lots or little at xmas?

Janepig

We go down the one (or sometimes two) main presents with lots of smaller presents. I usually start buying for DS and DD as soon as DH's birthday is out of the way in early September. My dad buys them one (big-ish) present each, and one present for DS on his birthday on Boxing Day - he always checks with me what to get first, sometimes I buy them and he gives me the money. The in-laws on the other hand never check with us, and usually buy loads and loads of stuff which clutter up the house and never get played with.

Jxx

starbump

yummy-mummy-amy wrote: »

so are you like me or OH?

We are like both of you. My family gives lots of gifts and hubby's family gives far fewer gifts - but then I only have one sibling and hubby has three. We do something in the middle ourselves - I like to give multiple gifts but I try to restrict the budget and avoid buying novelty items.

yummy-mummy-amy

OH has got used to the idea and come round to my way of things. he doesnt mind, it just seemed alien to him the first year.

he only has 1 sibling, so its not like they are a big family. her kids get loads more than mine do, but i dont care. i think in some ways i get more as my parents are no longer here.


OH thinks i have lost plot more than ever this year as we have a "magical elf" living with us as well as the usual decorations everywhere, enough gifts to start a toy shop etc.

Sian_the_Green

A magical elf? That sounds fun

I think in our family we try to spend the same amount on everyone and the size and number of presents depends on the person. So for one year I got a hifi as a joint present for birthday and Christmas, another I got lots of bits and pieces, books, toiletries, clothes. My grandma is the worst culprit, she spends a fortune and collects gifts all year as she sees them, we tried to set a budget but she will just ignore it, I guess that Grandmas can do wahtever they want really

mummyof2girls

Hubby's family go for lots of pressies for the kids usually and my family did the same.

I like my girls to have plenty to open (within budget of course), some are big, some little ones, and the stockings are always jam packed!

Hubby & I tend to get each other a few smaller bits most years,as we prefer to get the kids more. There has been the odd year where we've gone mad though, and bought each other loads.

bride_on_a_budget

usually my son has one main present and around 10 small ones from £1 to about £20 each, but as i have been really organised this year he has more presents as i have been buying throughout the year and only just found a load that i bought in may
so this year he will have about 30 smaller ones
but i still spent the same as anyother year

yummy-mummy-amy

A magical elf? That sounds fun

if you go to the thread - fantasic tradition for children on this special occassions section you will find info on it.

Ember999

yummy-mummy-amy wrote: »

hi,

i know there has been similar threads on whether santa brings gifts of friends/family etc.

but was wondering do you do lots or little amount of gifts? the reason for this is when me and OH got together he was totally bemused by the "pile" of gifts he had from me and my parents, as all his life his family did 1 gift each and a selection box etc. (which i thought was strange as i have always had "piles" of gifts.)

OH has got used to the idea of the gifts over the past 5yrs.


i wouldn't say i spend loads but i go bargain hunting - £1 shops, charity shops (new gifts and toys etc), and my kids get 1 big present and the rest of what i spend on them is little bits like books, dvds, pencils, "mini action figures" and such.


so are you like me or OH?

Both hubby and I are like you - Christmas is the time of year when we spoil each other (according to our budget of course) but 'piles' of presents has always been the case for me as a child and as an adult. I used to get a 'sack' as a child and as an adult I pack my hubby's presents into a 'sack' and he loves it!

irchy_mum

yummy-mummy-amy wrote: »

as all his life his family did 1 gift each and a selection box etc. (which i thought was strange as i have always had "piles" of gifts.)

so are you like me or OH?

I was brought up like your OH with one present and some chocolates, & it was only when I had my 1st proper boyfriend over Xmas (1988)that I found out other people had 'stocking fillers'. Think it was because we didn't have much money. I have done lots of little presents since then.

nickiboop

I love lots of little pressies rather than just 1 big one,

my OH though has real problems with the idea of stocking fillers, he would be great with an unlimited budget, but an actual budget causes problems

sooo i have been known to buy my own presents and give them to him to be wrapped:rotfl: