Is this enough for a three year old

HappySummerDays · 02/09/2025 20:25

I would include a few books. But those sound like lovely presents.

Original poster

salKeen5 · 02/09/2025 20:26

Couple of books, great idea thank you.

OP posts:

TheignT · 02/09/2025 20:26

Sounds fine to me. I think sometimes kids get so much it is overwhelming.

Original poster

salKeen5 · 02/09/2025 20:49

I keep going between thinking it's enough and being a bit mean but don't think he is at the comparing notes stage with his friends yet! 😂

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bluechilli47 · 02/09/2025 21:10

Something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read. Stops you from going OTT

Amimaimia · 02/09/2025 21:48

My little one is only two and I really don’t think he needs much. But I do have a little rail of clothes I put out or Christmas morning - makes me feel like he’s getting more, but they’re just clothes I would have to buy anyway! (Next size up shoes, coat etc). Silly really as he won’t care anyway it’s just for me to see!

legalseagull · 02/09/2025 21:50

Yes. He’ll presumably be getting presents from other family members too?

Original poster

salKeen5 · 02/09/2025 21:58

legalseagull · 02/09/2025 21:50

Yes. He’ll presumably be getting presents from other family members too?

Exactly from grandparents and aunts and uncles, so about four or five more from other people

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CrownCoats · 02/09/2025 22:00

It’s september - why are you thinking about this now?

That’s a lot to spend on a 3 year old. Christmas isn’t all about competitive present buying.

Original poster

salKeen5 · 02/09/2025 22:06

Sorry to have caused offence. I really wasn't trying to do competitive gift buying. My son rarely gets things bought for him at other times. I have to think of these things in advance because I have ADHD which makes organising things quite hard. I often find the run up to Christmas overwhelming so if I get these things done I know I can relax and actually enjoy the run up with my son.

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Googoonat · 02/09/2025 22:13

Everyone’s perspective on this will be so different.

Personally, I’d only buy one of these items for a three year old. Depending on what family are like, I might consider asking them to pool on the gifts if you want to get him all three. I think he’ll potentially be overwhelmed with stuff if you get all of these and he has another four or five family members buying presents.

But… I’m probably a Scrooge. I really worry about the impact of huge amounts of presents on my children and I am trying really hard to keep things in check. It’s difficult as I would never want to offend any family members, but I know that getting too much definitely brings out the worst in my children and I don’t think it’s good for anyone!

Original poster

salKeen5 · 02/09/2025 22:15

Googoonat · 02/09/2025 22:13

Everyone’s perspective on this will be so different.

Personally, I’d only buy one of these items for a three year old. Depending on what family are like, I might consider asking them to pool on the gifts if you want to get him all three. I think he’ll potentially be overwhelmed with stuff if you get all of these and he has another four or five family members buying presents.

But… I’m probably a Scrooge. I really worry about the impact of huge amounts of presents on my children and I am trying really hard to keep things in check. It’s difficult as I would never want to offend any family members, but I know that getting too much definitely brings out the worst in my children and I don’t think it’s good for anyone!

Thank you. I agree,my son definitely does get overwhelmed with too much. I might consider the pooling idea

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PlantDoctor · 02/09/2025 22:18

Sounds good to me. I try to stick to one big present, two medium presents, and stocking. As people said above, kids get really overwhelmed with tonnes of things, especially when you have family giving them things too.

Menapausemum1974 · 02/09/2025 22:22

salKeen5 · 02/09/2025 20:24

Tonie box and a couple of tonnes
Dinosaur big jigs railway
Remote control car

I feel like that will probably be enough. I think this might be the first year he understands Santa but he will also get gifts from other people.

@salKeen5 how about adding things you would buy anyway? books, jammies, slippers etc and a selection box

Googoonat · 02/09/2025 22:24

salKeen5 · 02/09/2025 22:15

Thank you. I agree,my son definitely does get overwhelmed with too much. I might consider the pooling idea

Show quote history

My son was three last Christmas and, honestly, he became slightly unhinged. I think it was probably the first year that he was really clued into the build up to Christmas and all of the presents and his behaviour was just all over the place for the Christmas holidays. It’s partly what has made me rethink how we do birthdays and Christmas. Luckily, almost all other family members have been on board when we have spoken to them about this and we try and stick to a limited number of gifts for each of the children now. Birthdays went well but let’s see what happens this Christmas!

BarnacleBeasley · 02/09/2025 22:24

An excellent tip I was given by a friend with children slightly older than mine is get them a new toothbrush. They are always delighted! Not sure what age that wears off.

Loubylie · 02/09/2025 22:25

Buy tge most expensive thing yourself and if family ask what he'd like suggest they buy the other things.

6thbirthday · 02/09/2025 22:28

Will you be doing a stocking too? Sounds fine to me!

Original poster

salKeen5 · 02/09/2025 22:31

I should say that the gifts from other family are usually not big or crazy. Things like books or pyjamas selection boxes and things

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MsSquiz · 02/09/2025 22:37

Both of my kids always get a bag of clothes and pjs for Christmas as it’s stuff they need anyway.

and to @CrownCoatsasking why the OP is thinking about this in September, surely it’s not that unbelievable that some people like to be organised in advance? Either to spread the cost or just to have things sorted and out of the way before December?!

this is the Christmas board after all!

EaglesSwim · 02/09/2025 22:48

salKeen5 · 02/09/2025 20:24

Tonie box and a couple of tonnes
Dinosaur big jigs railway
Remote control car

I feel like that will probably be enough. I think this might be the first year he understands Santa but he will also get gifts from other people.

It's definitely enough. Lovely thoughts.

The one thing I'd say is there seems to be limited play value in a remote control car. They lose interest quite quickly IME.

BarnOwlFlying · 02/09/2025 22:51

CrownCoats · 02/09/2025 22:00

It’s september - why are you thinking about this now?

That’s a lot to spend on a 3 year old. Christmas isn’t all about competitive present buying.

I start in September- it helps with spreading the cost.

Anon501178 · 02/09/2025 22:59

I think its fine....Tonie's are expensive and the other things don't sound small gifts.Too much to open can be overwhelming for little ones.Often they get stressed having to keep opening present after present rather than being able to enjoy the ones they've already seen!

Obviously everyone's answers will be different as it varies so much on personal preference and income.

KittyPup · 02/09/2025 23:01

The years they are truly excited by Christmas and running down to see what Santa brought them is so short. Why would you not want to splash out and indulge them? Mine have never been overwhelmed by piles of presents - they’re just excited. 3 things is really not a lot at all. If it’s cost you’re worried about, bulk it out with cheap things like pjs, books, chocolate, cards, games etc. It’s meant to be magical - what is magical and exciting about the description “I feel like it would probably be enough”?

2025mustbebetter · 02/09/2025 23:05

I usually make sure my kids have 5 wrapped presents. It's often the small ones like books that they really love. I'm not doing it so they feel like they have enough gifts but for the thrill of opening them so they are mostly lower value things I think they will love. Your list plus a couple of books sounds perfect!