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Christmas

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

Original poster

Can't stop buying!

55 replies

BunTooti · 20/12/2021 09:40

I started buying early for the kids and I just haven't stopped.
I've gone from thinking DS didn't have enough to now thinking he probably has too much. I'm still waiting on 3 things to be delivered. I'm absolutely done now, no really, I am!

Anyone else?

OP posts:
Billyliarohdear · 20/12/2021 09:51

I sorted all DC's gifts last night and I've gone from thinking I hadn't bought enough to thinking I've got too much ( DD 32 gifts DS 30). Some of the gifts are selection boxes or things that would usually go in their stockings ( but they're filled up now with stuffGrin) but still I think they've got enough.
I just need to go into town to get that onsie DD was looking at last week...
And possibly a new bag for DS...

Samanabanana · 20/12/2021 10:05

That is an insane amount of stuff to buy! Shock

Notajogger · 20/12/2021 10:10

That's mad. Save some for birthdays?!

TheFairPrincess · 20/12/2021 10:15

I understand. My kids had got absolutely loads especially for my 6 year old who has everything on her list. Yet I keep thinking of extra things I know they'd like and am having to restrain myself.

It is helping me to put down these ideas on my spreadsheet for next year!

Snowmanuel · 20/12/2021 10:16

@Samanabanana

That is an insane amount of stuff to buy! Shock
How do you know how much it is? Have I missed a post?
Snowmanuel · 20/12/2021 10:17

Oh forgive me, you were replying to the comment above.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 20/12/2021 10:18

I over bought in the sales but put some aside for birthdays

Snowmanuel · 20/12/2021 10:18

My son has five presents (a toy kitchen, wooden food, dressing gown, slippers and a doll) and a stocking of tiny little things.

GiraffeDancer · 20/12/2021 10:34

I keep thinking that the kids presents are uneven, and that one looks much more/more expensive than the other, so I buy something else to even it up, then think it’s too far the other way, so buy a little something else for the first again, etc etc 🤦‍♀️. I know it’s ridiculous! They each have 2 biggish presents from Santa plus a stocking, then a main present from us, and 6 small presents from us. I know it’s enough (or more than!) but I just love buying them stuff!

Borracha · 20/12/2021 10:35

I totally get how easy it is to go overboard, but honestly, there's no point. It's a waste of money, waste of plastic, waste of time etc.

Your kids can't miss out on something they didn't know they weren't going to get!

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 20/12/2021 10:36

I would have a pre Christmas clear out…

FlowerArranger · 20/12/2021 10:37

Can you donate the 'excess' to charity?

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 20/12/2021 11:00

I honestly don't think they can appreciate 30-32 gifts. I agree with PPs, put some away for birthdays (your own. DCs or use for other children) or the Salvation Army are often collecting gifts for children who otherwise would get nothing. I overheard someone in the hairdressers say they had got the children 5 selection boxes each. The salon was filled with an uncomfortable silence.

JisForJellyfish · 20/12/2021 11:13

You won't be the only one!
Amused how others are suggesting you keep some back with no idea how much you've bought, what/whether it's all toys, if they get much year round or if others buy for them.
It's the stockings I'm most worried about, I have no idea it is actually all going to fit. They'll either be stuffed or overflowing. At this point, what did I do last night?! Order some more lego for stockings because I saw some minifigures they'd really like on ebay. There's a chance they might not even arrive in time, risky time to be ordering things for a Christmas delivery via regular post!
They're already getting a lego set under the tree and a polybag in stockings.... something fundamentally wrong with me.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 20/12/2021 11:27

Amused how others are suggesting you keep some back with no idea how much you've bought,

The second poster said they had 30-32 gifts per child , plus a full stocking, and still buying more. Obviously people can do what they like but when you post on a public forum you are inviting opinions, which aren't necessarily going to be the same as your own.

Agree that if the stocking is full of stuff they need like pants, aocks , bath foam etc then fair enough. No, they haven't said whether the children get anything the rest of the year, but hard to believe someone would buy their child 30+ Christmas presents and no birthday presents or Easter Eggs or a toy when on holiday etc. I just don't think they can possibly appreciate that much in one go.

I feel so sorry for parents reading threads like this in bits because they are struggling to feed their DCs, let alone buy Christmas presents.

1WeekTillChristmas · 20/12/2021 11:28

I guess it depends if they get other presents too and what the presents are

Are there things like, Making sets, Clothes, Books etc or are they literally all toys?

Gonnagetgoing · 20/12/2021 11:41

Me too! Have tried to curb but it's all for DNephew, DM and DSIL (DB's DW).

With some presents they stay in a gift drawer until next year if I don't want to overwhelm people. I just loving buying and can afford to buy gifts!

Lovemusic33 · 20/12/2021 12:55

Keep some back for birthdays.

I have capped mine at 20 gifts each, most are small useful things other than their main present.

Luckily they both have birthdays not long after Christmas so if I see anything else it will be put back for birthdays.

It is easy to get carried away, I love seeing things and thinking “oh…dd would love that” so I buy it 🤣. I have been more careful this year as the DC’s are older and we don’t have much room for random stuff.

DeepaBeesKit · 20/12/2021 13:40

These people buying lots of stuff for their DC, do your DC not get anything from an aunt or uncle or grandparent?

My DC get:
Stocking of little bits (sweets, a torch, top trumps game, socks etc).
1 "main" present eg this year one is getting a scooter
Then smaller gifts from grandparents (£30-40) and aunt/uncle (c. £15).

Fallagain · 20/12/2021 14:11

When I feel like this I start a list of ideas so I can come back at look at them for their birthdays.

Lovemusic33 · 20/12/2021 14:13

@DeepaBeesKit

These people buying lots of stuff for their DC, do your DC not get anything from an aunt or uncle or grandparent?

My DC get:
Stocking of little bits (sweets, a torch, top trumps game, socks etc).
1 "main" present eg this year one is getting a scooter
Then smaller gifts from grandparents (£30-40) and aunt/uncle (c. £15).

Mine only get cash from grandparents, nothing from aunties and uncles. They probably get 3 gifts other than what I buy (usually selection boxes and/or cash).
salemcat · 20/12/2021 14:24

I always go OTT, but we can afford it, DC aren't spoilt with it & never expect gifts.

salemcat · 20/12/2021 14:26

@DeepaBeesKit

These people buying lots of stuff for their DC, do your DC not get anything from an aunt or uncle or grandparent?

My DC get:
Stocking of little bits (sweets, a torch, top trumps game, socks etc).
1 "main" present eg this year one is getting a scooter
Then smaller gifts from grandparents (£30-40) and aunt/uncle (c. £15).

My DC don't get from aunt/uncle. Only 1 srt of grandparents now & they get cash from them.
GarnishedOwl · 20/12/2021 14:29

I always go absolutely bonkers and spend loads and I don't care what anyone else thinks about that!

I can afford it so if you can too OP then do what you like

TableSetting · 20/12/2021 14:33

I use an app called ‘Santas Bag’ which makes it easier to keep track of spending and stops me making some impulse purchases. My recipients list has 3 for each person DS, DS Stocking and DS Birthday so I can group them together.
Means I have a better idea of what has been bought and easier to move some presents to the birthday list when I’ve overspent and I don’t forget them. I also use if to add ideas during the year.
Took a bit of getting used to but I wouldn’t be without it.