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Christmas

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Original poster

Just been up to wrap last presents for kids, counted them and.................

30 replies

PeckaRolloverAgain · 23/12/2007 17:49

They have about 30 each

Alot of them just bits and pieces (including knickers, socks, toothpaste etc that they will need)

But.....is this very excessive?

OP posts:
NorthernLurkerwithastarontop · 23/12/2007 17:52

As long as you have enjoyed buying them and didn't slug anyone over the head to get the cash to buy them (you didn't did you?) then I wouldn't bother what anyone else thinks - have a lovely day and enjoy your little ones!

ISawSantaKissingKerrysNorks · 23/12/2007 17:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

discoverlife · 23/12/2007 17:58

DS is over the moon because he counted the pressies and has 10 for himself. Whats he going to do when the binbags of preassies appear on Christmas day LOL (they are not all his).

ChristmasSendsMePsycho · 23/12/2007 18:08

erm..........NO!

mine now have....

19 each in their stockings
15 each in their santa sacks
10 each from mummy and daddy under the tree.

(meaning 44 each)

I have 5 kiddies too!!!!!!!!!!!

however, many of the items in their stocking cost a few pence, ditto the sant sacks (well, under £2 at least).

tis the tree pressies that are the main cost items.

in fact, for my two older girls, they have a couple of 'free' pressies (eg...went into H&M one reacent saturday and spent over £50 on P.J's and xmas clothing, and cos of that I got a free £10 gift card. It is now in a new purse that cost £1 from new look as a pressie for DD2, and DD1 has a gift card that I got returning something that was defective. fab plan, and cost me nothing)

I can't wait to see theri glee xmas morning now

candypandy · 23/12/2007 18:08

love the idea of wrapping up stuff they need! I do it too but don't go as far as toothpaste! have fun, they'll implode when they see it all!

ChristmasSendsMePsycho · 23/12/2007 18:11

mine all have a new toothbrush, new toothpaste, new flannel, new hairbrush, new knickers/pants and new slippersocks in their stockings along with the crappytat fun pressies too

HappyMummyOfOne · 23/12/2007 18:22

I dont think its excessive either, havent dared count DS's but know there are a lot as I started in September. Cant wait for xmas day to see his little face.

Original poster
PeckaRolloverAgain · 23/12/2007 18:39

Ahhhh good Feel better now - I was worried I was overcompensating because Ill be 40 weeks pregnant on boxing day hehe

They have all the presents from everyone else to come to so just cant wait.

Ive decided we are going to have a little chat before we start the paper ripping about thinking of those less fortunate than us. That will ease my guilt!

OP posts:
KITTYmaspudding · 23/12/2007 18:41

sorry to be a killjoy but I think it's a tad ott. They don't need anywhere near that much stuff

FrannyandZooey · 23/12/2007 18:45

I don't need these chocolates I am sitting here eating Kitty but I am bloody enjoying them

ChristmasSendsMePsycho · 23/12/2007 18:46

PMSL franny.....or should that be a chocolatey??[fwink

motherinferior · 23/12/2007 18:47

Ach, go for it. Especially if half of them are pants and socks. I do the opposite, myself, am appalling cheapskate. Perhaps I should get some new pants (for them) tomorrow...?

KITTYmaspudding · 23/12/2007 18:50

Yeah, I thought need would be the wrong word .
They don't need any of them.
Still, to many I think.
Obviously chocs for grown ups have no limits

Original poster
PeckaRolloverAgain · 23/12/2007 18:50

The thing is - I was nearly going to get DD a WII as she will love it and think the whole family would enjoy playing it (especially whilst I am establishing BF with new baby on the sofa)

But her Dad (my ex) decided to get her one which was GREAT as saved me the frantic hunt for one and the money.

Sooooooooooo the value of her pile is probably less than if we had got her the Wii plus games.

What do you find excessive kitty - the money spent of amount of "stuff"?

DS bless him has had very little spent on him in comparison but he is just very very easily pleased and his big pile is made up of lots of low cost stuff. (one of their presents each is a wad of coloured A4 paper for example).

OP posts:
Original poster
PeckaRolloverAgain · 23/12/2007 18:51

of should be or

OP posts:
NorthernLurkerwithastarontop · 23/12/2007 18:54

Pecka - don't worry over what the rest of MN think - you've bought what your children will love - and consider your advanced state of pregnancy I think you've done marvels to get it all in

FrannyandZooey · 23/12/2007 18:55

I think it really is such a personal and individual thing, almost like comparing what you like to do in bed

what gives great joy to one person is quite distasteful to another

I think a lot of it depends on what you were brought up with and your own family memories

I doubt it really makes much difference to the children at all - I bet all our families will enjoy what they get, whether heaps or a few carefully chosen things

KITTYmaspudding · 23/12/2007 18:55

It's the sheer amount pecka, not the money so much.
Mine have got three main pressies each and a handful of things for their stockings and I think that's plenty

FrannyandZooey · 23/12/2007 18:58

do NOT come and peer in my window on Tuesday Kitty

you wouldn't like it

POOKAingwenceslaslookedout · 23/12/2007 19:03

Glad you started this thread pecka, because I was really worried that had gone overboard, but don't think I have now.
I just remember last year feeling a bit queasy when all the presents were under the tree, thinking, god what have I done.
So this year, have reined my splurging instincts in a little. DD has about 6 main presents (a doll, aquabeads, rose petal cottage, dressing up costume and so on) and about 8 in her stocking (including a couple of books, some paper, a purse and so on). DS has slightly fewer main pressies but similar in his stocking. Some of dd's stocking presents are her old baby clothes wrapped because they will fit the doll we've bought. And the doll was bought to go with absurdly expensive and de trop pram that MIL has bought.

Out of interest, are you still in touch with Spook? Was wondering recently how things were going with her lovely young man, and the skip rat.

bubblerock · 23/12/2007 19:15

Mine have loads too - but I have been picking up bargains all year so it hasn't cost much. I have a PS3 for DH and I can't wait for him to open it, he has no idea and all I did was upgrade our broadband with AOL and got it free!!

Original poster
PeckaRolloverAgain · 23/12/2007 19:33

Yes, very much in touch with Spook. We are bestest buds.

Was round at hers last night for her Aga warming christmas party as her and lovely young man have bought a luscious house that they have been rennovating for last 5 months!

Skiprat is still as skiprattish as ever and barely gets a mention, we simply refer to her as Whore now if it ever comes up in conversation!

Spook and young man got married in April and all is well

OP posts:
serinsingingcarols · 23/12/2007 19:34

Our three have about 25 presents each, its finding a home for it all once the holidays are over that I am worrying about.

Might invest in a bed that I can put stuff under in the Argos sale!

Wallace · 23/12/2007 19:39

Mine have loads of little bits and pices in their stockings, but only one present each from us.

janeite · 23/12/2007 19:53

I wrapped all the presents last night and realised that both dds actually have very little; just 6 presents each (nearly all of which are books) and a few bits for their stockings (4 or 5 fun things plus chocs, oranges and a toothbrush). Had a bit of a panic until I remembered that we still haven't wrapped a guitar, a Wii and some games (all of which are still hidden in the pantry)! SO - they haven't got many presents but I think they will be so amazed that they are getting the Wii (normally I'm the no computer games, telly rationing, anti technology mother from hell) that they won't notice that they haven't got much else!

I really think that as long as they get a few things that they will love, a few things that they need, and the parents can afford it and aren't just "going mad" because it's Christmas, then it doesn't matter how few, or how many, gifts they get. Also - that they are encouraged to give and not just receive goes without saying - so I like Pekka's little speech idea too!