How many presents do your children get?

[Mickey'snewestfan]

You guys make me feel a little better about the total in our house.

DS11 will get at least one gift from each of the following people:

2 Grandmothers
1 Uncle
1 Great Aunt
My godmother
His godmother

From me he'll get 2 "sets" of gifts

Ipad, ipad case (if I can find a cheap one), itunes card, ipad protection plan.

Snowboard boots (used), snowpants, board jacket, snowboarding pass (nights only)

From Santa he'll get the following, either in or heaped around his stocking:

Bottle of Starbucks sugar free vanilla syrup
Flaming hot cheetoes
Eragon's Guide to Alagaesia
Blank journal
Quill pen and ink
Book light
Subscription to Shonen Jump magazine
Gloves
Hat

and something slightly "bigger" -- probably either a remote control helicopter, longboard style skateboard, or a new video game.

So probably around 23 to 25 total.

I better stop Dissing and go buy these things!

 

[princesshannahsmom]

Yeah, it takes a bit to open all of that! Of course, she is an only child, so maybe that is why the number is a little larger than normal! Like I said, some of her gifts are gifts she can use WITH myself and DH. DH will have a stocking from Santa and one gift for himself. I will have the same (typically). Both dogs and the cat will have stockings and one gift, which DD will open "with" them! The fun on Christmas morning is indescribable and DD doesn't receive much throughout the rest of the year.

She will also receive on Christmas day at my family's Christmas get together. My mom and dad, my brother and sister an law, my other brother, my grandparents, an aunt and uncle and 2 cousins and their wives and children will all gift to my daughter. Of course, this means we will gift to them as well. We mostly do baked goods and a small gift on the side, and smaller gifts to my cousins children. My niece and nephew that will be there will get a larger gift and a smaller gift as well.

 

[GoldieSaysMeep]

41?! That must take forever to open!

About 2 hours probably.

I'm going to answer this from the perspective of one of those spoiled kids who gets an excessive amount of gifts.

We are in our 30's and still get close to 80 each (me and my brother). DB doesn't get as many now, as my parents mostly give to his kids instead now. Takes about 2 1/2 hours.

Last year was DH first Christmas with us and so it took longer because he was not used to it. DH has a hard time with this. I grew up very well off and he grew up in poverty. He feels guilty and overwhelmed but there's no arguing with my parents. Last year, my parents and they got him their usual standard 80 or so gifts.

This year, my parents have decided to give DH & I and DB & his family each WDW trips with a budget of $4K each instead of a "big" gift. We are also getting about 25-35 or so gifts to open and I hope DH is going to be okay. I know they got DH a level one "Rosetta Stone" language program as well as some jeans, about 15 video games (mostly vintage ones for the NES, but I think there was 2 new ones) , PS3 Move, a couple of t-shirts, some team logo stuff for the Bruins and a bunch of gift cards to gamestop, etc. I have no idea what I'm getting.

We made lists because my mom demands lists. I have tried to explain to DH that if you don't make a list you're still going to get as many items, they will just more than likely be in the form of gift cards and things that you don't actually want or need.

I usually don't talk about it. But I'm replying here because some people seemed really shocked at that kid who gets 40+ gifts. I hope she has an easier time than we do. I don't know if it's jealousy or what, but people who DO find out about how generous my parents are typically roll their eyes and are just generally pretty horrible to me and DH about it. It's annoying and hurtful. One of DH friends found out last year because he saw the new (huge) stack of PS3 games and he's made a few rather snide comments this year. It comes off as petty and childish on his part, IMO.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Yeah, it takes a bit to open all of that! Of course, she is an only child, so maybe that is why the number is a little larger than normal! Like I said, some of her gifts are gifts she can use WITH myself and DH. DH will have a stocking from Santa and one gift for himself. I will have the same (typically). Both dogs and the cat will have stockings and one gift, which DD will open "with" them! The fun on Christmas morning is indescribable and DD doesn't receive much throughout the rest of the year.

She will also receive on Christmas day at my family's Christmas get together. My mom and dad, my brother and sister an law, my other brother, my grandparents, an aunt and uncle and 2 cousins and their wives and children will all gift to my daughter. Of course, this means we will gift to them as well. We mostly do baked goods and a small gift on the side, and smaller gifts to my cousins children. My niece and nephew that will be there will get a larger gift and a smaller gift as well.

When I was little my mom would get us about 12 or 13 gifts and my granny (who always spent Christmas with us) would get us about the same. So, that was quite a bit and we never got much during the year, either.

If you count their presents from Santa and from grandparents, my boys will probably get about 30 gifts each, maybe a few more.

