How many presents

[Claz88]

How many presents does everyone get their young kids (under 7). My husband thinks 20 each + stocking is too much, but I think it's wonderful to see presents under the tree!

My child's 'little brain' coped perfectly well with more.

Way too much, it's completely pointless because they can't take it all in. Definitely stick to under 10 which is still a lot tbh

It's a class issue. Middle class parents look down on wc parents who spoil DC at Xmas. My SILs do it to us. Find us so vulgar 😂🤣😂

And I don’t need this old MN Trollope to be dished out every time people talk about Christmas presents on the Christmas board, it’s a ridiculous mantra and it get more and more ridiculous each time I see it!

How do you know this? Is it just something you accept as the norm because it happens in your world?

Mine get a present from one set of grand parents and one from my DHs 2 siblings when we see them, not Christmas Day and it’s usually cash in a card. They get fuck all from my family and nothing from god parents. My children are the only ones baptised in our immediate families and most of my DCs friends aren’t baptised so most won’t even have godparents let alone get presents from them.

Many people come from families were gifts are given for what ever reason, so if a parent wants to spoil their child Christmas Day that’s up to them.

im also sick of hearing this overwhelming crap, most kids would love nothing more that a massive pile of presents it’s only adults who project all the overwhelming crap onto them!

I usually do 10-12 which includes the stocking.

This debate comes up every Christmas.

I get around 20 gifts plus a stocking and have never found the dc were overwhelmed. That said, sometimes there are still gifts left to open in boxing day.

But it was within our budget, was appreciated by the dc and gave me pleasure to give.

My god, I HATE this trope. I read it and immediately it sucks all the joy out of gift giving. It's like the dementor of Christmas.

Ignore this OP, whilst 20 is a lot I agree with your DH, do not suck the joy from xmas by following this kind of nonsense.

Our 2 dc don’t receive presents from anyone else apart from us (no extended family etc) so what we buy is what they have.
father Christmas just brings stockings in our house (just a normal size stocking) and then we get 1 or 2 big presents, 2/4 medium ones and then usually pjs, and 5-10 max small toys/craft sets etc

I don’t count books as I always buy those throughout the year (charity shops, second hand on Amazon etc)

we buy 2 presents on birthdays, and no other toys throughout the year. Would rather spend our limited money on days out through out the year so Xmas is the only time they get toys really.

Ds nearly 5 has got

Harry Potter Lego set
Harry Potter plushie character cushions x3
Small wooden foosball table
Leapfrog leap start and 2 books to go with it
2 where's Wally books
Toy egg filled with dinosaurs

Stocking fillers will just be small bits like chocolates, bed socks, bath foam etc

I've spent around £120 not including stocking fillers.

It depends if they get things at other times of the year or not. If it all gets bought at Christmas and birthdays then it makes sense to buy more. Otherwise just a few nicer things are fine

I guess it depends on your kid. My 4 year old received so many gifts from family last year that I ended up giving him 1 thing a day to open from mid Dec. Otherwise he would have been too overwhelmed.
We do one big stocking in the morning (and this is my favourite bit to do) and that keeps him preoccupied until we open main presents under the tree after lunch, around 4pm. I think this year he might get 1 main present (a bike) and 4 smaller ones from us, (kinetic sand kit, play doh kit, second hand brio farm train set, second hand books). Then he has presents from family - maybe another 5.
I do think it's lovely to have presents under the tree but I would just be buying stuff for the sake of it.

Thanks for all your replies

Yes the presents includes things likes books etc with only 2-3 big presents like thomas train track, furby etc.

I think from the replies it's all a bit of a mixed bag but at least I can tell my husband that it's certainly not over the top/ out of the ordinary

Thanks all

4 or 5, plus stocking, plus a book on Christmas eve and a puzzle to share with Grandad on Christmas day

Completely agree.

If you’re fortunate enough to have a bit of extra money to spend, I’d suggest either purchasing tickets to the theatre or cinema to enjoy together between Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve or enclosing a photo of a destination along with a hotel booking confirmation for a couple of nights away during the April holidays.

Just because everyone else is doing it, doesn’t mean you have to. Every family and child is different, and what matters most is creating a meaningful experience, not necessarily the number of gifts. Too many presents can sometimes overwhelm young children, making it hard for them to truly appreciate each one, especially when they’re under 7 and easily excited by simpler things.

