How many gifts are you getting LO for Christmas?

Tigerlillies · November 2011

Do you remember how many you used to get for Christmas?

I feel like we never got more than 10 presents each. And I never felt deprived. I am one of 3 kids- all really close in age- so we shared alot of our toys. My SIL told me that she has 27 gifts already and is still shopping. Her son is 2. I was completely floored. It's going to take them forever to open everything. Plus, he'll get tons of stuff when they get to our big family gathering and all the aunts and uncles give him prsents. I was thinking of around maybe 7 gifts. But compared to my nephew, that's nothing.

MrsSR · November 2011

We were pretty poor growing up so we didn't get much. I'd get a couple gifts and they'd be small (playdoh, new slippers, some clothes, maybe a Barbie). We did do a week of stocking stuffers though. Those would be inexpensive things such as lipsmackers, a candy cane shaped pen, some stickers, etc.

DD is very, very, very spoiled. I'll admit that. She will be getting a ton from us and others I am sure.

ETA: When she is a little older we will stick with 7 stocking stuffers and 3 gifts (to symbolize the wise men). Right now the things we got her are smaller. We were going to do it this year, as we did last year, but we (and by that I mean "me") got out of control.

kmwills · November 2011

I have 4 gifts for DD. She already has so much, and I know both sets of grandparents and all the aunts/uncles will also get her a ton of things. Also, she's still pretty young to actually understand exactly what is going on.

OhSewCrafty · November 2011

He's getting a few things, but all of them are small. Puzzles, magnets for the fridge, mittens and a hat, a Christmas book, etc. I'm wrapping things and individually as possible so he has a lot to open because, lets be real - that's his favorite part.

sarahandeddiejune212008 · November 2011

We were very fortunate growing up. I'd say we each had 20 or more things to open up. Some things were little, others were bigger. Generally we each got 1 big gift (i.e. a bike, telescope, ext). DD will probably have about 20 things to open, maybe more, but we are gettting her a whole bunch of new books. I get them at a discounted price through school. We are more focused on setting a budget and going from there.

BelleIsa · November 2011

Seeing as DD won't remember this Christmas, we're not getting her anything specific. We're buying a LeapPad and a play kitchen, but we're doing that next weekend, not Christmas. She'll get plenty of gifts from grandparents to open.

FrickandFrack · November 2011

We used to get a good amount but that was when we were a little older. I bought DS some books. Other than that, DH's aunt gave us his cousin's work bench that is still pretty new and a neighbor gave us a small bike that both her kids used. I don't think it's necessary to go all out and spend tons of money.

anukindaluv · November 2011

I went overboard last year and even tho I say I'm not going to do the same this year, I know its almost inevitable. LOL I can say that we don't buy him a lot of toys b/c we kinda expect friends and family to buy them the fun stuff!

pitterpatter129 · November 2011

We got a shape sorter and a bouncy ball. He's a Dec. Bday too though, so a rocking horse for his bday. He'll get things from others too, so he has plenty. I think a big item and a few small things is plenty. Hopefully, we can keep that up each year. I'm not big on the idea of a bedroom (and for some a playroom too) so full of toys you can't even play with them all. We will purge from the current pile too after Xmas.

Kimee13 · November 2011

DS will be the only grandchild on my side and my mother and sister are already out of control as are DH and I, so counting everyones(us, grandparents, aunts/uncles) contributions he'll have around 30. We've bought him 10 and we'll pick up a few more on BF, along with stocking stuffers.

Growing up Christmas and birthdays were a HUGE deal(20+ gifts) for my family, and I plan on continuing this tradition.

92405bride · November 2011

We are sticking to 4 gifts with the theme: want, need, wear, read, and then a stocking with really little things. This is the first year she'll really understand opening gifts - and she'll get tons from family. She also has a Jan 31st bday so we don't want to go too overboard with Christmas presents. Plus we have no room for them anyway!

misskristina21 · November 2011

I'm not going overboard on presents for her. We got her 1 big present (a kitchen) and so far about 6 little presents. Plus stocking stuffers. I know that she is also getting 2 more big presents from my parents (a wagon and one of those crazy coupe cars) and she'll get tons more presents from DH's family, and then my extended family.