 

[Liberty Belle]

About 2 hours probably.

I'm going to answer this from the perspective of one of those spoiled kids who gets an excessive amount of gifts.

We are in our 30's and still get close to 80 each (me and my brother). DB doesn't get as many now, as my parents mostly give to his kids instead now. Takes about 2 1/2 hours.

Last year was DH first Christmas with us and so it took longer because he was not used to it. DH has a hard time with this. I grew up very well off and he grew up in poverty. He feels guilty and overwhelmed but there's no arguing with my parents. Last year, my parents and they got him their usual standard 80 or so gifts.

This year, my parents have decided to give DH & I and DB & his family each WDW trips with a budget of $4K each instead of a "big" gift. We are also getting about 25-35 or so gifts to open and I hope DH is going to be okay. I know they got DH a level one "Rosetta Stone" language program as well as some jeans, about 15 video games (mostly vintage ones for the NES, but I think there was 2 new ones) , PS3 Move, a couple of t-shirts, some team logo stuff for the Bruins and a bunch of gift cards to gamestop, etc. I have no idea what I'm getting.

We made lists because my mom demands lists. I have tried to explain to DH that if you don't make a list you're still going to get as many items, they will just more than likely be in the form of gift cards and things that you don't actually want or need.

I usually don't talk about it. But I'm replying here because some people seemed really shocked at that kid who gets 40+ gifts. I hope she has an easier time than we do. I don't know if it's jealousy or what, but people who DO find out about how generous my parents are typically roll their eyes and are just generally pretty horrible to me and DH about it. It's annoying and hurtful. One of DH friends found out last year because he saw the new (huge) stack of PS3 games and he's made a few rather snide comments this year. It comes off as petty and childish on his part, IMO.

You cannot control your parents.

80 gifts sounds extremely excessive to me (where do you put them all?!), but you didn't ask for 80 gifts and I'm sure your parents are doing it out of love, so you can't blame them, either.

My MIL used to get us way, way too much and then give us each money, too. I felt...bad or guilty, but over the years I learned to accept it graciously and know that it gives her pleasure. This year she has cut way down, thank goodness.

 

[Planogirl]

80 gifts!

I don't see this as wrong or right so no judgment from me. I did know a few very wealthy girls in my past and they couldn't claim so many gifts so I think this is just something that this family enjoys.

To each their own.

 

[GoldieSaysMeep]

I felt...bad or guilty, but over the years I learned to accept it graciously and know that it gives her pleasure.

You hit the nail right one the head. It is fun for my parents to do this. It's not hurting them or anyone else. My dad had a blast this year Ebay'ing the old NES games DH likes. He really loves Ebay. He thinks it's "exciting" lol. I personally can't stand ebay auctions but my dad loves it. It was probably more fun for him to get the gifts than it will even be for DH to get them.

 

[ICF]

We are in our 30's and still get close to 80 each (me and my brother).

That's nuts.....but lucky for you I guess.

Do you give them ideas....or do they just pick them out on their own??

I struggle to come up with more than a few ideas to tell my wife and kids. I couldnt imagine having to come up with 20 ideas, much less 80.

The "big" family trip gift would be awesome present by itself....wish my parents would do something like that.

 

[bethy]

My kids each get 3 gifts from us, plus stocking stuffers. And then 1-2 gifts each from 2 sets of grandparents. And then one from a gift exchange we participate in on my side of the family.

Honestly, by the end of the day that seems like PLENTY.

 

[arubio0801]

Well this is my son first christmas so I didnt get him much only about 22-25 gifts plus his stocking. Christmas is a HUGE deal in my family even though he'll only be 10monthes that not a reason not to get him gifts. But when I was a kid my parents spent the same amount of money my dad spent $500 on me and $500 on my sister and my mom never had a limit she bought us whatever was on our list or wanted. I don't think it matters how many or how much you spend its what you can afford and what you think is right for your family!!!

 

[GoldieSaysMeep]

That's nuts.....but lucky for you I guess.

Do you give them ideas....or do they just pick them out on their own??

I struggle to come up with more than a few ideas to tell my wife and kids. I couldnt imagine having to come up with 20 ideas, much less 80.

The "big" family trip gift would be awesome present by itself....wish my parents would do something like that.

Oh, they demand lists. And no, it is not easy. I used to not give them lists because I thought it was kind of weird (as an adult) but after a few years I realized they were going to spend the money one way or the other so it was better to just make the list.

