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.

I have 2 dc still at home

They get a stocking with about 20 things in that aren't overly exciting :- Sweets, smellies, a book, clothes to wear christmas day, pyjamas, slippers, stationary, pound shop goodies, when they were younger theyd get a toy and a dvd to keep them quiet for a couple of hours. Then from us they get a board game each (we are big board game players in our household), a mystery gift (something I've seen that they'd like) and their main present. Total budget around £150 total price. I start buying in August.

My older one doesn't get the stocking unless he is with us Christmas Day. So both him and his gf will each get a main present from us, a mystery gift, some smellies and a board game to share. Budget for the two of them about £200.

I want someone to define - how many things are overwhelming?

You also have to think some will consider a football strip just clothes bought in summer. Others will package that as 3 separate items.

Op mine will probably end up with similar numbers, between what we buy and what family give.

At that age mine would of had more some years of im honest as also had a lot of family buying for them , probably 10 gifts at least , also we stuck to a rough budget of say £50-100 etc so aome years that could be one present from us , others 10

We never done stockings though, just stuck to presents and thing they wanted
My mum and mil would get them a sack full of bits as well, but again had a budget

Stocking and three bigger presents here.
Maybe I sound mean to some but my son enjoys things so much more when there are fewer of them. Also, I don't believe in giving young kids pants and a toothbrush as presents, plus he's diabetic so I can't rely on chocolate coins and sweets to fill the stocking either. So his stocking is full of actual fun small gifts.
He also has more grandparents and aunts and uncles than he knows what to do so with, MIL, DSD, BIL and my uncle in particular always go a little bit overboard so he ends up with loads. I've kept back some of my present ideas for when they all come asking for an idea on what he would like instead of buying it all myself.

You let your kids go cold through october/november/december with broken/lost or ill-fitting coats/clothes/shoes so you can pass off your legal obligation to clothe them as a gift... surely you cant mean that because legally thats neglect.

My kids have never done lists and dont ask for anything anyway, I was the same as a kid the suprise was always a million times better and the one and only year I asked for something because people kept saying 'what do you want' it was out of stock EVERYWHERE and I was disappointed.

They mention things they see and like if we are out sometimes (like 'mam that robot dog is really cool' etc...) and I pay attention to what things draw their attention (DS is getting a play kitchen because at nursery, waiting room and soft plays he always goes straight for the play kitchen if there is one) so no need for lists.

these threads always end up the same lol
I would say you do you what's right for someone else is not always right for you. My two always got loads for xmas though are grown up now and are getting gift vouchers and small hampers
Myniece is four and she will be getting about 20 pressies and a stocking from us and a couple of pressies from my daughter and son. She will probably get similar amount from her mum
She has no other family my mum is too I'll with dementia to realise its xmas
Honestly each to their own As someone else said if here on mumsnet each child is getting 5 presents there how come kids these days seem to have everything when you visit their houses hmmmm

My two have around the same amount of gifts as your children OP. Not worried about you it one also has a boxing day birthday so will get more the next day.

It works for us

My children get lots of parcels to open but lots of it is stuff they need throughout the year rather than toys and tat, new shoes, new clothes etc I don’t buy anything apart from at Christmas or birthdays. If they need a new cost or something they’d have to wait I wouldn’t just buy it.

I understand using birthdays and Christmas to give your DCs new clothes but to make them do without??? I bought my 2 oldest winter coats in last years winter sales for this Christmas, one will still get hers Christmas Day but I gave the other her coat last month as she needed it. I’d never make her do without.

one will still get hers Christmas Day but I gave the other her coat last month as she needed it. I’d never make her do without
How does that work on Christmas day? If, for example, each child gets two presents and one of them gets her coat for Christmas, does the other DD only get one present in the day as she's already had her coat or does she get two fun presents when her sister is stuck opening a coat that her sister was just given the month before?
A coat can't be a gift for one and an essential for the other surely?

I don't get this. So they don't get any toys or anything they actually want for Christmas, you just wrap up shoes and clothes that they actually need to wear? Even if I was on the bones of my arse I'd find a way for them to have a couple of fun presents. Buying them a coat they need because it's cold is not a present. It's my job as a parent to make sure they are clothed.

These threads always become a race to the bottom. Thinking providing a coat for your child in winter is a massive treat for the child. 🙄

I haven't read the whole thread, but will do just to find out if / how quickly it descended into competitive frugality.

Anyway, mine are seven and four. They get three things from FC, a stocking (consumables only - sweets, bubble bath etc), and then some other bits from us (something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read). So that's probably 7 things plus stocking.

It was a more expensive sports/fashion coat I wouldn’t normally justify buying. She is 10 she knows it was something I’d bought her for Christmas but gave her early, so she knows she will be one gift down. She has way more than 2 presents to open Christmas Day and it not her main present.

Well you made it public so you obviously don’t mind opinions. I think that’s obscene.
Your money, your child but we do actually share the same planet of which we have one.

I have to agree that making a child wait for essentials like a coat or shoes for Birthday or Christmas is rough. Essentials shouldn't be a gift. I even count bikes as an essential that doesn't need to wait for Christmas. They get a new one when they have outgrown the last.

I think our dd gets quite a lot. Her stocking sack has roughly 8-10 things: book, activity book, small game, bath bomb/bubble bath, fun pen, chocolate snowmen/reindeer, mini figures, craft set, socks and a cuddly. Then either one main or 2-3 smaller mains. All that is from FC. Then grandparents between them do a lot, including several outfits, games, books, a toy shell have mentioned when with them at some point etc. Then a few from wider family and friends. It tends to be spread over several days depending when we are seeing people meaning she doesn't really get overwhelmed. She is very lucky and I'm fine with it, but I do try and make sure she realizes and get her involved in doing things for others too.

I wouldn't make kids wait for coats or shoes either. I'm guessing though the poster is talking about teens who want designer labels, and can still use last year's coat rather than freeze waiting on Christmas.

My dc get a similar amount and it works well for us. We spread the present opening out and it lasts all day. The DC aren't spoiled, they appreciate their gifts, and they don't seem overwhelmed or bored by them. I guess every dc is different!

Your their parents op.your doing just fine.
god,shamed if we do shamed if we don’t!
you h go or them this many,you no them,your their mum. So it’s fine.pleas don’t be influenced by the internet who are not your family or your circumstances or make~up.and half the time aren’t even facts.

5 and 2 year olds.

Stocking with about 15 things in.
One large and 2 or 3 smaller gifts from us.
Total about £100 each from us.

They also get quite a lot for extended family - 4x aunts and uncles, 2x grandparents, 3x great grandparents, 4x great aunts, a couple from friends and family friends. Some of these people get them money rather than gifts but they probably end up with about 12 in addition to the ones from us.

But PP said 'If they NEED a new cost or something they’d have to wait'.

No one needs the latest designer coat if theres works fine, that would be a 'want a new coat' so that doesnt fit at all.

It’s not too much. It might look like a lot but the actual gifts; play dough & colouring books are not excessive in anyway. I’m sure your children will love them.

@RobinRobinMouse do you think that’s a lot? I would consider that on the lower end of normal. As with OP; the stockings you’ve listed are all very cheap small items so not really proper gifts and 3 gifts under the tree isn’t excessive in anyway. It’s lovely she feels so lucky but don’t beat yourself up thinking she gets a lot. It’s probably considered not much at all.