How many christmas gifts do your children have?

Maggie - posted on 12/28/2009

WOW. that's a lot of toys! We got our two boys an art easel to share and some toy tools to share and some play dough to share.

I was reading something in the paper yesterday and found it quite fitting with how some people view Christmas...
"We celebrate the birth of a man who shunned materialism and greed with an obscene display of materialism and greed."

We usually do one present for each boy and then let them pick out presents to give to Toys For Tots. My kids, like most kids I know, have a ton of toys. More than they play with, more than they need. We feel Christmas should be a time of giving to those who don't have instead of indulging our kids' every whim. There's no need to pile toys on them - in 20 years they won't remember the toys but they will have memories of the time we spent together decorating the tree, making pancakes Christmas morning, singing carols, and all the other fun things we will do on Christmas as they grow up.

Soni - posted on 12/27/2009

I would personally prefer to give my girls just one or 2 presents that they'd appreciate more than having a gazillion presents and a big mess around the house. But unfortunately, their grandparents end up giving them the gazillion presents, and Daddy and Mommy end up giving them only one or 2. From Santa they only get one. I think in the end it really depends on how you were raised. Hope this helps.

Darcel - posted on 12/26/2009

My kid didn't get any presents for christmas. Then again neither did I. (we don't change gifts in my family) He is only 1 year old so I doubt he really cares. You did fine.

Janet - posted on 12/26/2009

There have been many years where we got our kids an out fit and something to put in the stocking ,usualy a Walt Disaney movie.They had something new to wear and we got to watch tv as a family ,what could be more fun than that!!!

Kelly - posted on 12/26/2009

i agree the true meaning should not be forgotten , however i do my best to get what's on the list due to it being once a year. Every family is different, my daughter always sings at the Christmas eve service and we open one gift that night, we do the rest when they get up, then comes the rest of the family for dinner and more opening. We had 17 people here yesterday 4 generations, it was awesome!!

Denise - posted on 12/24/2009

Quoting Kristy:

Quoting Denise:

I think it depends, do you buy them things throughout the year? I personally intend to carry on as my mother did with me not buy silly little things throughout the year but depending on behaviour i would get most of the things on my list. We go to midnight mass and understand what christmas is really all about but children are only little once and i personally believe that if they are good all year they deserve a lovely christmas with nice gifts as its only once a year. Memories can be made all throughtout the year, i think christmas is an extra special memory. But every family is different and you need to do what you feel is deserved and what is best for your family.

Let their birthday be the extra special memoriable day!!

I agree!!
We celebrate christmas and birthday's the same way,For adults there is no better gift for a woman than to make a life !!  But for children i think they should enjoy the magic of it whilst they can. Merry Christmas

Kristy - posted on 12/24/2009

Quoting Denise:

I think it depends, do you buy them things throughout the year? I personally intend to carry on as my mother did with me not buy silly little things throughout the year but depending on behaviour i would get most of the things on my list. We go to midnight mass and understand what christmas is really all about but children are only little once and i personally believe that if they are good all year they deserve a lovely christmas with nice gifts as its only once a year. Memories can be made all throughtout the year, i think christmas is an extra special memory. But every family is different and you need to do what you feel is deserved and what is best for your family.

Let their birthday be the extra special memoriable day!!

Kristy - posted on 12/24/2009

I buy for my children all year long and they really don't have needs at Christmas time. I did get my daughter a tv for her room with the vtech learning game and a bike. I think that this was enough. I also go a head doll because she loves combing hair. Teach you child what Christmas is really about and they will not expect much of anything. Trust me.

Julie - posted on 12/23/2009

Our son is only one year old this Christmas, but my husband and I have talked it over and agreed on only 3 gifts, plus some little stocking stuffers. The 3 gifts are because baby Jesus received 3 gifts from the Wise Men, so that will be a way to help keep the meaning of Christmas central. We really want to keep Christmas simple. Although we know that grandparents will get him more stuff, from us, it will always just be the 3. This year, he is getting coloring books with crayons, some new clothes, and new shoes.

Sharyn - posted on 12/23/2009

I don't hink of it in terms of no of presents. we have a $ figure that we spend per person in our family. I have $100 per kid at the moment (they are 2 and 3).

Teshura - posted on 12/22/2009

I think you did fine. I brought my children 4 gifts each. Have a very Merry Christmas.

Sheryl - posted on 12/22/2009

my kids don't get much from us! but that cause my grandparent give more! we don't want them to think christmas is all about gifts! we are trying to let them know that life is not about abjects! were trying to teach them that there's more to life than that! so i don't that what you did is to much! but that just how i feel!

Good Day! - posted on 12/22/2009

My daughter's big present this year is a fisher price little people doll house that costs about $40. My MIL is getting her a baby doll stroller and my mom is getting her a picnic table. So that pretty much takes care of all her wants!