DH doesn't feel comfortable making a list. He was shocked this year because they asked us about the trip and we said yes and assumed that would be it. Then they asked for lists about 5 minutes later. DH said he didn't want a list because the trip was more than enough and the only other thing he'd really wanted was Rosetta Stone which was, in his opinion, too much. To which my mom replied, "that's a stocking stuffer"

We tried not making lists this year at all. But after getting calls and emails from mom every day for 2 weeks, we caved. I asked for some books and Vinylmations. There were a few other things but I can't remember what. DH made a list of old NES games and books. But I'd guess most of it is going to be stuff she gets that she knows we like.

Last weekend, my mom called me and told me that DH was her favorite person to shop for because "he's fun" so who knows what he'll end up with.

 

[klacey1]

Last weekend, my mom called me and told me that DH was her favorite person to shop for because "he's fun" so who knows what he'll end up with.

That is so sweet that your parents care about your DH so much and love shopping for him!
Do your parents want to adopt me?
Like PP said, absolutely no judgment here, but I also don't think I could think of 80 things I want or need. At that point, I'd probably just start asking for food!

 

[princesshannahsmom]

I usually don't talk about it. But I'm replying here because some people seemed really shocked at that kid who gets 40+ gifts. I hope she has an easier time than we do. I don't know if it's jealousy or what, but people who DO find out about how generous my parents are typically roll their eyes and are just generally pretty horrible to me and DH about it. It's annoying and hurtful. One of DH friends found out last year because he saw the new (huge) stack of PS3 games and he's made a few rather snide comments this year. It comes off as petty and childish on his part, IMO.

Wow! Not only petty and childish, but VERY hurtful. It must be jealousy, because that would be the ONLY reason I could think to make a grown man act that way.

As for DD (who is only 11 by the way), she is VERY humble, and she doesn't brag (not saying you do, but you know what I mean), so I don't see anyone being hurtful to her. I mean honestly, she doesn't really have anything to "brag" about, it isn't like she got the hottest gifts of the year. She got things that are wanted and needed, but most of her wants are "off the wall" to begin with!!!

My feeling is, if her best friends or cousins DO come over shortly after Christmas, they will be so busy with other things, they will NEVER notice the ginormous stack of gifts!!! At least I hope!

When I was growing up, we didn't have much (very little), but Christmas was a BIG DEAL. We didn't get many expensive items, but there were A LOT of smaller items. We had one set of cousins that got anything and everything no matter the cost.

I remember one Christmas, I was a bit older, knew about Santa and knew (from overhearing) that mom and dad were having a hard time buying Christmas. I made sure that mom and dad knew I didn't want much (I think I asked for a new outfit that year) and to make sure that my little brothers got the Christmas they were accustomed to. Needless to say, they did get more than they would have, but still not much and wouldn't you know, one of our cousins (who always had the latest and greatest) just had to brag and show polaroid pictures of EVERYTHING she got. Mind you, this child was like 6, so it was, of course her mother who took the pictures and gave them to her to "show everyone." I know that neither of my brothers thought anything of it, but I had to leave because it made me cry that my brothers didn't get a lot of gifts. I won't let DD have a sad Christmas like that EVER (not that any of her cousins would EVER do that to her), and DD would NEVER, EVER make another child feel the way my cousin did. Its just one of those memories that stuck and I can't ever forget it.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Oh, they demand lists. And no, it is not easy. I used to not give them lists because I thought it was kind of weird (as an adult) but after a few years I realized they were going to spend the money one way or the other so it was better to just make the list.

DH doesn't feel comfortable making a list. He was shocked this year because they asked us about the trip and we said yes and assumed that would be it. Then they asked for lists about 5 minutes later. DH said he didn't want a list because the trip was more than enough and the only other thing he'd really wanted was Rosetta Stone which was, in his opinion, too much. To which my mom replied, "that's a stocking stuffer"

We tried not making lists this year at all. But after getting calls and emails from mom every day for 2 weeks, we caved. I asked for some books and Vinylmations. There were a few other things but I can't remember what. DH made a list of old NES games and books. But I'd guess most of it is going to be stuff she gets that she knows we like.

Last weekend, my mom called me and told me that DH was her favorite person to shop for because "he's fun" so who knows what he'll end up with.

My MIL demands lists, too. This year we each made one on Amazon. It made it easier because we could browse and see things we'd like. She liked it, too, because she did most of her shopping online with free shipping.

 

[GoldieSaysMeep]

That is so sweet that your parents care about your DH so much and love shopping for him!
Do your parents want to adopt me?
Like PP said, absolutely no judgment here, but I also don't think I could think of 80 things I want or need. At that point, I'd probably just start asking for food!