Consider what message you want to send about value, thoughtfulness, and gratitude. A few well-chosen presents can feel just as magical, especially when the focus is on spending time together and making special memories. Ultimately, if you feel that fewer gifts would allow for a more meaningful celebration (or just make things simpler), then there’s no need to worry about what others are doing. It’s about what works best for your family!

We don't count presents, we have a budget and just buy things within it, going by what they would like/surprises. Although we don't include chocolates and sweets, stockings in this. I do agree that very young children can get bored opening too many. It is tempting as a parent to make it look like lots, to add to the excitement etc. We fell for this a couple of Christmases ago, then last Christmas got a bit less.

A lot of young dcs gifts are large boxes with toys in etc, so that helps as well.
This year they'll have enough to open, but I won't over do it to make it look more. It'll probably look less than even last year because as they get older, their gifts are more expensive, and they are smaller!

Last year dc 1 was super excited me and dh had gifts too to open. We all have a little area. Dh, and I didn't used to bother, as it was too much to think of us when they were really small, but are starting to again, as things get a little easier.

DD probably ends up with around that many by the time presents from friends, family and grandparents are added in and it can be a little overwhelming. We spread it out as much as possible. Because of that she has maybe 5-6 from us + her stocking.

Her birthday is in December as well so there's a real risk of utter insanity.

I have a young child and so far I’ve gone for 8/9 gifts from us, one from Santa plus a stocking (mixture of tiny things and more substantial like a book or puzzle)

I usually end up with a similar number. I have

• 7 "big" presents on my list (things like lego sets, tech, big board games),
• 7 medium items - like new pens/art/craft refills, things for room, small board games, soft toys, etc.
• A handful of extra small items - books, sweets, clothes.

They won't have presents to open from anyone else this year (they will get money from family, which will be mostly saved).

They have never had any problem getting bored opening them! One will open slowly and saviour every item. The other will tear through them, and then go back once they are all open. I do think both appreciate everything they are given.

Even if they "were too overwhelmed to take them in " on the day - they will use them throughout the year and beyond! I try to have a nice even split of "use ASAP on the day"/consumables/"still be using in a year" items.

I LOVE big present piles 🙈 when my kids were little they had 20+ presents each and stockings. They love Xmas and presents has always been a big part of that as children! Some were big presents and some were small but they appreciated everything. It's never been overwhelming and there is no rush to open or play with everything at once. They are teens now so the piles are much smaller sadly. I miss all the toys and books and fun kids stuff at Christmas so make the most of it. 💕

And actually a lot of the presents that don’t get the immediate ‘wow’ reaction on Christmas Day itself, end up being some of the most unexpectedly loved things throughout the year. If I restricted to one or two things I probably wouldn’t pick them, so I do like to get a variety. Somethings they pick for themselves and some things I know they will like.
for instance last year I got ds7 a loom band bracelet making set - no way would it be what he would choose himself, and he’s always very grateful for any presents but I could tell he was very underwhelmed when he opened it. About 5 days after Christmas, one cold afternoon, he was bored so got it out and spent hours making them with his siblings and he absolutely loved it and has asked for more this year.

@Ilovelurchers not sure where I heard the rhyme, but apparently Elton John did this with his children, but also added the ‘something to give to someone in need’ line too. Not sure how true, but a lovely thing to consider.

A long time ago. I decided to give only a small gift from Santa.

Keeping the magic but stopping entitlement & more to the point not making poorer kids in their class feel awful or naughty.
I grew up poor & thought I was bad because Santa wasn't good to me.

I make sure my kids always filled out a wish list.

•something I want
•something I need
•something to share
•something to read

The big present came from me.
I find the avarice and frenzy & capitalism gone mad nauseating.

It's gone insane. Kids asking for ps5 etc
How the hell is that going to make a kid in there class with a disabled dad or single mum feel.

Nope nope nope.
The magic is in the glitter & the traditions & playing games together & love

Yes, I agree the rhyme sound boring, but my kids loved it
(Again not talking school shoes) but hobby related and games to play with others.)

There really is nothing more horrible than being me as a child & having someone at school tell you that you must have been bad because Santa brought you a jigsaw whilst they got a bike & subuteo & a girls world & a mr frostee.

I hated Santa.