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Christmas

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Original poster

How do you refine what you buy DC's?

28 replies

amisrong · 16/09/2023 15:23

I've seen so many things my 2DC would love and I keep seeing more, but I have gone overboard every year and want to change that pattern this year. How do you refine your DC's gifts down?

OP posts:
Bubbleandsqueak22 · 16/09/2023 16:21

I ask myself, Will they still be playing with it/using it this time next year?

SnowJamz · 16/09/2023 16:49

I have a list on my phone that I put ideas on of stuff I’ve come across or things that my DC have mentioned throughout the year.

Then around this time of year I go over it and put things in categories. So dolls - my eldest would want Barbies, LOL’s, Rainbow high dolls but these are all very similar so will only choose one. Same for crafts, board games and jigsaws - will choose 1 of each.

Then I also group stuff into rough pricing - so main presents, medium, cheaper. Choose one from each category. Doing this helps me to feel that things are fair between the DC too.

And also agree with @Bubbleandsqueak22
I have made mistakes in the past with buying too much so I know try and really think about each item and that it will definitely be used plenty.

Nonplusultra · 16/09/2023 21:06

Wait until closer to Christmas to buy. Buy it all at once, preferably in cash so you can stay within budget. It’s easy to keep buying one more thing. Seeing it all in one basket or trolley keeps it real.

User3735 · 17/09/2023 02:46

I struggle with this too. This year I'm definitely going to follow advice to buy much later, I've always been an early shopper and then I keep buying just one more perfect gift right up until Christmas eve. This year I've been putting money in a one month notice account instead of buying good deals. I think doing it this way is partly necessary when they are older though and I actually have to wait and see what they ask for, this is the first year all mine have been over 7.

Repts · 17/09/2023 02:50

I've seen people with children follow the 4 present rule;

  1. Something they want
  2. Something they need
  3. Something to wear
  4. Something to read

Might just help focus and narrow things down :)

Stompythedinosaur · 18/09/2023 00:38

I think about the function of the gifts - so I want something they can play with immediately on the day, something to use outdoors, a book, a craft set - then I pick the thing that fits that category that I think they'd like best.

caringcarer · 18/09/2023 01:36

They each have a budget of £200 for main gift plus a £50 stocking.

Gowlett · 18/09/2023 01:42

If I see it in TK Maxx, then fine. I don’t even look in Smyths or think about any particular item (my DS is too young to ask fur specific things yet). Price is the main factor for me. But I do want to avoid buying too much this year, as well…

Hibernatalie · 18/09/2023 19:59

Same - I could buy them 100 things each and still have ideas.

reluctantbrit · 18/09/2023 20:57

I never buy without having DD's Santa letter. No point in buying if she is not into something. So she writes mid-November but we normally talk about it during October half-term and I start looking at some things and add to an Amazon wish list.

We normally add things like books, a boardgame/card game and something for her room, character beach towel and always an item of clothing, can be a pair of socks. That started when she read a book about a family where the children got knickers for Christmas and she loudly objected so I try to find a funny item to laugh about it.

wouldthatbeworse · 18/09/2023 21:35

I think the trick - and I realise this is the wrong board - is not buying too early. DC have a high chance of announcing in November or December that they really want X, or I’ll see something better than what I bought in September. I now keep a list / Amazon basket but won’t buy until mid to late Nov.

Saz12 · 18/09/2023 22:48

I really try to avoid accumulating those random little treat type gifts. Mostly because its those that end up under the bed unused if they get more than one or two.

I also find they get more pleasure from a small number of gifts as each one feels more valued, and tgey can focus on it, rather than from a whole heap of exciting stuff that they flip between.
BUT, I am terrible for not taking my own advice!

Britneyfan · 20/09/2023 04:20

I set a budget. And ask my child to write a list in priority order so I know what’s most important to him (Santa usually tries to get the number one thing as long as it’s half reasonable, nothing else is promised!). I make lists of possible present ideas and costs. Highlight things that are particularly good value or that I strongly want to buy for him or feel he needs. Think about covering across different categories eg clothing, toys, edible stuff, books, craft, games. And look for bargains/discounts especially for more expensive items. I shop quite late. Will get some stuff on Black Friday for good deals. But often end up buying 1st or 2nd week in December. I don’t buy it all in one go but probably over a period of 1-2 weeks. Once I’ve bought the first few items there are some that I think “oh that one can wait for his birthday or next Christmas as there are some similarities to what I’ve already bought”.

