How many gifts for DC?

[Inasec24]

Sorry if this has been done, had a search but couldn't find a thread.

Just interested if we have gone overboard. This isn't about budget, just actual number.

We have 2 x DC, age 6 and 4.

They have 14 little things each in a stocking - things like chocolate coins, top trumps etc.

Then 12 things each under the tree. Nothing expensive but some are physically bigger than others.

Then 1 thing each from FC that he leaves on the end of their bed.

I'm guessing as they get older their gifts will be fewer but more expensive like tech etc.

We just went through it and wonder if it seems too much or about normal for this age.

Sounds like they get plenty. Do they get gifts from extended family too?

That sounds an enormous amount.

DD is only 3, but she’ll be getting a stocking of little bits, and a big present from us under the tree.

I do actually think that sounds like a lot and I'm quite indulgent. I gave DD 6 and she gets one big present from us under the tree, plus one from Father Christmas plus stocking, plus 2 - 3 extra.

In terms of extended family, they get one present each from each set of grandparents, one just before Christmas and one after.

Wondering whether to take a couple out and keep them for birthdays.

Ds is 2.

He will get one main gift from us, and stocking with accessories to go with main gift and some other bits.

He will get around 5 other gifts from friend and family.

The number probably depends on circumstances doesn't it. On whether you buy things during the year or not, size of family and other friends or relatives who buy presents and so on. Too many gifts and kids can feel overwhelmed and also lose didn't of the value of gifts and have unrealistic expectations. But if you've no relatives and the only gifts come from you and you don't want them to feel left out in the playground then buying more if you can afford to do so can make sense.

Mine have always had a stocking (sweets/choc, couple if small things and 1 £10-15 thing like a little lego set or warhammer figure.) Then under the tree a 1 stack of books (6 ish books) and 1 gift.

This year DDs have...
A gift from Santa
A gift from each other
3 from us (2 of which are needs rather than wants)
A family board game
A book
A stocking

Which is actually seeming quite a lot written down!

My kids are similar ages.
Stocking as usually filled with little presents, cos I got small stockings! New shower gels, pens, sweeties etc and then one approx ££20 present from Santa each on the end of the bed.
They both have One Big Present from us under the tree (bikes) and then will get another 7-8 each, craft set, book selection, Spider-Man play set thing.

As a family we choose to indulge the children at Christmas, they rarely get new toys through the year in addition to Christmas and birthdays and it’s something we can afford to do as I save money monthly (I have a Plum account which siphons off money).

I think that's a lot.

It's not the financial side I am thinking of - the DC don't know how much things cost and tbh, a lot of the gifts are 2nd hand Vinted or Charity shop bargains bought over the last couple of months.

They include books and a family board game each, the rest toys or crafts like playdough or drawing stuff.

They get an addional 2 gifts each from 2 x relatives, neither on Xmas day.

Just thinking about actual number of gifts under the tree and if it will be overload - sounds like the answer is yes!

1 main and a fun stocking, book and some socks/ slippers. I’m divorced and their dad does the same, so two big presents each.

I think it's a lot - I've also done exactly the same and bought DD far too much. I'm going to pull some stuff out to keep for her birthday instead.

I do think it sounds like a lot and actually it's giving me a bit of a dose of reality because I was about to buy something for my son but he has plenty.
They will just get overwhelmed really

That would be to much for my kids (3&6), they get overwhelmed if there's to much. We do I bigger gift and about 6 small/medium gifts. Stocking is mostly sweets bulked out with fruit and monkey nuts, with maybe 3 little gifts like a bath duch or hair bobbles.

That's about all they can manage at once, so presents from family are done later in the day, even if they have been delivered before Christmas.

I think it's far too much. I'd say five things each under the tree is plenty in addition to all the other stuff.

What I'd look at is whether you think they will open and really enjoy each and every present. If they won't, if it will just be opening and tossing each to the side as they've got so much, then you've overdone it. I can't see they'll be able to actually fully engage with more than five new toys each (in addition to 14 stocking fillers, Santa present and GP presents).

Also to add, throughout the year they get new stuff on their birthdays (both in June), Easter eggs at Easter... maybe the odd magazine. That's about it.

I think you need to half the stuff from under the tree

I used to do this with DS now 9, but realised he got bored of opening things after he'd done maybe 5-6 and it became more of a chore, with him not really noticing what rash thing was.

We've really cut down as he got older so he really enjoys opening everything he gets.

I have always done a stocking from Father Christmas
Three presents from us
One present from the pets
One present from each other (they are older now, so sort this themselves)

There will likely be another 8 presents from extended family, spread out over the Christmas season.

I feel lots of presents can be overwhelming, but you can spread them over a few days, or wrap some things in the same parcel.

I think next year we will definitely aim for a bigger main present and a couple of medium each rather than more smaller things. They'll probably want a bike each next year.

I wonder if anyone is going to be brave enough to answer their DC get 20 things each 😂
There must be some!!

That's a lot. I aim for 4 each and a stocking which is from Santa.

Omg I get my dd about 50 presents every Christmas, I always have done.
And a stocking and 3 advent calendars
She's my only one so I absolutely spoil her...I love seeing her face when she spots the huge pile of presents!

It's a 'too much' from me but not massively overboard. Personally, I would halve the number under the tree and keep them back for birthdays.

I have 3 DC aged between 14 and 4, and they have about 10 things in their stocking and 5 things under the tree. But we have a larger extended family so they will probably each get another 2 biggish gifts from grandparents, 2 from each other, and about 5 small token gifts from aunts/uncles etc.

That often feels 'too much' but is often spread over two or three occasions depending on when we see family over Christmas. Still seems to take an age to open though!

Thank you - you've made me feel better 😂