Have you ever TOLD people what to buy your kids?

Taggie

Because I am the bargain hunter of the family, I get the kids Christmas stuff throughout the year and put it all in a cupboard.

In December, I then distribute through various members of mine and DH's family the stuff I have bought, so that they can give them to my kids for Christmas and give me the money back.

They are very happy with this arrangement as it means they haven't got to go traipsing around the shops with the million and one other people, trying to find stuff that is sold out, they also don't have to worry about getting the wrong thing either. I know my family have enough trouble with finding the stuff for my brothers kids.

At least this way, everyone is happy, I have got the bargains, so more for the kids.

Note - have already bought the football annuals 2007, 1/2 price from WHSmiths this week :beer:

The_Bride

Im going to have to do this with the In-Laws this year as they also have the view on presents of quantity not quality. Last year was riduclulous, Im not joking when I say both DD's had around 15-20 presents each. They also insist on us coming around on Christmas Day so they can watch them open their presents.

This year we are putting our foot down and we are not moving from our house.

meerustar

Most of my relatives give me money to go out and buy what the kids will want and then I take it to them, they wrap it and we're all happy.

There is one uncle though who EVERY YEAR buys the kids an annual from the previous year (moneysaving at it's best, lol), a pair of socks and a selection box. It's really sweet as he doesn't have much money and the kids know what to expect now, and they wear the socks when he visits.

looneyleo

I don't see any problem in offering suggestions for gifts...especially for children. My children just get so many presents it's depressing trying to find a place for them in the house. i now make sure all the presents are things the children want and need. I have in the past bought items for family members to wrap and give back but this is usually a bit of a money and time saving thing (i.e. reducing cost of postage on internet, getting the cashback through quidco, earning cash back on credit card etc) you have to take all the money saving opportunities you can!!!!

looneyleo

The_Bride wrote:

Im going to have to do this with the In-Laws this year as they also have the view on presents of quantity not quality. Last year was riduclulous, Im not joking when I say both DD's had around 15-20 presents each. They also insist on us coming around on Christmas Day so they can watch them open their presents.

This year we are putting our foot down and we are not moving from our house.

Good luck with this! I hate it when my kids get quantity not quality! Best to give them a specific thing you want for them and you know what they will like. Very hard to get out of the visiting though isn't it!!!

The_Bride

looneyleo wrote:

Good luck with this! I hate it when my kids get quantity not quality! Best to give them a specific thing you want for them and you know what they will like. Very hard to get out of the visiting though isn't it!!!

Just for once me & DH want a nice quiet ( well, ok , noisy ) Christmas without having to travel anywhere. We don't own a car at the moment so we would to have a minibus, so there and back its about £50. Its time they realised that we are our own little family and we want to spend time together on our own. My family have realised and respected this so I can't see why they won't. If they want to visit us they are more than welcome but F-I-L refuses to leave his house on Christmas Day :rotfl:

Anastacia

We all do a Christmas list in our family so there is nothing much wasted.
Yes, you get to write to Santa your whole life in our family.We have a little grid (spreadsheet - family of accountant types - wouldnt you know it) where everyone slots in a half dozen or so general or very specific ideas for what they would like. When the kids were little we put stuff for them too. Its okay to put money and you would usually get it attached to a teddy from the £1 shopof similar, just to make it a bit more interesting.

Much better than having a load of stuff you really dont want. Second hand presents are also very acceptable. Ebay, car boot, charity shop, even freecycle.

Happy Christmas one & all!

*Louise*

OP - I think your email is a great idea, and the fact you have provided the info about the Riding school is top notch.:T

*Louise*

The_Bride wrote:

Im going to have to do this with the In-Laws this year as they also have the view on presents of quantity not quality. Last year was riduclulous, Im not joking when I say both DD's had around 15-20 presents each. They also insist on us coming around on Christmas Day so they can watch them open their presents.

This year we are putting our foot down and we are not moving from our house.

Yeah - mine do that as well - 20 parcels all costing a pound or two each. I can only think of one or two things that have lasted from last year. I don't realy mind though - if it makes them happy and all that.

The one thing I did put a stop to though was when they told the kids that Santa had left these 20 or so parcels for them at their grandparents house.....I had to explain that Santa only leaves presents at their OWN house (how spoiled to have santa leaving 2 lots) and I want them to appreciate who their parcels are from.

full-time-mum

*Louise* wrote:

The one thing I did put a stop to though was when they told the kids that Santa had left these 20 or so parcels for them at their grandparents house.....I had to explain that Santa only leaves presents at their OWN house (how spoiled to have santa leaving 2 lots) and I want them to appreciate who their parcels are from.

I had a similar problem in that OH family had all presents from santa to the extent that labels were removed from gifts prior to putting in the sack. I insist that the children understand about giving and recieving. I used to have to remove the To xxx love from Father Christmas labels and replace them with To xxx with love from Granny!!!