We always got a ton of stuff growing up. Not so much as teenagers, because by then we were getting electronics.

Sept1799 · November 2011

I go all out for Christmas. Mainly becuase I don't buy her stuff all year long. I do give her some things for Easter and her b-day but she gets the majority of stuff at x-mas.

I do buy her clothes for each season that she NEEDS.

But the toys usually comes at Christmas (b-day is jewlery - starting her early and Easter is all smaller items like puzzles)

So far I have the following-

Play Kitchen - Step 2 - $130

Food - Free from a TRU special

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and characters (on Disneystore.com - a bumpie told us about it) $60

Mickey and his car - $9 (from walmart - disney item)

Mickey and his plane - $9 (from walmart - disney item)

Cabbage Patch Kid - $35

Minnie Outfit (shirt and pants) from Bealls - $20

Gingerbread PJs for Christmas Night - $12

Minnie Mouse PJs - $12

For her stocking

Toothpaste

Toothbrush

Board book (from the dollar area at Target)

2 Small board books of Minnie and Mickey (they came together and from Targert dollar area)

box of crayons

2 coloring books

We are going to downtown disney and going to buy her a couple of more things there. I think we are going to get Mickey doll (small one) that will match the minnie one her grandparents brought her for her b-day. I know we will get her a couple of shirts or something like that.

Her Grandparents (my parents) and good friends of ours (she calls them aunt and uncle) are the only ones that really buy her gifts.

Her aunt and uncle brought her one of those little motorized car things from wal-mart, it goes like 2 mph.

Her grandparents already brought her a Step 2 table and chairs, donald and his car (again from walmart), the holiday barbie, a tea set

ANJ410 · November 2011

DD will be getting quite a bit this year. Up until now she has mostly been playing with infant toys that are no longer developmentally challenging. I actually went through my house last week and boxed up 5 large boxes of infant toys,which I donated to a local church. Anything left that is age appropriate is a hand-me-down from DS. I have nothing against my DD playing with boy toys, but we literally have like two toys for a little girl in our house and now that she is older and starting to like babydolls, and Dora and the princesses, I figure its about time that she gets some girl toys of her own.

DS will be getting quite a bit too because he is older now and a lot of his toys no longer interest him. This year we are getting him several board games, a TAG reading system and a few older kid toys like an air hockey table. I plan to box up and donate a lot of his old stuff too to make room for all of the new stuff.

Mt2G1012 · November 2011

We are only getting her more books. My mom, dad, step mom and sister will spoil her silly like they did for her bday. For her bday we got the PBK chair but I don't think we'll be getting anything big for Christmas. I may get her a new toy from santa, but it won't be expensive. Christmas, IMO, is not about the gifts at all and I don't want her to grow up thinking that. It is about spending time together as a family and having fun.

TiggerLuv80 · November 2011

I'm pretty sure we've gotten DS (1 yr old) about 10 maybe 15 things and DD (10 yr old) about the same.

knbarr · November 2011

We will go all out for the most part- She will get about 5 presents from Santa that will be unwrapped ( This is how it was growing up when we were kids) She will get her stocking filled and then we got her probably around 7-10 presents that will be wrapped and from us.

PoseyMamma · November 2011

Both girls will be getting one big item from Santa plus a couple of books. This year DD#1 is going to be getting a stroller combo set from Santa and DD#2 is going to be getting a kick-n-play piano thing. They will also get a read and record book from Santa to share. I would love to get each of them one but those things are expensive so they will get one to share. They will also get 5-6 things in their stocking. They will get 2-3 items to open from mommy and daddy and then they will each by one to two things for each other.

greengirl0909 · November 2011

I've been blown away to hear the number of gifts little ones get. We always take into account our outside family celebrations. LO gets a gift from each of our big family exchanges, one from each grandparents, one from my sister, one from DHs brother. Then we usually give him 2 or 3. This ends up with 10 gifts total, plus some stocking stuffers. To me, this is plenty. He isn't capable of playing with them all right now anyway!