Heidi - posted on 12/22/2009

What do you consider a big present Sara?

Good Day! - posted on 12/22/2009

Oh, also, if you want to ensure they get everything on their lists, when people call and ask what to get your kids for Christmas give them a suggestion off the list. I do that.

Good Day! - posted on 12/22/2009

You are doing great. I agree that it is important for kids to appreciate what they have instead of always getting everything they want.

Shayna - posted on 12/22/2009

Too little? My kids got one big present from Santa and a smaller one from my and my husband. They also get gifts from everyone else. We are trying to teach them that this is the season for giving and not receiving. If you get your kids everything on their list they will expect it every time. That is why the BIG presents come from Santa. They know that they get one BIG present once a year from Santa and don't expect anything huge the rest of the year.

Heidi - posted on 12/22/2009

I think you did a great job. I only have one child and I did about the same. Maybe a few more then 6 since I got him a lot of books (he is learning to read). But one gift he really wants and this year it was not even a big thing (rockem sockem robots)...My sister is the one that has stressed over gifts this year, she wants them to be even across the board (3 kids). I told her they are not going to compare it is more did you think about each child and get what he or she wants. We do not do Santa....we are trying to teach them it is about Jesus .

Teresa - posted on 12/22/2009

My kids didn't do a list this year. IMO simple is better.



My girls (8 year old twins) are getting:

7 movies to share

a gym suit, dress, and 3 pairs of pants each

various art and 'girly' stuff in their stockings



My son (21 months) is getting:

a bike

a guitar

a book, 2 Matchbox cars, and a little motorcycle in his stocking

Macy - posted on 12/22/2009

Thank you very much ladies, your words are very encouraging. We have been under pressure from our families to have a big extravagant Christmas as we are spending the day with a big family group and i believe they feel our children will be disappointed. My husband and i don't buy many gifts / treats all year long as our girls do not ask for a lot, so i think they will be very pleased with what they have on Christmas morning. They have been very excitedly helping with food and gift boxes for our Church, and definitely know the real meaning of Christmas.

Victoria - posted on 12/22/2009

Our kids don't get anything from Santa either. They get a few small gifts & a couple of bigger one. Then my parents and a couple of friends & family member get them a few things each. Our kids don't write a Christmas list, they tell us one or two things they really like & then we or my parents get them one of them if we can afford it. We put the emphasis on Christ and let them know that we give gifts to represent the gift God gave to us. Our kids don't get lots of stuff throughout the year only for birthdays & Christmas, but 2 of my daughters have December birthdays as does my husband. My kids get an allowance so if they want anything else throughout the year they save up for it themselves.

Heather - posted on 12/22/2009

Well, our kids don't get anything from Santa... Each year depends. This year they each have one present for just them and then a few for them to share. It isn't about the presents, but about Jesus. We get presents because that's what we do on birthdays and he lives inside of us, but the biggest part is being glad that he was born, just like any other birthday, but also explaining why his birth was sooo important.

Denise - posted on 12/22/2009

I think it depends, do you buy them things throughout the year? I personally intend to carry on as my mother did with me not buy silly little things throughout the year but depending on behaviour i would get most of the things on my list. We go to midnight mass and understand what christmas is really all about but children are only little once and i personally believe that if they are good all year they deserve a lovely christmas with nice gifts as its only once a year. Memories can be made all throughtout the year, i think christmas is an extra special memory. But every family is different and you need to do what you feel is deserved and what is best for your family.

Treva - posted on 12/22/2009

I agree with both these ladies. Its not about how many gifts. The true meaning of Christmas is the greatest gift of all and that was God sending us His Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. What could be a better gift than that? Hope this helps. God Bless! Merry Christmas!

Karen - posted on 12/22/2009

I think you did a fine job.

Ann - posted on 12/22/2009

Every family has to choose what is best for them. Do you want Christmas to be about the gifts, time with family, or about faith? Does a child need every gift to be happy? I don't believe so. I think that families just need to create the memories and concentrate on what they want to convey to their children. Just don't make it stressful for you and your family.

Mary - posted on 12/22/2009

Hello? Are you asking if 6 + 1 large one + stockings is enough? (Just making sure I'm reading this correctly....) Gosh, no offense, Macy, but this is MORE than enough! We have 5 children and they each get 1 gift + stockings. We have forgone the way of tons of gifts and do an overnight at a motel where the memories are never forgotten and we feel as if spending TIME with each other is more valuable. We might give them a gift of money to go to a mall near hotel as well. (we have teenagers too) That's it. We like to find a gift for another family in our area who needs one (like an "Angel Tree" idea) and they begin to understand giving, not getting. We also make lots of cookies to give away to all our neighbors - many single people! So, my answer is PLEASE don't go out and buy anymore, Macy. Children learn nothing by getting everything they want! Amen?