Oh god, I’ve over done it.

[MegRo]

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!!)

I can't believe people buy so much that they can't even remember what they've bought or where they've put it! If you can't even remember all you've bought, your children will probably have so much that they won't really appreciate and remember all you've bought either.

Grandchildren. OH said no plastic crap so I sourced clothes, educational games. Then grandpa came shopping to Smyth's OMG you should see the crap he enjoyed buying 😅😅😅😅

Keep at least one for Boxing Day. My mum did this back in the day and it was hugely popular (was usually a game or a new Malory Towers book).

I suppose it depends what "overboard" means. If it's more than say 10 presents more than you'd usually do, then yes maybe hold them back.

If it's fewer than 10 extra, I say crack on. 2020 has been crap and it won't hurt them!

@justasking111 this made me smile, love that!

I feel this way too. We had a second child this year and I think the fact that the number of presents has doubled, has thrown me off.
Also we usually visit different family members over a week or so and open a few presents each day, whereas this year they've all sent the presents to us so it looks like tonnes.

I have this in reverse. I felt like I'd been stashing loads away but when I pulled it all out it did not look that impressive compared to every other year. I have the twitch but no funds. I feel like hiding until the whole sorry saga is over. If I have disappointed kids (again!) this year I think it might just finish me off. Feel like all it's been is sacrifices

@VictoriasCousin

I have this in reverse. I felt like I'd been stashing loads away but when I pulled it all out it did not look that impressive compared to every other year. I have the twitch but no funds. I feel like hiding until the whole sorry saga is over. If I have disappointed kids (again!) this year I think it might just finish me off. Feel like all it's been is sacrifices

I’m sure they won’t be disappointed but I know how you feel, my dc’s don’t have loads to open but I’m sure they will love what I have got them, I could buy more but there’s nothing they really want or need. Dd2 has ASD and much prefers experiences to gifts (only so much Lego I can get her) so I would rather save my money for the summer when I can take her horse riding or pay for some days out.

@Scanner20

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!

That's a good point actually.. Probably never have they relied on their old toys so much. And to be fair, I haven't really bought them anything since a few panic purchases during the first lockdown.

Yes, another person who thinks they may have gone slightly overboard.. It was more that I bought early, then saw another present one of my DC would love so then had to buy something for the other one!

@ProfessorInkling

I’ve overdone it a little but with lots of practical things, books clothes cosy blankets nice lights - my kids have had a crap year like so many, so fuck it 👍🏻

Same as me. Mine have lots to open but I don’t buy them ANYTHING between end of summer hols and Christmas so if they need a new hairbrush, swimming costume, knickers etc... in it goes! In amongst the pile there’s only actually a couple of toys. This is what my mum always did for us and I was just as happy opening a bottle of shampoo as a dvd or game

I do this every year. My dc is not a brat. They've never been overwhelmed. In fact I'll say my dc is simply happy until about March 😂 when they've finally gotten through the toys. And then I start to dig out the ones which haven't been played with since Christmas ...

I have done the same. I had to take away half for her birthday, last year she has so much she cried and refused to open anymore presents. Doh!

Victoriascousin Its been a tough year financially for us too, like many people. You're not alone. I don't think this thread is representative of most families and anyway why compare? A good Christmas day doesn't solely pend on an "impressive" number of presents. I'm sure your dc have presents they will love and thats enough, as well as some family time playing some games and being together.

If you can bear going to tesco on Christmas eve, the seasonal aisle is always full of half price selection boxes, chocolate Santas and the like. Last year I got some big Lindt chocolate reindeers for 50p each. I bulk out stockings with those.

I hope you can relax and enjoy the day too.

I'm not having a dig at others on this thread who have gone a little overboard This year has been shit so I understand the temptation to splurge on your dc.

I’ve accidentally bought to much for dd7, probably as she’s so easy to buy for as she likes everything! I’m trying to decide what to keep for her birthday in March.

I have, for some reason, bought far too much wrapping paper. I brought it all out from the various places I stashed it and I reckon we won’t need to buy any more until at least 2025 (no exaggeration).

As others have said, keep some for her birthday, but also it could be quite a long January and February. How lovely on a random Tuesday afternoon when it’s too cold and wet to go out for a walk...again to be able to open a present and sit and read it/play with it.

It’s been a difficult year, if you can afford it then why not?
We always buy lots for our girls, this year has been no exception. I’ve done most of it online so only when it comes to wrapping do you realise how much there is!

Dont feel bad! It's so easy to go overboard, especially this year. My daughter was 3 last year, and we definitely overwhelmed her. Put some aside if you are worried, maybe spread them out throughout the day. But I remember having a massive sack full of presents on Christmas day, my mum also went over board.. still does!! And I loved it! I remember being so excited.
I've been better this year. I spent a lot on her main presents from FC, shes getting Buzz, Woody and Jessie.
So I made sure I didnt spend much else. I wrapped her new water bottle and new trainers as this was all stuff she needed. I am that mum that's like 'oh you need a new toothbrush? Wait for Christmas.'

Normally the fact that DS has his birthday close to Christmas and lots of family who buy for him resulting in many presents drives me potty but this year I am so glad he will have lots of new toys to get through the cold, dark lockdown.

I do the same. I have 4 kids and I'm not rich but I love doing it for them and seeing their faces. My parents did it for me as a kid and it was amazing. I have put a few things away for one child's birthday as it's just after Christmas cos her pile had a bit more than the others. Most other parents I know buy loads for their kids at Christmas.

@TwnklTwnklLittleStarfighter I've finally finished the wrapping paper I bought in 2018 😬 definitely overestimated how much I needed!

How old is she? I'd spread the gifts out - pjs or a cuddly toy if you've got them on Christmas Eve. Stocking before breakfast, main present(s) after breakfast, some more after lunch and then keep some for Boxing day!

We've done this. Started purchasing in May! I've never started shopping so early but we were stuck indoors, bored and decided to plan for Christmas. Gone way over budget, and that's only because we spread out the cost over 7 months instead of the usual 3-4 months🤦‍♀️ I'm not holding anything back for birthdays. My DC have a shit year too and we've gone into another lockdown (I'm in Wales) so thing will get played with and used, that's my thinking anyways.

I like the idea of spreading out the presents or keeping a few back, particularly if she is very little.

Think how much more appreciated a new playmobil set (or whatever) would be if you gave it to her on a rainy boring afternoon in February and you spend a fun afternoon setting it up with her.

If you have a huge pile of presents and that same playmobil set was the 18th thing she opened, it would be tossed aside and the enjoyment lost somewhat.

Sorry if I sound like a grinch but that's what I'd do if I thought I'd bought too much.

I second the idea of keeping back a few for random days, particularly with what's looming after Christmas.

A surprise on (yet another) dreary January or February lockdown weekend would probably bring much more joy than having a handful more presents than they originally would have had on Christmas morning.