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Christmas

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Original poster

Am I being stingy with kids presents?

183 replies

MunsterMumm · 21/12/2025 12:11

Got three DC - DS6, DD4 and DD who is 2 months old.

We have bought DS a toy he really wanted and books and DD a bike. These are the "Santa" presents. And from us a board game each. In stockings they'll get a bath bomb and chocolate coins. Baby is getting some socks just to have something under the tree.

They will get presents from both grandparents after Christmas, and grandparents usually shower them with gifts so I didn't want to get them too much because the get overwhelmed and I cannot cope with too much stuff. DS is also a bit more difficult to buy for as he has things like a bike already a wants a tablet which we have already said no to. They have thibgs like magnetic tiles and Lego so I'm at a loss as to what else to get. Grandparents are getting Lego, remote control car and toys etc

I've just seen on a different thread someone worried that three presents each for the kids won't be enough and now I'm worried we've not got them enough! I don't want to buy little cheap bits like slime, small toys etc because they'll get opened and tossed to one side after 5 mins never to be played with again. I also really want the kids to learn early on it's not about quantity. But I also want them to be happy at Christmas.

Is what we have enough or should I get some more? If so, any suggestions on meaningful presents for a 6 and 4 year old that aren't clothes?

thank you

OP posts:
Chinsupmeloves · 23/12/2025 18:50

To add, we don't do stocking, just presents altogether. Xx

rrrrrreatt · 23/12/2025 18:54

Halfjob · 22/12/2025 22:14

I think this is it for me too. I don’t get my children piles of presents -they usually have a main present, another present and some books from us- but just two things in the stocking seems really flat and lacking in magic.

Growing up, the stocking was always the most exciting part, waking up and feeling the weight of it on the end of the bed, trying to resist opening it and then it being full of little surprises. My children agree and even the adults still have a stocking.

The sort of thing I’d put in for younger children
A tube of sweets -I never buy them sweets
Mr matey or colour changing bath stuff or foam soap
A keyring based on their current interests
An add on for an existing toy- a bridge for their train track, some happyland or playmobil characters, a small Lego set that goes with one of their other sets, wheels or letters to go with the magnetic tiles, a toy car, wooden food to go with the toy kitchen.
Something creative -colouring, mini notepad, spy pen, one of those pens that does different colours, origami, beads, stamps…
Something I would never buy like a blind bag or slime or a bouncy ball
character pants or socks
playdoh, gem dig set, magic snow, , a kaleidoscope, a shaker, a harmonica …

I know some of that is stuff you’ve said you don’t want to buy but if you did want ideas you may find some there

Show quote history

This was basically my childhood stocking and I still remember the bits I got fondly now at 36!

I only got Mr Matey at Christmas plus minstrels and fluffy slipper socks that I put on straight away. Every time I smell minstrels I’m reminded of the Tiny Tears doll I got when I was 5 or 6.

Goldengirl123 · 23/12/2025 18:57

I would buy more but maybe practical things

BeaLola · 23/12/2025 20:15

When DS 17 was little the magic was the sack - a hessian one like a potato sack but personalised with his name - the awe, the wonder and the magic of it all as he excitedly woke to find it , now I'll be lucky to get 2 words out of him unless it's about what time dinner is .

We used to put a huge bag of crisps or popcorn in - so things we didn't normally buy him - one year a pot noodle as he was fascinated by his uncle eating one

Matey bubble bath, a Spider-Man toothbrush, themed pants , socks and one of those make paper aeroplane books, a silly flashing Christmas toy, always a soft toy of sone sort sticking out the top , when a little older a Harry Potter dressing gown, a wand, chocolate ,

I wish I could get that joy again - now he says he's too old for a sticking/sack (I have still dove a small one )

JoWilkinsonsno1fan · 23/12/2025 20:38

Yes I would add more if I could afford to. Mine always loved crafts and colouring books and something sporty like a new football.

