How many presents do your children get?

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I would really enjoy opening up 80+ gifts, lol

Me too. I have repressed a good majority of my childhood, but I think my dad was a giver like this, my mother just was his balance. Even more, I think I would enjoy just one Christmas as an adult like this (don't want to sound too jealous). Since my DH grew up poor and I had the kids (we will be married 20 years soon), I have totally dropped myself out of the gift giving pool to make up for them. I miss it, and Goldie, I wouldn't be one be upset nor care what other think, if you and your parents are happy, that is what matters!!

 

[indimom]

My kids are getting 10 gifts, plus very full stockings. It's a pretty small Christmas for us this year since we've got medical bills to cover and we're in emergency car saving mode right now. We've had years where they both had probably twice as many gifts.

 

[mhsjax]

I grew up pretty well off. I got probably 14 gifts to open plus major Santa Clause, and this happened even after I stopped believing. So really probably close to 20-25 things each year. Even as a child I though this was a bit much and always told my mom to scale back.

To each his own but even if I was a billionaire, I would not get my child that many gifts. To me it is just a waste and smacks of buying love. I know that this isn't always true, but that is the way I feel. I guess my family is strange, we all feel that, well except for the little kids, that just being together and totally pigging out is the most fun.

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

I don't even remember how many each kid is getting. I swore to my husband that it would be a small year on presents since the Disney Cruise is our big gift this year (and Lord almighty it's been hard keeping that quiet). Of course, I kept buying stuff here and there....

 

[Tinkermommy]

Just checked my lists.

My daughter is getting a Kindle with cover and gift card from Santa (plus stocking stuffers). Then 6 presents from me and DH and one from her brother. She's getting fewer since she's getting a Kindle and we bought her a netbook. So money wise, she is getting a lot.

My son is getting a football and a big race car from Santa (plus stocking stuffers). Then he has about 11 gifts from me and DH and one from his sister.

They also have 2 gifts each from my in-laws (they give us money and we shop for them).

I have no idea how many gifts from my parents and sister. They go crazy on the kids.

 

[Magic Mom]

DS is getting 3 this year from us and DD is getting 5. We're slacker parents.

 

[lillygator]

I went a little overboard this year......my girls didn't have long lists, but expensive items. l have no idea - didn't count them...but they are getting a couple big ticket items.....!

 

[HannaBelle]

Wow...I feel like a major cheapo. DH and I spend about $200 to $250 per kid depending on what they want that year. I don't count gifts, but I bet it has never been more than 10.

This year they are not getting anything from us, but will get some stocking stuffers from Santa. Several years ago the kids voted to take our entire Christmas budget and adopt a family in need and do Christmas for a family every other year. This is an "adoption" year.

They will get gifts from both sets of grandparents and all of their aunts and uncles. They make out well and truly want to for nothing. They want iphones, but I think that is excessive. We will probably get DS an iphone and pay for his plan for his 18th birthday.

DS is 17 and graduating in May, DD just turned 13 and is in the 7th grade. We buy all of their clothes, personal needs, DS car, insurance, upkeep and he has to by gas. They can earn allowance by doing chores, otherwise I do not give them money. DS does have a job teaching swimming lessons.

 

[momrek06]

HOLY COW, THAT IS ONE BIG SMILEY!!!!

 

[Magic Mom]

That's how big a slacker I am.

 

[momrek06]

That's how big a slacker I am.

You are not a slacker.

 

[Magic Mom]

You are not a slacker.

Are you sure...three presents is....77 less than 80.

 

[wdwiala]

Wow...I feel like a major cheapo. DH and I spend about $200 to $250 per kid depending on what they want that year. I don't count gifts, but I bet it has never been more than 10.

This year they are not getting anything from us, but will get some stocking stuffers from Santa. Several years ago the kids voted to take our entire Christmas budget and adopt a family in need and do Christmas for a family every other year. This is an "adoption" year.

