Does anyone else not hate the big present pile?

[Christmasiscoming2025]

My 4 year olds favourite part of getting presents is opening them so I get him loads of things but it’s not all big gifts/toys. I have got him clothes with his favourite characters on, books, games and puzzles from charity shops, sweets ect.

A lot of people don’t seem to like the big piles of presents on here and say they only get a few presents for their kids and I just don’t really get it as the magic/wow moment is the big pile for kids 🤷‍♀️

I never look at that so would have no idea.

That sounds similar to my own experience growing up. We got an exciting pile of presents each at Christmas but birthdays were very low key. One or two not expensive presents and that was it (and a home made birthday cake). Christmas was very exciting for us kids back in the 70s as we rarely got things during the year.

I hate the big piles....I think mainly because when I was childless my sis used to have massive piles for her kids and it just looked so crass....the shiny photos on fb when I knew in real life it wasn't like that.
When i first had kids we'd have a stocking in the morning, 4-5 pressies after lunch. My kids liked to open slowly and play before opening the next.
Now we escape it all and have a holiday in the sun, with a stocking to open which they love.
Thankfully we are all different!

There’s a well known Youtube family, showing big piles of gifts every year. They say they have always done it.

What they fail to mention is that they owe A LOT of money to the taxman, and numerous CCJs (which they claim
is under their business name (their ‘brand’), so they don’t have to pay it back). It’s so wrong.

So, for those that feel the pressure of social media, just know that you never know what is happening ‘behind the scenes’. If you can afford it, and it isn’t done for show, then carry on. But going in to debt for social media attention? Nope!

my 4 year old has asked for new school tights from Santa (there is absolutely nothing weong with hers, I hasten to add and she has asked for normal things too but she just loves the enjoyment of anything - even the mundane - if it’s wrapped in Christmas princess wrapping paper 😂).

We’re doing the same OP, lots of little things that they need and want, before they start asking for things like iPads and drones 😅

I don't do huge piles of gifts but I certainly believe there should be multiple things to unwrap.
As for the bigger gifts I try to keep it practical, i.e. get something that will be used or at least something long anticipated. I go all out for the stocking fillers though, there could be stickers, cute stationery, funny socks, fairy lights, keychains, fidget toys etc. I also make sure to add cards, which are mostly actual photos turned into christmas photo montages (think something like this) or sometimes I do handmade cards with paper cutouts, glittery details and so on.

@Timebudda that post sounded full of love between you and your mum. . In many ways, your ‘none Christmas’ has a lot of Christmas spirit!

You sound such fun LOL

I did, i wrap everything individually

Buying yourself presents that you want and need. Now that is an EXCELLENT idea! The thing I hate about the present pile is the waste, but if you do it your way there is no waste!

I'm always torn, because I remember absolutely LOVING the big present pile as a child, but now as an adult it just represents yet more clutter and waste. So I try to strike a balance. I went overboard with my eldest's 2nd Christmas and she was completely overwhelmed, was obviously bored after opening only half the pile, needed a lot of encouragement to stay on task, and then and barely appreciated half the gifts. So I learned my lesson and try to rein it in now and strike more of a balance.

I think 2 is a bit young to base it on i think primary school age is where the big piles is aimed at mostly

It was nice of your parents to try. My friend at school was also from a country where Xmas isn’t a big deal and her parents just didn’t do it. They didn’t bother helping her fit in at school. We used to get a present from ‘Santa’ at school (in the 90s…) and that would be her only present. No Christmas tree or decorations at their house too. They also didn’t celebrate birthdays, strangely. The only presents her and her siblings got was money for passing exams. We’ve lost touch now but I would love to know how she does Xmas now, as an adult, perhaps with her own kids.

We have a big present pile on the go. None of it is tat or waste. It is a mix of things DD has asked for and stuff she needs. I only bought the toys from her list I knew she'd play with, and that last well and will keep in good condition for resale/charity shop. DH and I get each other things we know we want/need/have asked for, we don't buy each other clutter. I go out of my way to not buy too much plastic or poor quality stuff that just breaks. The pile looks great

Really? I never mind as a kid about the parcel I was all about the content. Never thought about the pleasure of the unwrapping until this thread because in my head is a waste of time.
I'll ask my daughter in a couple of years at the end of the day they are her presents.

We’ve always done something you want / need / wear / read and that seems like plenty. Stockings are usually overflowing though

Piles may be the magic for you and your DC but for some it is overwhelming.
In terms of people having issues with other people having piles, that's more about the bragging aspect of it I think. Posting pictures on SM of big piles on Xmas eve is braggy and it could make people either feel inferior or feel the need to compete and have a bigger pile next year.

Wish my parents bought me something or even my kids.... Oh well

I always have a good stack for my kids not the ridiculous amount I see online but still good amount the part i hate is showing it online even in family groups why do they care to brag surely you do it for the kids and your own satisfaction not to brag on social media .

I love big piles of presents at Xmas! My partner thinks its a slippery slope to spoiling our DD but I disagree because she will still be taught the value of hard work and being kind and not being spoilt by us.

Everything I buy is carefully thought out though no pointless rubbish only things I know she will use/things shes genuinely into.

When DS was little I did go for a ‘small pile’. Colouring books, pens, little cars, character sticker books, all sorts. Nothing huge but loved watching his face. One of my friends would buy enough for her 2 grandkids to completely fill one end of her living room ! TBH by the time they got half way through they had lost interest.

Ours still have a medium sized pile as they want clothes which are quite bulky and good to make a pile!

We still send DH down to check if 'he's been' - our two are 18 and 21 now! 😂

I don't know why people assume it must be tat. I see xmas as the perfect time to restock depleted arts and craft supplies, fill in gaps of toys/tech the kids "need", and build a stockpile of activities to see everyone through three (to five) more months of rubbish weather.

I don't consider anything i buy tat, despite my love of a big pile of presents. (And - I haven't posted on Facebook in over 10 years, have never registered for Instagram, and barely even remember to take photos of xmas day).

I love lots of presents, for some reason since having my kids I’ve felt guilty for buying lots at Christmas but this year have freed myself from the guilt. Growing up, me and my sister would come downstairs to a sofa of presents each and I absolutely loved it, it was SO exciting! Still remember the sadness I felt when the pile got smaller as a teen (although quickly replaced by joy at more expensive, smaller gifts). This year everyone is getting a pile of gifts from me - kids, husband, my sister & parents, I’m also hosting for the first year ever in our new house so have gone all out with the multicoloured tinsel & foil decorations and have 3 Christmas trees up. Honestly can’t wait and I’m delighted to get the chance to make my kids christmases as magic as mine were.

Obstgarten minimalists a baby with sensory scarves and balls in a stocking. Now mine is 6 I’m guilty of huge piling (like 10 gifts). It’s more than I got but I did t think I’d ever have a child and with the loss of my parents and not much for me because apparently adults don’t need gifts the many gifts keeps the joy and magic alive.

Second Hand gifts means less waste and some gifts have been rescued from landfill (I used to volunteer at a charity shop and did a bit of rescuing). It’s not a problem as long as you can keep the style going 1 my child would be upset with just three gifts now I think. My husband meanwhile would think therefore himself too many. If you teach gratitude and do not over indulge in all of life then it’s not a problem so far as I can see. Maybe I’m wrong