I think the bigger problem comes in when LO gets older. Sure, you can afford 20 gifts now, but what about when the gifts he's asking for are $50 a piece? That's a hard lesson for a kid to learn, that more money = less presents. We are trying to be very practical in our gift giving habits so we don't fall into a cycle of having to top ourselves every year.

melody921 · November 2011

In addition to DS's stocking, which will just have little stuff, I'd estimate 3-4. I'm thinking a toy or two, a book and an outfit, which he'll probably get ahead of time to wear for visiting. WTH does a 2 yo need 27 gifts for? That seems crazy and like it's going to be hard to keep up with in the years to come.

babywisher · November 2011

We never got an overabundance of gifts. We never felt we did without either.

DS will be getting one big gift (radio flyer tricycle) and 2 other under $20 gifts. Then books and undies and such for stocking stuffers.

cocojack10 · November 2011

Last year I think I got the boys (then 2 mo) maybe a total of 10 things, all smaller items. This year, we don't know what to do. We want to get them one big item to share (ie, swing set, outdoor playhouse), but they are still too young for any of those things. They already have so many toys, and I know the family will spoil them with more, so pointless to add to the toy mess IMO.

We will buy them a couple of things, but won't go crazy bc 1) they don't understand what is going on and 2) as I said, they will be getting a lot bc of the size of our families, which we are very grateful for.

NKR717 · November 2011

I answered this in another post, but three from "Santa", since that is what Jesus got. I will be making her a gift from me, and DH will pick her out an ornament each year. She will also get a stocking. I would say DH and I come from mixed Christmas camps.

He said that he rarely got anything throughout the year, but was spoiled rotten on Christmas. I probably got about 6-10 gifts as a child, some smaller and a couple larger. We decided on the tradition for our children prior to being married since we wanted them to keep the true meaning of Christmas in their hearts always, and we knew that she would be treated very generously by other family members.

ANJ410 · November 2011

guppysown@yahoo.com:

I've been blown away to hear the number of gifts little ones get. We always take into account our outside family celebrations. LO gets a gift from each of our big family exchanges, one from each grandparents, one from my sister, one from DHs brother. Then we usually give him 2 or 3. This ends up with 10 gifts total, plus some stocking stuffers. To me, this is plenty. He isn't capable of playing with them all right now anyway!

I think the bigger problem comes in when LO gets older. Sure, you can afford 20 gifts now, but what about when the gifts he's asking for are $50 a piece? That's a hard lesson for a kid to learn, that more money = less presents. We are trying to be very practical in our gift giving habits so we don't fall into a cycle of having to top ourselves every year.

I feel like you are talking to me specifically because I posted last night about needing some more ideas for DD since we've already bought DS about 20 gifts and hardy anthing for her, and you responded by saying that you judge me for buying a four year old 20 gifts.

I am going answer you here by saying that for the last few years all my son was interested in was matchbox cars, the movie Cars, and coloring. He was still very much a baby and enjoyed playing with toddler toys. Over the last year his skills have grown tremendously. There is a huge difference between a 3 year old and a 4 year old, so many of his current toys are no longer developmentally challenging. In the next few weeks, I plan to pack up and donate everything that is no longer age appropriate, which will leave him with practically nothing to play with, that is why we bought him so many gifts. Also, not one of the gifts we got him is over the $50 range. So far two of the gifts were $40, the rest were under $20. All of his gifts add up to between $250 and $300.

We got him a bunch of board games (Chutes & Ladders, Operation, Don't Tip the Waiter, Connect Four), a TAG reading pen and a few books, a table top air hockey game, a balance board and a trampoline since he is very physically active and staying indoors during the winter months are tough on him, a working ATM bank to teach him about money, some older-kid arts and crafts, this year's Hess car (we get him one every year) and a remote control monster truck. Plus a new table and chairs set for the two of them to share, a new toy box for them to share and some stocking stuffers.

Mt2G1012 · November 2011

ANJ410:
guppysown@yahoo.com:

I've been blown away to hear the number of gifts little ones get. We always take into account our outside family celebrations. LO gets a gift from each of our big family exchanges, one from each grandparents, one from my sister, one from DHs brother. Then we usually give him 2 or 3. This ends up with 10 gifts total, plus some stocking stuffers. To me, this is plenty. He isn't capable of playing with them all right now anyway!

