How many gifts per child as they get older?

[Giveemtheoldrazzledazzle]

I feel like this is such a stupid thing to ask and I do feel quite embarrassed but I just need to ask opinions.
I have two boys who are almost teen and almost 16 and the things that they would like for Christmas are very expensive.
They will have their main ask each which are both more in cost than I would have spent on their whole lot of presents when they were younger. I have also picked out three things each for them that they’ve not asked for but that I know they would like and they’re nice items not tat.
They will both have a stocking each too which I put their favourite snacks, novelty gum and an Uber eats gift voucher and then small card type games (like sneaky cards for my eldest and kids against maturity for youngest), a fun book each, max libs for youngest, escape room puzzle book for eldest, fun mindfulness workbooks aimed at their ages, shoe ninjas, cheap version of air bud things and then a couple of little novelty bits. I love making their stockings! Went off on a tangent there!
Anyway my question is, are four gifts each enough for tree presents?
They’re truly lovely and I know they’ll be grateful and love what they’re getting but is it a bit stingy?!

I'm sure they will be thrilled with what you have got them! All sounds great!

Kids things do get more expensive as they get older. I have a 14yo DS and his dad is getting him one present as it is a figure costing £50! He is getting our DD 3 presents - a baby doll, doll bed and doll play mat as he can get all 3 for under £50!

@Giveemtheoldrazzledazzle - what are the mindfulness books you got, please?

We've never counted 🤷‍♀️ We've bought what we thought, or knew, that child wanted. We have a spend guide but it's not set in stone. Stockings are pretty much the same but appropriate to the individual and their current likes.

No complaints so far and they're 22, 20 and 19 so we're happy with our choices.

I find these types of threads can get so competetive with people trying to gift the least amount.

Everybody has different financial situations or budgets. If you want to give your child 20 plus gifts or spend 700£ plus (random figure) go for it. If you only do 4 gifts and spend 100£ that's fine to.

I really never put a value on what I spend, if I can afford it I buy it. There has been years they have had less and years there has been loads. But me and dp work really hard for our money and I'm sure as hell not purposely giving less presents because it seems tacky, or spoilt. But I would also never judge someone who gifts less (ok maybe I would a little if I knew it was someone who could afford it but insisted thier child only have one gift and that the gift is educational 🤣)

@UndertheCedartree

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1787835375?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

@UndertheCedartree this one is aimed at 7-11 but my 12 yo will love it still

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1787836088?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

@UndertheCedartree this one for my eldest

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1785030779?ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Graphics cards are so expensive!! My 2 had more expensive gifts last year so I’ve said this year, I will be spending less. They are happy. They will still get presents (a few things to open), but I want us to spend a lovely day together. They’ll probably be fighting by midday and dh will probably have dropped the turkey again - but doesn’t hurt to dream!

This year they are 18 and 15 and want more supportive, I hate to use the term gaming chair but that is what they are marketed under, what they really are are lumbar supportive, completely adjustable office chairs. They are getting one each. They have had their current ones for years and the supportive foam has totally died.

That is basically it. They understand cost, we don't have a budget per se, we are lucky to save and afford stuff. ie Ds1 has just started uni so he got a new laptop but is doing computer science so that was over £1k back in August.

They get a stocking from Father Christmas and gifts from relatives that we see, but they are £10 or £20 maximum gifts. We will get them small items that they need/want so a book, a hat etc for putting under the tree.

We have never been a pile it high family.

Should have said they are being used at the desks they do their homework/assignments at which also happen to have their gaming PCs on. They do spend quite a bit of time in them, including when they take a break and play guitar.

My boys asked for a switch lite £200 so they are getting that and a couple of games and that's it

They need to understand it's a expensive gift and money doesn't grow on trees

1 gift is enough...

As parents I think you should be teaching your children to be grateful for the things they have/get...and not be spoiled.

Do you have loads of family members who give your DC presents? “1 present” is often touted by those whose family buy gifts too and forget some people don’t have other family.

For my Christmases, I got 1 present from parents, 2 from aunts, 1 from older cousin, and 1 from Santa

(Yea, I know I know, technically this counts as 2 from parents I guess.)

@JennyDune

1 gift is enough...

As parents I think you should be teaching your children to be grateful for the things they have/get...and not be spoiled.

You can recueve more than 1 gift and still be grateful.

You can also have more than one gift and not be spoilt.

If a parent can afford it, and they want to spend the money and the children appreciate and are grateful and dont demand or expect expensive gifts what is wrong with more than one gift.

There is also a big difference between spoiling a child at key times and a spoilt child who acts out.

Its no one else's business how many gifts your child receives or how you spend your money.

I never understand the competitive give your child as little as possible mentality so e mums meters throw about. Like you are somehow a better parent because your child only had one gift or you only follow the ridiculous present rhyme.

I have only a vague plan, no number of items to work to and no specific budget.

They have no list and no idea what they want, they rarely ask for items.

Their main presents will be experiences not things, that’s usually what I do. One year we bought them a holiday. This year one is getting classes and the other is getting an adventure day.