Avoiding the toy overload

[Sellingbedtime]

Any one buying their young children/toddlers everyday objects for Christmas? I feel a bit Scrooge-esq but want to avoid the overwhelming stream of toys (that get forgotten by the end of boxing day).

So have thought of buying DD some toddler friendly kitchen knives and some very cheap makeup and brushes.

From Father Christmas mine asked for a guitar and she loves Stitch so she has asked for "anything and everything" Stitch. She'll be perfectly happy with a stitch towel, bedding, blanket, pyjamas, socks, knickers, slippers, hair clips etc! She won't be getting many toys as such as she's almost 8 and we are trying to cut down her massive collection and she seems happy enough with what she has... She hasn't actually asked for anything to play with other than a Nintendo game and a guitar (obviously will not be getting a big expensive one as she can't even play the guitar, but I'll get her a cheaper one to fiddle around with).

For the record... She was happy to get SOAP one year. 4 bars in a pack, scent of her favourite fruit. No complaints. Cost less than £1.

We normally buy one main present which is a toy and the rest consumable or practical. Between aunts, uncles, grandparents etc there are 15 people that like to buy my DDs toys for Christmas so we tend to stick to non-toy items.

Things we've done in the past are:

Bubble bath

PJs/socks/underwear with their favourite character on so not everyday ones

Fleecy blankets

Chocolate

Fun water bottles (Sho do brilliant kids ones and you can buy lids with straws.)

Clothes but I try to keep it more fun rather than everyday stuff e.g. a new party dress

Toys for the garden so they're not cluttering up the house

Lots and lots of books.

When they're a bit older....small card games that don't take up a lot of space but are fun like snap, matching pairs or Uno.

Absolutely

Over the years there have been blankets, character clothing, bean bag, baking sets, alarm clock, school bag (wanted as she changed her mind that her old one was still fahionable, not needed) or hobby equipment, again an add-on, not something she would need.

DS4 is getting his own wheelie suitcase (a spiderman one).

Also going to get him some swimming goggles and maybe a pool float. He's just started swimming lessons.

He's also getting toys but mostly bits to add to things we already have, like more food to the toy kitchen

I agree get practical things they'll get use out but also enjoy- DS loved his peppa pig plates and cutlery 🤣 even when he was a bit older and started writing a list he'd get one or two toys and then some useful bits- was still special.

Can't you just buy fewer toys. Divide your budget across three items instead of 10. As a kid, I hated practical or everyday items for Christmas but I suppose everyone is different.