I think the bigger problem comes in when LO gets older. Sure, you can afford 20 gifts now, but what about when the gifts he's asking for are $50 a piece? That's a hard lesson for a kid to learn, that more money = less presents. We are trying to be very practical in our gift giving habits so we don't fall into a cycle of having to top ourselves every year.

I feel like you are talking to me specifically because I posted last night about needing some more ideas for DD since we've already bought DS about 20 gifts and hardy anthing for her, and you responded by saying that you judge me for buying a four year old 20 gifts.

I am going answer you here by saying that for the last few years all my son was interested in was matchbox cars, the movie Cars, and coloring. He was still very much a baby and enjoyed playing with toddler toys. Over the last year his skills have grown tremendously. There is a huge difference between a 3 year old and a 4 year old, so many of his current toys are no longer developmentally challenging. In the next few weeks, I plan to pack up and donate everything that is no longer age appropriate, which will leave him with practically nothing to play with, that is why we bought him so many gifts. Also, not one of the gifts we got him is over the $50 range. So far two of the gifts were $40, the rest were under $20. All of his gifts add up to between $250 and $300.

We got him a bunch of board games (Chutes & Ladders, Operation, Don't Tip the Waiter, Connect Four), a TAG reading pen and a few books, a table top air hockey game, a balance board and a trampoline since he is very physically active and staying indoors during the winter months are tough on him, a working ATM bank to teach him about money, some older-kid arts and crafts, this year's Hess car (we get him one every year) and a remote control monster truck. Plus a new table and chairs set for the two of them to share, a new toy box for them to share and some stocking stuffers.

You are completely welcome to spend your money how you like, but I think this is an insane amount of gifts and would never get that much for my kids. But that is the joy of being a parent, we get to decide what we want to do with our own kids!

greengirl0909 · November 2011

ANJ410:
guppysown@yahoo.com:

I've been blown away to hear the number of gifts little ones get. We always take into account our outside family celebrations. LO gets a gift from each of our big family exchanges, one from each grandparents, one from my sister, one from DHs brother. Then we usually give him 2 or 3. This ends up with 10 gifts total, plus some stocking stuffers. To me, this is plenty. He isn't capable of playing with them all right now anyway!

I think the bigger problem comes in when LO gets older. Sure, you can afford 20 gifts now, but what about when the gifts he's asking for are $50 a piece? That's a hard lesson for a kid to learn, that more money = less presents. We are trying to be very practical in our gift giving habits so we don't fall into a cycle of having to top ourselves every year.

I feel like you are talking to me specifically because I posted last night about needing some more ideas for DD since we've already bought DS about 20 gifts and hardy anthing for her, and you responded by saying that you judge me for buying a four year old 20 gifts.

I am going answer you here by saying that for the last few years all my son was interested in was matchbox cars, the movie Cars, and coloring. He was still very much a baby and enjoyed playing with toddler toys. Over the last year his skills have grown tremendously. There is a huge difference between a 3 year old and a 4 year old, so many of his current toys are no longer developmentally challenging. In the next few weeks, I plan to pack up and donate everything that is no longer age appropriate, which will leave him with practically nothing to play with, that is why we bought him so many gifts. Also, not one of the gifts we got him is even close to the $50 range. So far two of the gifts were $40, the rest were under $20. All of his gifts add up to between $250 and $300.

We got him a bunch of board games (Chutes & Ladders, Operation, Don't Tip the Waiter, Connect Four), a TAG reading pen and a few books, a table top air hockey game, a balance board and a trampoline since he is very physically active and staying indoors during the winter months are tough on him, a working ATM bank to teach him about money, some older-kid arts and crafts, this year's Hess car (we get him one every year) and a remote control monster truck. Plus a new table and chairs set for the two of them to share, a new toy box for them to share and some stocking stuffers.

Please know that I was not trying to be unkind, I was genuinely asking for you to share your philosophy to see if I could understand your position. I tried to say that I knew it sounded judgey and I didn't know how else to put it. My apologies if I offended you. I did use your number as an example, which wasn't fair and I'm sorry for that.

It appears we have different thoughts on this matter. For me, even if LO had outgrown all of his toys I wouldn't replace them all at one time. Even if I bought some games or toys on great sales, I'd probably put them up and bring them out at a different time. I might save some for birthdays, and so on. We usually give LO a gift on Valentines, and I know some people don't, so we might utilize one for that. In my family, with the toys that LO will get from our extended family he'll have plenty without us buying so many. I know some families don't have that same kind of situation. 20 does seem extreme to me, to each his own I suppose.

