I don't feel guilty...so why is she insisting I should

[ItsNotOnlyTheGoodBits]

Baby GoodBits is 2yrs 5mos. He doesn't quite 'get' Christmas.

This year we have got him an educational toy and a fun toy. And the only reason he is getting two is because we forgot to get him something last year.

A very good friend of mine asked if I felt guilty that we weren't getting him anything else...no I don't. Was speaking to her a little earlier and she dropped into conversation that some shops are still open in case I want to pop out and get him a proper 'big' present...no I don't, especially at 4:30 on Christmas Eve!

Baby GB will also be getting a micro scooter from my parents (well, my mother), something from my brother, our cleaner has also got him something, and this year a cousin and his family are staying with my parents so they have probably got him something too, and then there is our ante-natal group secret santa. So that makes a grand total of seven presents. He doesn't need any more.

I have no need to feel guilty for him missing out, I don't feel guilty. And until he came along we were quite happy with no presents, only children get presents.

Thanks for the rant

Don't feel guilty.why should you.Parenting isn't jst about buying your children "big" presents at christmas. I have a big age gap between my oldest son and the twins and everyone one comments on the fact that we have spent nothing on them and £50 on our son.The twins are only just a year old and are having a couple of things I've kept from when ds was their age.

I'm in a similar situation.Have a 4 yr old ,5 year old and a baby of almost 4 months.We have got the baby just a couple of things as she has stuff from friends and relatives and we think it made more sense to spend the money on our other 2 who will actually notice iyswim.
I do feel a bit guilty but from past experience i know the baby wont care she'll be perfectly happy just to watch the festivities.
Like Octavia said it's not all about what they get and at such a young age what does it matter?

Don't feel guilty, we have bought DS 2 presents one from us one from big sister, DD has 2 presents one from us one from little brother. She will do very nicely from eveyone else.

Very good friend is sweet but daft IMO.

Although if you have twin babies and older kids, wouldn't the eldest ask some searching questions if the babies only get a couple of hand me downs?

That sounds perfectly fine for a 2yo imo.

But did I read correctly that you forgot to buy him anything last year? Am a little at that tbh.

I tell my older DC that baby doesn't mind not getting anything, and obviously doesn't need anything. They don't have any trouble accepting this truth, and the fact we give the youngest child very little if anything for Christmas or birthdays.

For her 2nd birthday we gave DD... an ice cream. That was it! She was over-joyed.

don't feel guilty. dd turned 4 in March and this is the first year we have bought her a present. She hadn't noticed Xmas before now (she is visually impaired)
Little children don't need huge amounts of money spent on them.

Thanks for your comments. Don't feel guilty at all - he has enough stuff. Friend is indeed very lovely, but someone who likes to see a lot of boxes under the tree.

Frank - we did forget to buy him a present last year, but let me explain myself...we don't normally get each other presents in our family and it just didn't occur to me to get one for him. It is odd as I love Christmas, but to us the dinner and spending the day together is more important. We are also not Christian, if that makes a difference. I did feel suitably guilty last year.

At least I know there are other people not spending huge amounts on their children.

Please don't feel guilty about that!
I have just put together all ds's presents in a pile and it is an obscene amount (from the rest of the family as well).
I feel slightly disgusted as I know he will prob just have one or two favourites.
What a bloody waste!

me too claire. I had said £100 was going to be my absolute maximum but i know i have easily spent double that. I got sucked in to buying him loads of new toys because he is only just outgrowing his baby toys that he was bought at 6 months old (quite a slow developer). As we have got rid of most of those I kept seeing things to replace them and got them. Also I know it's my last year of getting away with spoiling him cos he hasn't actually asked for anything or understand the value of his toys. Next year he will be old enough to say he wants this, that and the other and I don't want to get him everything he asks for then cos he will come to expect it. When it was all in carriers I thought yep that's about £100 but now it's all wrapped up there is waaaaaaay too much. Not doing it next year that's for you.

I have a 4yo a 3yo and a baby of 5 months, the 5 month old has got 3 presents and from Santa she has received a baby walker a friend gave me. She has a stocking but I have filled it with weaning bibs, teethers etc things she will actually need and one little toy. She has 2 big sisters and has more than enough toys.

It's your family you do what you want, won't be long until he is at school asking for DSs and Wiis