They will get gifts from both sets of grandparents and all of their aunts and uncles. They make out well and truly want to for nothing. They want iphones, but I think that is excessive. We will probably get DS an iphone and pay for his plan for his 18th birthday.

DS is 17 and graduating in May, DD just turned 13 and is in the 7th grade. We buy all of their clothes, personal needs, DS car, insurance, upkeep and he has to by gas. They can earn allowance by doing chores, otherwise I do not give them money. DS does have a job teaching swimming lessons.

 

[Ember]

This year they are not getting anything from us, but will get some stocking stuffers from Santa. Several years ago the kids voted to take our entire Christmas budget and adopt a family in need and do Christmas for a family every other year. This is an "adoption" year.

This is beautiful to read, I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas! I must admit, I've been finding the commercial aspect of the holidays particularly blatant this year and this just warms my heart.

 

[AmazingGrace]

We spent last Christmas at Disney last year. We share a boat with the most entitled brat ever. He was at Disney. It was Christmas and all he could talk about was all the crap he was expecting to get once he got home. I can't even begin to tell you how ugly this child sounded. No appreciation, all expectation. My kids and I discussed what we had heard from this kid and we decided that we needed to make some changes. Aside from one meaningful gift per child and the kids shopping for each other, no other gifts under the tree. Instead, we've used that money to go DO things. Christmas festivals, a concert. Day trips out of town. Outreach with our church. The kids actually love it. on Christmas eve, were all helping out with childcare at our church, then going to the service. Christmas day, we'll just have a nice meal and enjoy being together as a family. Presents won't play a big role this year.

 

[ReneeA]

I buy quite a bit for Christmas...my kids are getting about 15 gifts, plus stocking stuffers. However, even though they are getting more gifts, I didn't buy a big ticket item for either of them this year, because they didn't ask for anything expensive. Many of their gifts are in the $10-20 range.

I guess I treat gift-giving much like my parents did while I was growing up. I didn't get toys/gifts throughout the year. My mom NEVER bought anything at the grocery store or while out shopping. We weren't the kids throwing fits or begging at stores because we didn't know that getting something was even an option. Even birthdays were quiet and restrained. I have raised my kids similarly...no "stuff" EVER while out. I don't buy for them (other than books) throughout the year, and I don't go overboard on birthdays.

They do get lots for Christmas.

 

[aaarcher86]

My kids are getting an enormous amount of toys... and it kind of made me sick realizing how much I had purchased!

There's a mountain of bags in my closet that need wrapping, and that isn't including the grandparents or rest of the family.

I'm fairly confident I have one of everything from the Toys R Us shelves.

 

[Wendy31]

Our kids each have 8 presents under the tree... but that includes the fleece-tied blankets DH & I made for them last night... so, really 7. However, that does not include the PJ's & ornaments they will open on Christmas Eve, so, actually, 10 presents to unwrap.

From Santa, if I remember correctly, they are getting 5 gifts plus stocking stuffers.

I went a little overboard this year.

 

[marcyinPA]

One has nine, and one has six. And that would be my dilemma of the day.

My DH is annoyed with me because I want to rush out and buy a couple more things for my youngest. He thinks the money value equals out (which is probably true), and that it doesn't have to be all even steven.

I feel like I am gipping my youngest. His big gift is a cell phone, though...which we couldn't get for free and spent $$ on.

Still not sure what to do. I don't want to go out and buy crap just for the sake of making it even, you know what I mean?

 

[Magic Mom]

One has nine, and one has six. And that would be my dilemma of the day.

My DH is annoyed with me because I want to rush out and buy a couple more things for my youngest. He thinks the money value equals out (which is probably true), and that it doesn't have to be all even steven.

I feel like I am gipping my youngest. His big gift is a cell phone, though...which we couldn't get for free and spent $$ on.

Still not sure what to do. I don't want to go out and buy crap just for the sake of making it even, you know what I mean?

Listen to your DH. Your kids are smart enough to understand. It doesn't have to be exactly even.