Presents when overflowing with toys

JeVoudrais · 2021-09-05T21:37:34+00:00

What do you suggest when people ask what to get your DC for Christmas, when your cupboards are overflowing with toys they've not even grown into yet? It feels so wasteful to have even more stuff accumulate. And why do people insist on buying massive presents for children so small they won't even understand, I don't get it! [confused]

Findahouse21 · 05/09/2021 22:40

We're asking for contributions to an annual pass to a local attraction. Could also ask for vouchers for lessons /clarkes /John Lewis to put towards next sized car seat etc

Original poster

JeVoudrais · 05/09/2021 22:42

Oooh that's a good idea! Do you think people would frown if I suggested a contribution to something like a National Trust membership?

I worry people would think that's really rude. But right now I want to say not to get DC anything because we just don't need it. Doesn't help that it was only their birthday in July, and people really are asking about what to get for Christmas now..!

OP posts:

jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey · 05/09/2021 22:45

Money towards annual pass
Bookshop vouchers
Money towards a slide or swing
Money towards an experience ( horse riding)
Zoo voucher

BillMasheen · 05/09/2021 22:46

We ask for tickets, experiences or season passes.

Eg English heritage membership for a year, a Session at Go Ape or tickets to go see a pantomime or something.

Works well

DelurkingAJ · 05/09/2021 22:48

Clothing, books, when older sports kit (pop up football nets, cricket gloves etc), magazine subscription (DS1 has Beano from DGM).

Stompythedinosaur · 05/09/2021 23:07

Swimming towel/toys/bag
Duvet set
Craft stuff that will be used up
Clothes/pjs with a favourite character on
Promise of a day out in the future

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 05/09/2021 23:09

I hate being asked for money or vouchers. I’d be happy to buy something that’s not a toy so crafts, puzzle books, dvd etc.

LowlyTheWorm · 05/09/2021 23:13

Things that get used up- play doh, craft stuff, water bottle, etc. If you are asking for money towards something I’d be happy with that but always like a wee something to wrap up too…
Books, bedding, soft play tickets, hobby equipment or clothing.

kittenkipping · 05/09/2021 23:18

Sadly I've found that my family are unwilling to give money and vouchers and happy to contribute to waste and unnecessary crap. They want something to wrap. I'd like them (and now dc are tweens they would too) to give vouchers for experience, tickets, food and money. Or nothing but love and a game of charades.

If nothing else the glorification of constant toys teaches the wrong thing. I've spent my children's lives teaching them that experiences are worth more than things and yet come Christmas and birthdays the whole of society undermines that.

RedToothBrush · 05/09/2021 23:56

Just say no. Remove things as soon as theyve gone to bed to regift/sell if this failures.

Half the time if they have a shedload of toys they wont even notice.

Have no shame in doing it if you asked for vouchers / cash.

Guineapigbridge · 06/09/2021 00:00

They give massive toys because they look impressive and generous wrapped up. Even if it's mostly packaging.
I don't think you can change others. Just buy less yourself and leave them to do what they do.

Guineapigbridge · 06/09/2021 00:02

Christmas makes me stressed and sad for this very reason by the way. All that unnecessary plastic pouring into landfill and leaching into waterways and the sea. I can't think about it too much.

SandwichDistraction · 06/09/2021 01:44

We have asked for vouchers for cinema, annual pass for local attraction etc. in the past. We have also asked for fun useful things like character PJ’s or duvet sets.

This year each side of the family are clubbing together to get one joint present that is joint for both children. So my 1 and 4yr old will be getting a Yoto Player with some cards from their dad’s family (grandma, 5 x husbands siblings) and a playmobil pirate ship and pirate island from my family (grandma, great grandma, auntie, 2 x great aunties). If anyone wants to get a small extra present to wrap they are going to get something that gets used up (bubble bath, sticker book, etc) but most of them seem happy with the joint big present.

My 4yr old has always been overwhelmed with two much stuff at birthdays and Christmas so two big presents, a stocking and then a present from us (we will get this once she has written her santa list) will be much better for her (and us!)

caringcarer · 06/09/2021 02:28

I have given my grandchildren an annual pass for Bristol zoo and the Wild place each year for the last 3 years. At the moment they love going every month. I shall be sorry when they get older and I have to think of f something else. Also they have indoor play centres and I know my dd has taken them when it has been wet just to go to indoor play centre.

