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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Anyone else lamenting not quite get their child's presents right this year?

10 replies

Kayoh · 29/12/2025 10:55

I misjudged my 6 year old daughter's Christmas presents. She didn't ask for much, just a Squishmallow. I don't have a huge budget. She got that, plus books, yoto cards, a board game, a Rainbow lab, a Lego set and some crafty bits including a nice painting set.

After the initial excitement I could tell she was a bit flat and going to bed she told me she preferred the presents Santa brought last year. On further questioning next day I realised I missed out imaginative play presents and she'd actually wanted something like Sylvanian families, Barbies, or some kind of doll. I hadn't bought any of this on the basis she already a Barbie camper and some dolls plus various play sets like a Frozen one, all of which she admittedly plays with a lot. So a bit stupid of me in hindsight.

I feel pretty bad as despite how it may sound she's quite a thoughtful child, not generally bratty or spoilt at all.

Long story short I ended up telling her that my Christmas present to her was some money to spend on what she wanted and we went out and she chose some small dolls, which she has not stopped playing with in the 2 days since and has told everyone it's her favourite present. So I feel I've righted it although still a bit sad that Christmas Day wasn't quite what it might have been and that I kind of messed up.

Anyone else wish they'd done it slightly differently?

OP posts:
Santasbigredbobblehat · 29/12/2025 11:00

I had this this year with my three. None of them really asked for much and I had to think what to get them and as the older two are 11 and 12 and have a million Sylvanian families/playmobil/dolls. Also, whilst they still love that stuff, they are getting older so it was a tricky balance. I would say, my two loved getting the above stuff and still do, so don’t rush out of it. In the end they got Lego friends houses which they enjoyed. But the rest of it was a bit flat. (Lava lamps for example did not excite). They also aren’t grabby, but didn’t know what they wanted.
I think your solution was great.

xmasdip2025 · 29/12/2025 11:08

The fact that you picked up on your daughter's feelings, asked about it, reflected on it and then took action to respond to them is incredible.
That's the gift you are giving her which goes way beyond a very narrow social convention of gift-giving - teaching her that her feelings matter and her mother can be trusted with them.

Kayoh · 29/12/2025 11:38

Thank you for your kind post especially @xmasdip2025 , that's lovely. She's a happy girl generally so I think she enjoyed her Christmas but as she's my only (not by choice either) I do feel the pressure of so few Christmasses while she's little.

OP posts:
LifeBeginsToday · 29/12/2025 11:44

Christmas is a disappointing day. There is so much hype and build up then all it is is open presents and have dinner. I think we need to pare back the excitement and expectations then what you've done will feel more than enough.

Cadenza12 · 29/12/2025 11:49

It doesn't really matter how much they get there's always an anti climax when the unwrapping is done.

MayeJane4 · 29/12/2025 22:07

xmasdip2025 · 29/12/2025 11:08

The fact that you picked up on your daughter's feelings, asked about it, reflected on it and then took action to respond to them is incredible.
That's the gift you are giving her which goes way beyond a very narrow social convention of gift-giving - teaching her that her feelings matter and her mother can be trusted with them.

This is such a kind and true post. I couldn't agree more.

You sound like a brilliant Mum 💐

BambinaCucina · 30/12/2025 18:16

You sound like you handled the situation so well. And your daughter sounds like a lovely little girl, so well done.

My, much older, daughter asked for 3 or 4 things and kept changing her mind just as we were going to buy. So we bought her something for a big trip she's taking next year and then she, close to Christmas, came up with another idea. We explained when she opened her gifts that, if she didn't want the big one, we could take it back and she could have the (significant amount) of money instead. She seemed happy with it and said she'd keep it.

When we were packing the car on boxing day to take her home, she said "so was insert last minute asked-for item here never on the cards, then?"

Next year she'll get money on a card and be done with it.

BartholemewTheCat · 30/12/2025 18:28

My DC7 admitted that they wished they’d had more gifts. Usually not grabby at all so I was a bit surprised, but I think her feelings actually related more to the dynamic over Christmas changing somewhat, and it being just the two of us on Christmas Day. I’ll still be paring it back somewhat next year though, there’s just so much STUFF here and it drives me potty.

RessicaJabbit · 30/12/2025 19:38

I think we did okay... sometimes something doesn't "hit" on the day, but ends up being a good present. We got DD6 a record player for her birthday in early December...she was a bit meh about it, but she's actually used it every single day since the day after her birthday 😁

unicornpower · 30/12/2025 19:45

Kind of the same, the biggest hit ended up being the cheap Disney princess dolls that I got really last minute. My eldest is easy to please and was happy with her unicorns but my youngest is a bit more fickle. Some of the expensive stuff I pained over they couldn’t care less about but I’m hoping they will in time (dress up stuff) it’s just such a hype, I think it falls short a lot of the time

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