There is so much pressure to get the gifts right for the kids every year!

[Turquoisesol]

Suitably sized, priced, a few surprise ones, a larger more exciting one. Equal between children. I find it really quite stressful. I had a panic last night that I didn’t have enough and rushed out to get one last present. And it has been the biggest hit. Thank goodness I got it 😅

We're just giving this thread a bump for the OP (and nodding in agreement)

I’m the same! Also, I need to know… what was the extra gift?

Retro games console

Definitely understand where you are coming from OP - does it look enough, does it look equal between children and one larger exciting one. I get so stressed because they are hidden in different places. So I can really see what it looks like until I put it all out on Xmas eve.

Yes. I feel like this year we didn’t get it right for DS for the first time that it’s mattered (he’s 6). I went with the less is more, as that seemed to work well last year, but I think there were enough “hits” last year that it was still great. This year he got one or two “exciting toys” but other than that a lot of things without the wow factor - books, clothes (MIL insists on buying loads, no idea why as what 6 year old gets excited for clothes?), things I thought he would like such as Top Trumps, a key ring…but on reflection I don’t think we got it right. DH thinks I’m being silly!

Yes my eldest struggled this year he is getting to the age where toys are no longer wanted and he doesn’t really need anything. It was lots of books and clothes, but they are such dull gifts really. We get lots of books all the time from library so not particularly exciting as gifts.

I did a few last minute unexpected buys on the 23rd, I picked up 3 gifts from a charity shop, total £3, one was a dolls car seat, Minnie Mouse bag and giant hulk fist all an absolute smash 😆

One of my kids fav gifts was a mini can of sprite! When relatives asked what they got this was top of the list !

We had a chat last week about 'managing expectations'. I went for a shower to cover my tears last year when the gifts weren't quite right and - DC were being very ungrateful - I knew that family had bought items on the list that would be opened later in the day (single mum couldn't quite afford the very spendy list solo!) And DC were upset because they thought their lists had been ignored!
I like a list because then I have an idea for my budget but dislike it because DC then think they will get X Y or Z because it is on the list.
As DC get older and there is less changing of mind it is easier to share gift ideas with relatives. My Aunt would rather spend £20 on one thing that is wanted than waste the money on a selection box, an annual and pjs.
I seem to have made good choices this year :-)

I get this! This year the gifts were a little uneven I think on reflection. Dd1 got lots of stuff she loves but nothing WOW plus her pile looked smaller due to tinier presents that cost more! Dd2 i got lots of bits off olio, charity shops etc. Whereas dd1s interests are a little more niche so hard to find bargains on!

She would never show disappointment but I just feel bad. I think Christmas has been doubly disappointing as her sense of taste is still iffy since having covid so she can't enjoy all her favourite treats we only have at Christmas. Might need to save some treats up and do a special treat weekend in January time to make up for it for her!!

We never worried about equality especially not monetarily , it evens out over the years .

I read a thread about an OP's ungrateful and disappointed DS yesterday where the first response said something like "he didn't create all those expectations of Christmas himself", suggesting that society, peers and media has a lot to answer for when it comes to generating inflated expectations of the festive season.
I think we all suffer from it in one way or another (DP and I have agreed tonight to liberate ourselves from the expectation of a roast on Christmas Day 2022), but I do feel bad for kids. We don't have a telly so probably get off a lot more lightly than many families as our kids don't see the adverts and the incessant messaging around Christmas as a time of magical wish-fulfilment, but most people's DC are exposed to this and it must be so hard to live up to. DC2 came home from visiting a relative with an entirely revised Christmas list having watched TV for an afternoon. Luckily, she'd told the relative too, who got her one of the things, as I'd already completed my shopping.
Our best year was a couple of years ago when we tried a
"Something to wear, something to read,
something you want, something you need" approach, with a couple of additional lines added by DC. The DC made suggestions in each category. It definitely helped manage expectations and kept things even.

This is why I hate what Christmas is nowadays - not the joyous family celebration of the birth of Jesus it's meant to be. Puts so much pressure on people to play happy families and be Merry

I think a lot of people seem to feel this way, but tbh I never have. My dc are teenagers (16 and 13). We generally only get them 1 bigger or 2 slightly smaller presents each (plus a stocking with very small inexpensive things). We don't spend more than £100-£150 each. We always ask them for a few ideas of the kind of things they might like. I never feel any pressure and they always seem really happy with their presents. They are weirdly easily pleased and don't seem to want much!

This year was easy as all 3 dc got a phone (massive hit) but I’ve no idea how we top that next year. I’m slightly stressed already.

My DC are still quite young so no massive expectations yet. 8 year old was worried about not receiving any presents at all so he was happily surprised to find some under the tree.

I guess it gets trickier with teenagers.

It is getting more and more stressful and to be honest, I hate the thought of the cascade of STUFF that comes through the door (constantly trying, and failing, to declutter).

That said, my dc were happy and excited by what they got so we did well.

Next year I might try the want, need, wear, read thing.

I’m pleased MIL said she only got them two presents each this year (normally spoils them, which is lovely and we have a great relationship, but see above re: cascade of stuff!)