Mine have always had stockings at the bottom of their bed - a little bit of chocolate, crayons, hot wheels car that sort of thing…they still have a stocking now at 19 and 21!

Original poster
MunsterMumm · 24/12/2025 00:29

Howardyoudo · 23/12/2025 18:44

How ridiculous? You saw on another thread something said something and took that as gospel?
Do people not think for themselves anymore? Are you so influenced by what some random Joe said?
you were perfectly fine before that but now want to do something you were not going to do?

You are 100% right, it's totally ridiculous but I'm a sleep deprived mess at the moment and feeling incredibly guilty about not being able to give each child quality one on one time this Christmas with the baby needing feeding every three minutes and in a moment of doubt and guilt while breastfeeding made a post about presents.

I'm glad I posted as it made me remember that the kids do need some practical things like a new water bottle etc and I actually got the baby a new hooded towel which arrived yesterday, so instead of just opening it like I normally would I'm going to give it as a gift to baby from Santa. The kids have a lot of practical stuff already and don't need lots of new things but the few things we do need are easy to get and I'll use that to pad things out.

Also, DD very sweetly picked out an old toy, helped wrap it and made a card for the baby too so actually all the kind suggestions on this thread have helped out!

I have bought DD a small toy to go alongside the bike and craft bits for both, and I know DS will be chuffed to bits with what he has because he keeps saying he hopes Santa had got him this.

DD has said she hopes it will snow this Christmas so the generational disappointment on that front will unfortunately continue but not much I can do about that sadly!

Thanks again for the tips. Thinking about our family dynamics has made me think perhaps for our family less is more is the right approach (although the gifts weren't cheap!!) but I'll report back if there is any disappointment 🤣

OP posts:
Tillow4ever · 24/12/2025 03:34

MunsterMumm · 24/12/2025 00:29

You are 100% right, it's totally ridiculous but I'm a sleep deprived mess at the moment and feeling incredibly guilty about not being able to give each child quality one on one time this Christmas with the baby needing feeding every three minutes and in a moment of doubt and guilt while breastfeeding made a post about presents.

I'm glad I posted as it made me remember that the kids do need some practical things like a new water bottle etc and I actually got the baby a new hooded towel which arrived yesterday, so instead of just opening it like I normally would I'm going to give it as a gift to baby from Santa. The kids have a lot of practical stuff already and don't need lots of new things but the few things we do need are easy to get and I'll use that to pad things out.

Also, DD very sweetly picked out an old toy, helped wrap it and made a card for the baby too so actually all the kind suggestions on this thread have helped out!

I have bought DD a small toy to go alongside the bike and craft bits for both, and I know DS will be chuffed to bits with what he has because he keeps saying he hopes Santa had got him this.

DD has said she hopes it will snow this Christmas so the generational disappointment on that front will unfortunately continue but not much I can do about that sadly!

Thanks again for the tips. Thinking about our family dynamics has made me think perhaps for our family less is more is the right approach (although the gifts weren't cheap!!) but I'll report back if there is any disappointment 🤣

Show quote history

I think the extra bits you have decided to do are perfect. You haven’t gone crazily overboard with stuff for the sake of it, at their ages just seeing a small pile of presents is extremely exciting - even if they turn out to be mostly practical stuff. I love that you got your DD involved in choosing one of their old toys to wrap for the baby as well!

Have a really lovely Christmas!

Raindancer411 · 24/12/2025 05:13

pahhdgaa · 21/12/2025 15:33

It’s your decision of course, but doesn’t sound very fun. I grew up with a lovely pile of presents and loved it, now I love doing it for my children. It just brings a lot of joy to me and them! Suppose it depends on how you enjoy Christmas.

Same here. I have lovely memories of the sofa stacked high and do the same for my kids. I love the magic and they don’t get much through the year, so birthdays and Xmas are time to spoil them.

Everyone does Christmas how they want, and that is all that matters.

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