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Grandparenting

How much is enough -Xmas presents for a GC?

(154 Posts)
LuckyDucky Sat 07-Nov-15 05:21:11

Are 32 presents to an only child (from the parents) too much?
The presents varied in price and size. . . .

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 07-Nov-15 05:51:45

Might be a bit overwhelming, having that many to open. Keep some back for Boxing Day?

thatbags Sat 07-Nov-15 06:49:32

If the child is very young, they don't all need to be opened on the same day.

32 is only a number but yes, it does seem a lot.

WHAT!? just realised... they've got 32 already!?!?! Bloddy hell!

(I could correct bloddy but I'm not going to)

ffinnochio Sat 07-Nov-15 06:55:05

I find 32 too many, but then I take the view in life that less is more wink

Grannyknot Sat 07-Nov-15 07:16:49

32 and that's only from the parents?! Presuming the child will also receive gifts from other people that's OTT.

My only grandson had his 1st birthday earlier this year, and he got so many presents from so many people, that his mother put most of them away and has told us all we're off the hook for Christmas.

So I'm going to put money in his savings account instead.

Leticia Sat 07-Nov-15 07:33:08

I think it spoils Christmas. Much more sensible to have a few that they can really enjoy- give your time to play with them and put the rest of the money into a savings account.

cornergran Sat 07-Nov-15 07:55:15

Families vary in approach. Would be too much for me but if it's fine with the parents who am I to argue? Wouldn't join in though.

loopylou Sat 07-Nov-15 08:05:50

To me that's ridiculous, but it's up to them.
I'm always saddened when I hear of parents getting into debt because of (to me) excessive spending at Christmas. I know of one who openly bragged of spending £2500 on his 4 year old daughter......and he doesn't work and is on benefits.

For some it almost seems like a competition.

soontobe Sat 07-Nov-15 08:33:44

Too many in my opinion.
And I assume that they will get more from elsewhere too.

ll mentions a competition. Is that what it is?
Or perhaps they are trying to make up for something?

Bellanonna Sat 07-Nov-15 08:47:59

Soon, I think your last sentence is probably right. But however can one spend £2500 from benefits on one child? Almost obscene to me. Im having a problem thinking about my own GC because they have so much. I think it will be something small, to include a book, and something in their savings book. I know the 3 year old cousins have one.

JamJar1 Sat 07-Nov-15 08:53:01

If the child is young it might be quite overwhelming Christmas day. 32 seems a large number at any age but then I'm constantly surprised at how many children, not my GC thankfully, seem to have a large number of toys bought for them throughout the year.

annsixty Sat 07-Nov-15 09:12:51

It does seem to turn into a competition for some and then of course the children come to expect it every year. How many toys can children play with? Also do their rooms have elastic sides?

Teetime Sat 07-Nov-15 09:37:39

I remember one Christmas with my smallest Grandson when he sat in front of a huge pile of presents and burst into tears - he was completely overcome so DD2 put half away for his birthday later that year.

As they grow the number of presents gets less but the unit costs rises - lap tops, Playstations etc. This year DD2 said could I buy GS a few smaller fun things as he is having a new I-phone (he is 11 but travels quite a distance independently to school). I'm having fun finding little fun things rather than something large and expensive.

bikergran Sat 07-Nov-15 09:57:25

My mum GSs great gran, has never really bought presents, but each year at Easter, birthdays and Christmas she puts money in a savings account.Elder GS is 9 and his eyes light up when Grt Grandma tells him how much he has got.....smile so far he is going to buy a blue sports car and take to Asda shopping in it (but says he wont drive fast)! phew smile I may have to wait some time as the amount he has will not quite stretch to a sports car smile !

TerriBull Sat 07-Nov-15 10:07:55

Very young children become overwhelmed by a huge number of presents and once the initial thrill of the ripping off the wrapping paper is over and done with, can, become quite uninterested in the content lying on the floor. 32 is an enormous number, like others have stated, I'd be inclined to give them to him over a period of time. The only problem with that though is there will be an expectation from the child that presents are something he can expect on a regular basis.

rosesarered Sat 07-Nov-15 10:57:06

It's a quite ridiculous amount, just from parents!

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 07-Nov-15 11:03:05

I don't think we need to overthink this. They are most likely, just doting parents. Better than the other kind. There will certainly be nothing 'competitive' in it! hmm

Luckygirl Sat 07-Nov-15 11:12:59

Each child and grandchild gets one present. End of.

They do not feel the least hard done by and are always pleased with what they get.

32 is completely bonkers!

vampirequeen Sat 07-Nov-15 11:20:09

We have a cash limit for each child and buy up to that amount rather than count the number of presents.

Indinana Sat 07-Nov-15 11:25:53

It does seem completely absurd, but it does also seem to be the norm with so many families these days. Many children have more toys than they know what to do with and I don't believe this helps them to learn the value of things. Small parts get lost, making the toy useless, but so what? They've got loads of other things to play with so who cares if one is no good anymore? And if something they care about gets broken Mummy and Daddy will just buy a new one.
My children had plenty of toys, but they certainly weren't overrun with them and I do think they had more understanding of their value. They took care of them because they knew there wouldn't be any new ones until the next birthday or Christmas!

harrigran Sat 07-Nov-15 12:21:23

GC get a game, a toy and some clothes from us. The gifts from Father Christmas are, usually, one or two things from their would-like list and lots of smaller items like a lego figure or playing cards.
This year DS asked me if I would like to buy a new Wii and a game between the two GC, went online and in 5 minutes Christmas sorted smile

MiniMouse Sat 07-Nov-15 13:32:28

Depending on GC's present requests, they receive one 'big' present (which other family members may have chipped in with if it's over budget), plus a small bag of bits and pieces that I know they'll enjoy (hairbands/slides, funny pens/pencils, books, silly socks etc) - certainly not 32 items each shock Being an only child does not seem to be a valid reason for so many presents!

stillhere Sat 07-Nov-15 13:38:25

Are some for a stocking? I do hope so!

I think the problem comes later on in life, when obviously the parents can no longer carry on with that sort of expenditure, as the expectations of the child become more sophisticated.

Alea Sat 07-Nov-15 13:48:36

OMG 32!!??!!
We all know the pleasure it gives us to buy things for our little ones, but this doesn't do anybody any favours.

LuckyDucky Sat 07-Nov-15 14:55:58

There wasn't a culture of Christmas stockings in Oz in the 1950s.

I woke to find a pillow case at the end of my bed and a present from F. Christmas at the tree, plus a present from my maternal parents.

No presents were opened till we returned from an 8am church service
then collected my grand parents. Meanwhile, my friends were outside playing with their presents.envy