ANJ410 · November 2011

guppysown@yahoo.com:
ANJ410:
guppysown@yahoo.com:

I've been blown away to hear the number of gifts little ones get. We always take into account our outside family celebrations. LO gets a gift from each of our big family exchanges, one from each grandparents, one from my sister, one from DHs brother. Then we usually give him 2 or 3. This ends up with 10 gifts total, plus some stocking stuffers. To me, this is plenty. He isn't capable of playing with them all right now anyway!

I think the bigger problem comes in when LO gets older. Sure, you can afford 20 gifts now, but what about when the gifts he's asking for are $50 a piece? That's a hard lesson for a kid to learn, that more money = less presents. We are trying to be very practical in our gift giving habits so we don't fall into a cycle of having to top ourselves every year.

I feel like you are talking to me specifically because I posted last night about needing some more ideas for DD since we've already bought DS about 20 gifts and hardy anthing for her, and you responded by saying that you judge me for buying a four year old 20 gifts.

I am going answer you here by saying that for the last few years all my son was interested in was matchbox cars, the movie Cars, and coloring. He was still very much a baby and enjoyed playing with toddler toys. Over the last year his skills have grown tremendously. There is a huge difference between a 3 year old and a 4 year old, so many of his current toys are no longer developmentally challenging. In the next few weeks, I plan to pack up and donate everything that is no longer age appropriate, which will leave him with practically nothing to play with, that is why we bought him so many gifts. Also, not one of the gifts we got him is even close to the $50 range. So far two of the gifts were $40, the rest were under $20. All of his gifts add up to between $250 and $300.

We got him a bunch of board games (Chutes & Ladders, Operation, Don't Tip the Waiter, Connect Four), a TAG reading pen and a few books, a table top air hockey game, a balance board and a trampoline since he is very physically active and staying indoors during the winter months are tough on him, a working ATM bank to teach him about money, some older-kid arts and crafts, this year's Hess car (we get him one every year) and a remote control monster truck. Plus a new table and chairs set for the two of them to share, a new toy box for them to share and some stocking stuffers.

Please know that I was not trying to be unkind, I was genuinely asking for you to share your philosophy to see if I could understand your position. I tried to say that I knew it sounded judgey and I didn't know how else to put it. My apologies if I offended you. I did use your number as an example, which wasn't fair and I'm sorry for that.

It appears we have different thoughts on this matter. For me, even if LO had outgrown all of his toys I wouldn't replace them all at one time. Even if I bought some games or toys on great sales, I'd probably put them up and bring them out at a different time. I might save some for birthdays, and so on. We usually give LO a gift on Valentines, and I know some people don't, so we might utilize one for that. In my family, with the toys that LO will get from our extended family he'll have plenty without us buying so many. I know some families don't have that same kind of situation. 20 does seem extreme to me, to each his own I suppose.

My response wasn't meant to sound angry, I was just stating the reasons why we bought so much. And you're right, it is a lot at once, but after the holidays pass, time feels like it drags by ever so slowly until Spring arrives (which isn't really until May here....that's when the weather finally warms up). My son gets really restless and bored in the house. He goes to school everyday, but then is stuck inside from 2:30 until the next morning. Usually what we do after we give him the Xmas presents is put some away to take out down the road so he has something new and interesting throught the long winter.

Also, just adding in that I ask the extended family to buy clothes and pj's for my LO's since I feel like Santa is the big "hoorah" on Christmas and brings most of the toys.

Mih'smom · November 2011

Growing up Christmas was big in our house. As younger kids we would get a ton of toys so I have kind of started the same tradition in my family. He is getting 2 gifts from Santa that will be open come Christmas morning and about 14 (at least what I am counting) gifts of various sizes and price ranges from us. This includes some needs like an additional winter coat, PJ's, slippers etc. He usually gets clothes from his grands, aunts and uncles so we load up on toys. I will admit his excitment this year over toys has caused us to go kind of crazy but his smile Christmas morning will be worth it.

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