Night Elf Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 Ever since the kids stopped getting toys galore, I worry our Christmas will be skimpy. I'm looking under the tree and there are so few gifts. We already had Christmas with dd21 and her boyfriend because she's going out of state with her dad. So now I only have 8 gifts under the tree, 4 each for dd15 and ds17. I want to go buy more, but I have no idea what else to get! I got both of them some clothes, so that's out. I guess I don't really need anything else. It's definitely a want feeling and not a need feeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Above The Rowan Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 How about books or a few 3d puzzles? Those can fill up some space under the tree. Or just not buy more! I am sure they will be happy with their presents. If you don't need more then don't buy more :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandylubug Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I do this every year feeling like the pile is shrinking each day it gets closer to Christmas. I've said no to buying more, though. It is an inner struggle. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewingmama Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 Ummm yeah. I already succumbed and now my kids have a lot more stuff then I planned. I was so good limiting the gifts this year and then last minute panic set in when I piled up the gifts to make sure they were even and it looked so small LOL. I guess I'll try again next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRG Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 Ok stop spending! :) You have bought for them. They are not going without anything. Enjoy being done. Wrapping takes less time w/fewer gifts. Enjoy the holidays and each other's company. Did that help? :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 or get them gift cards and let them get what they want...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted December 23, 2013 Author Share Posted December 23, 2013 I like the idea of a couple of family gifts, specifically jigsaw puzzles. We're cycling through the same ones repeatedly. I'll see what I can find at Walmart today. The toy store is too far away. I wonder if they would have a better selection. I don't think I'm brave enough to hit the mall two days before Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TGHEALTHYMOM Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 Traffic has been horrid in the closest "town" although I do remember it being ":surreal" the year my dad passed. I did not feel like shopping at all. Finally, I panicked on Christmas Eve and went to get a few things.. all I remember is that pajamas were on Sale. It started snowing and took a long time to get home. This year I have not spent any on gifts except for our "Dirty Santa" at my mom's, and a few other for Boy Scouts and DH work party. We have been blessed by some secret "Santa" with clothes for our kids and we let them open them early so they could wear them to Church. I also got a box of free workbooks and readers from a generous person on here! Jigsaws sound great! We have had so many children's puzzles and our boys have been rough on them. Do those roll up mats really work?. I don't want to get started on one and it get destroyed. That has always stopped me. We usually go for a new Board game or card game. My SIL bought us Settler's of Catan this year already. They do make Settlers of Canaan and I want to get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 We wrap up a favorite food item, but one we do not buy like pop tarts. The kids like their special food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I can't stop either! I'm trying to make things even and it's like a bad haircut where the stylist cuts it too short trying to keep the sides even. Except instead of cutting, I keep adding! I add a little to even out this kid, and then see some other kid is a bit short, try to compensate and go a little on the other side. Ugh! I need to stop. One child wants something really junky and inexpensive and I'm trying to tell myself it doesn't matter if I spent less on her- she got what she wanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymonster Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I have younger kids, but the thing that has stopped me from shopping too much this year is the fact that I cleaned our toy room/school room for **10** hours on Saturday. There is no way I want more stuff than absolutely necessary going back into that room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trlt Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I can't help you. I just decided dd needed one more present that she's really wanted for a while. Poor DH has been to three stores today looking for it. He's headed to the 4th now. Luckily he is just as crazy as I am and doesn't find it at all insane! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIch elle Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 My ds' (19 & 16) will have NOTHING for Christmas! No presents for under the tree!! Does that make you feel better? :gnorsi: They don't want anything, and I REFUSE to buy just to have something under the tree. They have all that they want or need. :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I am thinking about how I should buy more stuff as well. One of my kids has just two gifts. She can't come up with anything she wants. I am going to spend. I can't help it, and therefore I cannot help you. lol But what to buy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 Yeah, I'm no help either. I loaded up.... again.