants to just throw in the kitchen sink for good measure but I think we might pop some in a cupboard for another time!

OP posts:

CandyLeBonBon · 20/12/2020 23:03

@MegRo if you're in the south east I know there are some radio campaigns with info?

FenEel · 20/12/2020 23:03

A few times I have found I couldn’t fit everything into the stocking. I held the extra stuff back for presents for other children throughout the year. Apart from stockings we do one main present from us and one from sibling, so it’s not possible to over buy there!

Original poster

MegRo · 20/12/2020 23:05

@CandyLeBonBon ah thank you, sadly I’m in the south west!

@FenEel I hadn’t really thought about other people’s birthdays. Definitely an idea!

OP posts:

Aquamarine1029 · 20/12/2020 23:08

When I was 4, my mother went off the rails buying me, an only child, presents for Christmas. She said my dad had gotten a huge raise that year, and for the first time they were very comfortable financially. It wasn't until Christmas morning when she realised how OTT she went. We have a picture of me standing in front of an absolute mountain of toys with a very confused look on my face. We laugh about it every year. 😁

It's been a shit year, I say enjoy it and go bonkers.

KeyboardWorriers · 20/12/2020 23:09

We have quite a lot from family and friends as well so I am going to get the elves to be naughty and open a couple of the board games early so the children can enjoy playing them in the build up to Christmas

JingsMahBucket · 20/12/2020 23:09

@MegRo I’d return any purchases you can to the companies to save some money. January is usually hard on people financially and who knows what 2021 will bring.

Snally82 · 20/12/2020 23:09

My OH used to give HUGE piles on presents so his little girl. Then one year she counted then and declared she only had 24 (aged 5) - needless to say lots of work has been put in since to rectify. It was a hard slog!

Vivarium · 20/12/2020 23:11

I pretty much always do this. It's the urge to make Christmas really "special" for the kids, coupled with the fact that we are pretty much the only people who actually buy for them (their grandparents are not present buyers).

My own grandparents loved Christmas almost obsessively, and there was always a whole pile of presents for us from them. It made a real difference when I was a kid, and I want my kids to have the same in their childhood. I don't think kids get spoilt by being given lots of presents at Christmas. Spoiling is more a matter of attitude.

This year I don't even feel bad about it. They have missed out on so much.

Imiss2019 · 20/12/2020 23:11

In fairness mine are teenagers so gifts get more expensive so although I’ve spent a lot the piles aren’t huge.

I do miss the days when you could go mad in the Early Learning Centre and come away with a truck load for £100!!

WeatherwaxOn · 20/12/2020 23:18

Just discovered that I have bought DC two copies of the same book for Christmas.
May have to regift one (shall ask a friend tomorrow if they think their DC might like it - I can leave it on their doorstep)

Sweettea1 · 20/12/2020 23:46

Far to much in this house like you started early only when it came to wrapping i realised how much there is I've worked hard for it an they will get it all on Xmas if you can't spoil them on Christmas when ya can?

Chilver · 20/12/2020 23:52

I could have written your exact post!!! DH and I had the same conversation tonight as we started wrapping .

We have put some away for her birthday (Feb) and thought 'sod it' to the rest, she's had a tough year and we are just wrapping them. To be honest, its also due to family for the first time asking us to buy her presents too on their behalf so she has 4 more toys that she wouldn't normally have (they are a bit hit and miss usually with presents)

sortmylifeoutplease · 21/12/2020 00:51

When I went mad on gifts, I used to stagger it so they didn't open it all on the same day. Stuff they unwrapped but didn't look that interested in got swiftly taken away to exchange or regift (although harder at moment as no kids parties). Some stuff I'd keep back for later in the year or birthday or a little gift for them on a sibling's birthday.

Scanner20 · 21/12/2020 08:38

I started mega early this year as it helped in lockdown to think ahead to better times coming. Although I saved loads of money and got quite a bit for family and friends, it also gave me more time to think about the gifts.
Lucky I have lots of younger kids and they are not too worried about latest toys etc.
So I did get quite a bit for my two dc and when I came to wrap I was the same. I've donated to charity anyway more this year and gifted toys, vouchers etc. Sold old toys and given some to family.

I'm going with it, I'll spread it out over a few days. They've overplayed so much in lockdown too and both need some fresh toys to play. It's the most I've ever done tbh and couldn't care.. now we will be home the whole holiday too!

Hophop26 · 21/12/2020 08:44

Far too much here too OP, you are not alone!! I blame the lack of real life shopping, having to carry the shopping bags instead of a parcel being delivered to the door is far better at containing the purchases!

RandomMess · 21/12/2020 09:02

We used to Santa/Santa delivered presents on Christmas Day. Then those from friends and family we didn't see on Boxing Day.

Much more civilised.

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