WaitingfortheTardis · 20/09/2023 05:53

We usually buy one main present for dd so that she gets the one thing she absolutely loves.
She also has a stocking with bits I know she'll enjoy like: chocolate, book, notepad, small toy set like Polly Pocket, things that will go with the main gift (this year a Barbie will be in there), craft set, hair things, knickers and socks (sorry @reluctantbrit ), game and something random like a decoration for her room.

I try and choose one of each sort of thing by deciding which ones will keep her entertained while other stuff is going on and before she gets to see the main gift/we see family. I do also keep an eye on prices and try and get things that go on a decent offer. If I have other ideas I put them on the ideas list for family as I always get asked what she would like.

HairHeGoesHairHeGoesAgain · 20/09/2023 17:29

I don't, I buy everything I think he'd like 🙈😁

Seriously though, I make a note of things as and when I see them and then keep an eye on the price using camelcamelcamel and then if the price drops, I'll buy.

I try and keep a lid on it, I'm generally unsuccessful.

Weefreetiffany · 20/09/2023 17:32

Last year we bought playmobil and Lego in the Black Friday sales and saved a bit by doing so

Cherryrainbow · 20/09/2023 21:30

I had an honest conversation with my son this week to say some of the things he wants is expensive (he's 10, very into anime and gaming) which is okay but I have a budget so it may seem he doesn't have much compared to his sister who will be 3 so stuff is generally cheaper. He said he understood and he'd be happy with the stuff he asked for so that's going to help me reign it in I think x

dinosaursroar1 · 21/09/2023 16:51

I generally try to focus on expanding on things DD already has rather than adding new categories or types of a toy. DD had from her first couple of birthdays and Christmas a play kitchen, train set, Happyland and Duplo and for the last few years I have mostly got presents to have more things in those categories - more accessories and play food for the kitchen, adding on things like a station or engine shed for her train set - and gradually will age up as she gets older or as interests change (so Duplo can become proper Lego, Happyland has already started to move more towards little dolls).

And I just don’t look at other categories unless I’m actively researching for a new toy or item because DD has outgrown something or I’ve seen her play with something elsewhere and clearly really gets a lot of enjoyment out of it - I love playmobil but I just act like it doesn’t exist - because I couldn’t trust myself not to end up getting bits from every kind of toy just because I thought they were cute or DD would love them but probably only for five minutes and then forget about them because there would be more limited play if she only had one item from a type if toy.

stargirl1701 · 21/09/2023 16:57

Use the much hated poem:

Want
Need
Wear
Read

Merrow · 21/09/2023 20:18

I keep a list on my phone. One of things that I've seen / thought of and another one of things that DS has expressly mentioned. Then I don't buy anything until very late, and pass on a lot of ideas to relatives. We don't do a lot of things from "Santa" as we have a large and generous extended family, so we tend to do one knock out gift, then usually a book and one or two small things. DP would be all for one thing from Santa, but I grew up in a pile of present house and I can't quite let go!

Bouncyball23 · 21/09/2023 21:14

Repts · 17/09/2023 02:50

I've seen people with children follow the 4 present rule;

  1. Something they want
  2. Something they need
  3. Something to wear
  4. Something to read

Might just help focus and narrow things down :)

That is a rubbish rule and if a child needs it then surely they shouldn't have to wait till Christmas for it.

AxolotlEars · 22/09/2023 20:30

I just reduced the amount of money I spend...set the budget and stick to it

BHRK · 22/09/2023 21:00

I hate want, need, wear, read. Xmas isn’t a time to teach my children a lesson. Fine for adults, not for children I think. Most young children. do not want something to wear.
I set a budget, the kids know roughly what it is and write lists accordingly. I then top it up with a few surprises, chocolates and stocking things. It works well

LuckOfTheDrawer · 22/09/2023 21:16

I set a budget that I stick to. And I keep a list of ideas, and only buy the best ones.

LolaSmiles · 22/09/2023 21:19

I make a list of things as DC mentioned them, edit as I notice them mention it less or prefer different interests and then give suggestions when family ask.

We tend to focus on one main present and one smaller present. They have a stocking but it's low value items such as Christmas socks, chocolate, a book or puzzle for Christmas morning.

The big thing that saves us money and reduces stuff is we don't do lots of trinket/top up presents. It can be tempting to keep adding £5-25 items and before long it's easily another £100 of stuff.