Far too many presents!

GlasweJen

I think there's a 3 year old and a baby.

OP don't stress about it. Perhaps the elves could deliver some presents to open after tea on christmas eve? The special bath stuff and a pair of new jammies and clothes for the big day?

On the day itself sort it so that you're opening a few presents at a time over the course of the day.

If you're concerned about her being ungrateful sit with her at some point after Christmas and get her to draw pictures for everyone who sent a gift to say thank you. That or take a photo of her playing with/wearing each gift, get them printed somewhere cheap and get her to help you write a thank you note on the back to send off.

InaPickle

I guess this is more for next year rather than this, but could you ask some relatives for vouchers/money which could be used later, or put in a savings account for DD? That way, she would not get 'overwhelmed' with the number of presents, and you could use the vouchers to buy something she will need/want later on in the year, or just save the money in a bank account for when she is grown up/at uni etc.?

Obviously, not everyone would be happy with this idea, but I think many would if you explained how many presents she got this year and that you were delighted with them, but didn't want her not to appreciate each present fully due to having such a vast array of delights.

ViolaLass

I'm completely bemused by this thread and don't know how to word my question in a way that isn't going to offend someone - is quantity so highly valued over quality? My MIL is the same, she'll give us one or two main presents and then lots and lots of little ones. I've never understood it. More presents = more love?

Why not just remove some of your presents to her? Does she really need a santa sack and a stocking? Aren't they effectively the same thing? And if you want to start your own family Christmas traditions (entirely understandable) why not do it in such a way that doesn't involve presents? e.g. we had certain games we played only at Christmas.

Apologies if I'm saying something completely wrong/off here but I don't understand this situation at all.

Bloomin_Freezing2

I've skipped some of this thread so may've missed OP's reply to the 'give to charity/schools/nursery' suggestion but had to respond. If you think this is a good idea please make sure you only donate presents which you have got for your child. I would be so insulted if I heard 'Little Amy had so many presents last year we donated some', it may well be to a worthy cause but I would think my present wasn't appreciated or good enough so it was given away. I would most probably never buy your or your family gifts again.

I agree with spreading the gifts out, even over a week or so. I remember when DD was 3 she got very bored opening presents as she had so many.

You do sound lucky to have such a generous family but i'd have a word prior to next xmas.

Molly41

Donate some to charity. You will be doing your daughter a favour in a few years as she wont become spoilt by the commercialism of christmas. I wish I had taken that route as I spoilt my kids due to my poor childhood. Its taking some getting used to for them now that they are teens that the money is just not there. As kids get older their presents become more expensive and harder to afford. You sound like a very sensitive and sensible mum x

esmf73

Your child - do what you want to do! My neighbour has the same problem with her daughter, (not her son) and has removed the presents she knows are clothes and will give them during the months following Christmas. She doesn't want presents to be an issue between a 12 yr old and a 5 yr old! Perhaps rather than giving away the gifts you could see what the gifts are and give away current clothes / toys. My children will certainly be doing this.

I leave it until after they've opened their presents because I don't know if family have bought them items to go with things they already have! Ultimately it is your choice. Have a wonderful Christmas - and be OS - save the wrapping paper, ribbons etc and reuse!!!

lilac_rainbow

I think you're worrying over nothing. Just go with the flow and if your girls get overwhelmed then leave the presents for a few hours but you'll know when that is.

Amanda65

mutley74 wrote: »

But as she is still be careful as the demands for kids grows and can be expensive (DS, Wii, phone etc)...and they still expect as much presents to open. My experience is hold some back as other posters for birthdays, Easter etc.

My three children are now 19, 17 and 14 so the 'magic' of Santa long since left our house. As little children they too had loads of presents but for me that was always part of the magic of Christmas. Now they are older, aware of who buys the presents (:D) and know the value of money there is no way they would still expect to receive the same volume of presents they did in years gone buy.

And to the OP - I understand your wish to start your own traditions. Even now mine all get underwear, chocolate coins and a magazine in their stocking

lilmiss1982

My two boys get lots of gifts from family and friends. What I've done this year is let them open some of the gifts early so they can thank the person they are from. Christmas day they will open the gifts in stages, the gifts they have asked Santa for will get opened at home in the morning, later in the day will we head to my folks were they will open presents from the rest of the family. Then boxing day they start on the thank you cards.

clw1

We are the same as my LO gets loads of pressies (none very expensive but so many little bits). What we do is to open them over a few days - we leave the ones from us and friends until later and do ones from grandparents / uncles who are with us on the day. It saves them all getting opened and ignored in a mass of paper.

We also quietly remove a few of the opened pressies and then re-produce them through Jan & Feb so that he gets to spread the excitement. It helps that are LO is only 2 so he doesn't really notice this yet.