We actually do ask for food! lol I anything kitchen so I always ask for sauces and dipping oils etc. And we both love Japanese candy so "candy from Japan" is always on the list. My brother once said "the best gifts are those that eventually go away" (meaning food/drink)

They know DH didn't have much growing up so I think that's why they like spoiling him so much. They occasionally do get random stuff for my other friends. My mom got a couple of toys for my BFFs new baby that I have to bring over to her from my mom on Sunday.

 

[bethy]

My kids each get 3 gifts from us, plus stocking stuffers. And then 1-2 gifts each from 2 sets of grandparents. And then one from a gift exchange we participate in on my side of the family.

Honestly, by the end of the day that seems like PLENTY.

I should add to my original post that we never give clothing as gifts, nor do we give anything "practical" for Christmas. The few gifts they do get are fun gifts. We don't give small gifts just to have something more to unwrap because unwrapping gifts is just one of the many things we do to celebrate Christmas - it is not THE main thing.

To each their own.

 

[GoldieSaysMeep]

Wow! Not only petty and childish, but VERY hurtful. It must be jealousy, because that would be the ONLY reason I could think to make a grown man act that way.

As for DD (who is only 11 by the way), she is VERY humble, and she doesn't brag (not saying you do, but you know what I mean), so I don't see anyone being hurtful to her. I mean honestly, she doesn't really have anything to "brag" about, it isn't like she got the hottest gifts of the year. She got things that are wanted and needed, but most of her wants are "off the wall" to begin with!!!

My feeling is, if her best friends or cousins DO come over shortly after Christmas, they will be so busy with other things, they will NEVER notice the ginormous stack of gifts!!! At least I hope!

When I was growing up, we didn't have much (very little), but Christmas was a BIG DEAL. We didn't get many expensive items, but there were A LOT of smaller items. We had one set of cousins that got anything and everything no matter the cost.

I remember one Christmas, I was a bit older, knew about Santa and knew (from overhearing) that mom and dad were having a hard time buying Christmas. I made sure that mom and dad knew I didn't want much (I think I asked for a new outfit that year) and to make sure that my little brothers got the Christmas they were accustomed to. Needless to say, they did get more than they would have, but still not much and wouldn't you know, one of our cousins (who always had the latest and greatest) just had to brag and show polaroid pictures of EVERYTHING she got. Mind you, this child was like 6, so it was, of course her mother who took the pictures and gave them to her to "show everyone." I know that neither of my brothers thought anything of it, but I had to leave because it made me cry that my brothers didn't get a lot of gifts. I won't let DD have a sad Christmas like that EVER (not that any of her cousins would EVER do that to her), and DD would NEVER, EVER make another child feel the way my cousin did. Its just one of those memories that stuck and I can't ever forget it.

Oh, what a brat. If we had bragged like that as kids, I guarantee you we would have got coal the next year and our toys taken away.

I did know a handful of kids who got every single dream item. You know, the big things from the FAO Schwartz catalog back in the day. We never got anything THAT big as kids. I always wanted one of those motorized kid cars and my mom would never have gotten us those. Too worried about safety. And they tended to be pretty good judges of what is and isn't going to be a lasting toy. So we didn't get a lot of super trendy things, more things that we kept and played with for years.

 

[mariolatry]

I have a DD3 and a DD5. They always get a book and an outfit from Mommy and Daddy, and a toy from Santa. Presents from grandparents and aunts/uncles are variable, but I think this year they're getting two toys each (one from an my sister and one from my brother-in-law) and a board game to share from my mom. My in-laws made a charitable donation in their name.

I working on doing stockings too but I need to get to the dollar store.

ETA: So, probably 5 presents each and a board game to share.

 

[Longsx3]

If I say I have no idea is that a bad thing? DD (14 and yes an only) usually has a big Christmas, probably because she has never had a long list of items that she wants so I go overboard. This year is probably smaller than most because the camp she wants to attend next summer is pricey, so she understands that is part of her Christmas. Her to big gifts are a laptop and a leather jacket, I got amazing deals on both!

 

[SaraJayne]

Oh, what a brat. If we had bragged like that as kids, I guarantee you we would have got coal the next year and our toys taken away.

I did know a handful of kids who got every single dream item. You know, the big things from the FAO Schwartz catalog back in the day. We never got anything THAT big as kids. I always wanted one of those motorized kid cars and my mom would never have gotten us those. Too worried about safety. And they tended to be pretty good judges of what is and isn't going to be a lasting toy. So we didn't get a lot of super trendy things, more things that we kept and played with for years.

Goldie, I know you didn't ask for or expect these gifts from your parents, so this is not a judgement on you.

But, speaking only for myself, there is no way I'd be able to sit there and open 80 (!!) gifts, when I knew so many people (including children) had nothing.

I would be embarrassed at the ridiculous excessiveness of it all.