NatriumChloride · 06/09/2021 02:49

@caringcarer

I have given my grandchildren an annual pass for Bristol zoo and the Wild place each year for the last 3 years. At the moment they love going every month. I shall be sorry when they get older and I have to think of f something else. Also they have indoor play centres and I know my dd has taken them when it has been wet just to go to indoor play centre.

You sound like a wonderful grandmother 🙂

Aorh · 06/09/2021 03:22

@caringcarer

I have given my grandchildren an annual pass for Bristol zoo and the Wild place each year for the last 3 years. At the moment they love going every month. I shall be sorry when they get older and I have to think of f something else. Also they have indoor play centres and I know my dd has taken them when it has been wet just to go to indoor play centre.

Is it too late for you to adopt me or my husband?

Last year, the GP went particularly mental. I just accepted it as an over compensation for lockdown but this year I really need to encourage less s*

AdriannaP · 06/09/2021 03:45

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss

I hate being asked for money or vouchers. I’d be happy to buy something that’s not a toy so crafts, puzzle books, dvd etc.

I can’t even tell you how much craft stuff we have though. DC had a birthday in July and I literally carried a bag of brand new pencils/felt pens/stickers etc to Oxfam the other day. She literally has 100s of pencils/crays/pens and stickers. Would never be able to use it all.

We also use the library twice a months so don’t need to fill the house with books.

Some great ideas here likr trip vouchers. I notice we also spend a lot of money on sports now so will ask for that eg swimming lessons/ballet/ etc

AdriannaP · 06/09/2021 03:46

Also DVDs: no more! We have Netflix and Prime, plenty if entertainment that doesn’t fill the house.

MojoJojo71 · 06/09/2021 04:45

How old are the children? My parents bought DD a beautiful personalised toy box a few years ago. It has her name on the front and then inside the lid an inscription. I think it cost about £120 and it’s a real keepsake but useful too.

twinningatlife · 06/09/2021 05:53

I generally suggest things like pyjamas etc - I keep a list on my phone of things my DC might need/want and then when someone asks I've got and answer ready (it's letting family go rogue and pick their own gifts when you end up with loads of random stuff!)

I put a ban on cuddly toys last year as it was getting ridiculously out of hand

Twilightstarbright · 06/09/2021 06:12

Can you do a big clear out and sell some toys?

I’m also quite specific about what DS wants- so rather than just playmobil I say playmobil set xxxxx to go with the farm set he already has.

Agree that experiences are much better than actual items.

Eileen101 · 06/09/2021 06:30

What about books? Some that they might not read now, but will grow into? People have brought my DC things like the roald dahl collection, Beatrix potter etc. My dad is an avid reader and loves to do this. Books can be passed on and on.
Also, I rotate things like jigsaws/games. If they're not played with at all, they go to the charity shop or to the baby bank in the next town. DS is learning that we take food to the food bank so I'm hoping that in turn he'll learn to pass on outgrown toys etc to others.

Original poster

JeVoudrais · 06/09/2021 06:58

Some lovely ideas all, thank you.

DD is only 1! I don't think we have anything worth getting rid of yet. She has lots of talking, interactive soft toy things people have bought which I think she will become more interested in over the next year or so. We have lots of lovely children's books. Lots of shape sorters, a pikler triangle, rocking horse, scuttlebug, trampoline etc.

She is too young for a zoo pass right now, that's free until she is 3. Craft supplies will probably be better when she is a bit older, she does lots of that at nursery currently so rather let them keep that level of mess for now!

I'd rather not ask for clothes, one of my neighbours loves buying her clothes and I won't get to buy her any myself otherwise. I really enjoy finding sale bargains and stashing them or when she grows into them.

OP posts:

RedToothBrush · 06/09/2021 07:17

If shes 1, books all the way. There are lots of wonderful picture books out there and 'keep safe' books, whether they be classic fiction or hardback large scale non fiction. We bought or requested lots of big non fiction books for DS when he was small even though they were for much older children. He used to read them just looking at the picture when he was very small and thats now starting to turn into him reading them by himself properly. Over lock down they were invaluable!

Eileen101 · 06/09/2021 07:26

Definitely books then op! Books for now - spot, Julia Donaldson, that's not my, anything with flaps or textures, bear hunt, etc
Books for later - Mr men, roald dahl, Peter rabbit (the original ones - abridged ones are good for now too), Paddington etc etc!