speaking of gifts: is anyone attemping to tell grandparents to keep it minimal

Miss.Modular

on xmas/ birthdays?  husb and I *really* want to keep things a bit more minimal with the gift giving, party because we don't have that much room, and partly because, well, he doesnt NEED a ton of stuff.     our parents go really overboard with the gifts, so i don't know how this will go over hehe

 

 

JessMil10

I usually tell them exactly what we need but they don't really buy her all that much anyway. For her birthday I have a list of things that I would love for Brooke to get so people have an idea. We don't have that much room in our house!

tarebear9891

Yes! For his birthday we have asked for books and clothes! He has a playroom full of toys and half you barely touches. I have a feeling we are going to be ignored lol....

FolanMama

I didn't ask for it, but my FIL set up an acct in both girls' names and a designated amount goes into those accounts every payday.  B/c of this, the girls get NO gifts from him, but their bank accounts are better than ours...  When the Godparents were asking what to do, I mentioned this idea and they loved it and are going to follow suit.

Now, my mother... I can't get her to stop shopping.  I just had to cut her off from buying  clothes for Amelia b/c she has 94, yes 94, full outfits just in the 9-12mth size.  I told her if she needs to buy clothes, she can donate them to a shelter.

adamwife

Sigh.

I have this fight with my mother all.the.time.

I made her take back 90% of what she bought for Christmas.  This was after I told her that I didn't want a bunch of stuff.

I finally told her that if she continues to buy all those toys I will be boxing them up and taking them to Goodwill.  That seemed to settle her down a bit.

mrskadams

I know I told our parents that.  On my side it worked.  On the boys' side, their family goes totally overboard when it comes to gifts.  I think they feel that more gifts = more love.  It's a shame because I know my boys don't feel that way.  For example, they just got laptops for their 13th birthday.  Personally, I find that extravagant.

brooketini

I keep a little list of things that she needs in case they ask. I don't really think you can tell them "keep it minimal" unless they specifically ask what they can get him. Then maybe say "he needs x,y,z or you could contribute to his savings account". (Or someone mentioned the other day a gift card to the photo studio you use and I thought that was an excellent idea.)

mustangsallie

Last Christmas DD was 4 months old and my MIL gave her an American Girl Doll... Cuz babies need $80 dolls? I dunno - it is impossible to stop them from buying so I just say bring it on! My grandparents gave money - they rock

engaged678

I told them to cool it. They've already got Christmas gifts so I made his birthday party a "your gift is your presence" party.

They'll probably make a scene... we'll see I guess!

*KatieH*

I tried but they just do what they want so I am not wasting my breath anymore. ?Every season we will/have donate(d).?

shari_rngleson

my parents just give money for her college.  mil goes overboard so i probably will do no shopping at all!!  that way it evens out!

LoriFalce

HeII no.

My mother has gone overboard on my nephews and niece for years. Asking her to do less for Joseph would seem weird, and ultimately could make Joseph feel like the odd-duck on those occasions.

disbride061103

My biggest problem is my family buying stuff that isn't age approiate.  DS was not quite 3 months at Christmas.  My sister bought him a toy that was very clearly stated that it was 18m+.  She said she just liked it and thought I could supervise him when he plays with it.  It has small removeable parts and there is no way I would even take it out of the package.  It boggles  my mind because my sister has kids, she knows better.