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 My kids have one present this year. Grandma already came. None for dh and I. I didn't even put up the tree. And it will be fine. Don't go shopping....they will be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CupOCoffee Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 Haha, my kids were supposed to be getting zero presents under the tree, because we have been on an Amazon spending spree as a family. So many things came up at "once in a lifetime deals" that our family will all enjoy together. But I am weak, and I have things for them; not a ton, but enough so that there are things to open. Mostly books actually. But of course after I had scoured the used bookstore for great picks for them, the Kindle went on sale $20 off --- so yep, they're getting a Kindle too. I am off from work this week, which is a good thing in more ways than one: I won't be spending my lunch hour spending MORE money, lol. ~~coffee~~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plain jane Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 Traffic has been horrid in the closest "town" although I do remember it being ":surreal" the year my dad passed. I did not feel like shopping at all. Finally, I panicked on Christmas Eve and went to get a few things.. all I remember is that pajamas were on Sale. It started snowing and took a long time to get home. This year I have not spent any on gifts except for our "Dirty Santa" at my mom's, and a few other for Boy Scouts and DH work party. We have been blessed by some secret "Santa" with clothes for our kids and we let them open them early so they could wear them to Church. I also got a box of free workbooks and readers from a generous person on here! Jigsaws sound great! We have had so many children's puzzles and our boys have been rough on them. Do those roll up mats really work?. I don't want to get started on one and it get destroyed. That has always stopped me. We usually go for a new Board game or card game. My SIL bought us Settler's of Catan this year already. They do make Settlers of Canaan and I want to get it. We have (and frequently use) those roll up mats. Yes, they really do work well. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plain jane Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 Just don't do it. ;) Ok, I normally get caught up in this myself, which is why I no longer do all my Christmas shopping too early - or I will just buy too much in the days leading up to Christmas and get disgusted with myself for spending so much and having a ridiculous amount of gifts. This year I forced myself to only have a few gifts per child (and all said that there was nothing they really wanted). I figure if I miss anything, there's always the after Christmas sales. ;). It's kind of fun to watch the kids pick out what they want, even if it wasn't wrapped under the tree. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 We have a ton of gifts under the tree but each kid only has 2-3 major gifts and then 3-4 books each and 2 games each. They also picked out presents for each other from Goodwill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73349 Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 Maybe you need bigger boxes. Do you have any large mailing/moving boxes stashed away? Put the gifts in those and wrap them and they will take up space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 I know the feeling all too well. I hit the "buy" button late last night with express shipping. Pretty sure I didn't need to do that. However, I notice I'm the first to respond to your thread that is over an hour old. That might mean that everyone else has succumbed to temptation and have gone out to shop. Or, they're iced in ... I'm right there with you! :D I have seven more packages coming tomorrow thanks to Amazon one-day delivery! I won't stop shopping until the last store closes on Christmas Eve. I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!! :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: My ds' (19 & 16) will have NOTHING for Christmas! No presents for under the tree!! Does that make you feel better? They don't want anything, and I REFUSE to buy just to have something under the tree. They have all that they want or need. I would feel absolutely horrible if I didn't buy any gifts for my ds, and he would be devastated if he got up on Christmas morning and there were no presents under the tree. Christmas gifts -- and lots of them -- are a big tradition in our family, and no one really gets things they "need;" it's all about the fun stuff! Of course, you said your kids don't want anything, whereas my ds wants lots of stuff! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 Maybe get their favorite cereal, poptarts, cookies and wrap them?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readinmom Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 Favorite snacks, bake some cookies? The gift pile most definitely became smaller as our kids got older. We have struggled with the number, as well. Barnes and Noble has games and puzzles, if you have one near you. I was in there today and forgot to pick up a board game. Bought the kids their "something to read"; the line wasn't that bad, either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TGHEALTHYMOM Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 I got a great deal tonight at a Super Walmart on puzzles. 10 in one box... I am so excited! I think we will have some fun working them and I bought the glue to cement them with too. We had fun with all 8 of our children letting them spend some gift card money and they bought some things I knew Santa could not afford at great prices. Three boys went together to get a video game and I got the insurance on it. It is a little strange that I have not wrapped any presents at all this year.... I will wrap a few tomorrow night. We are struggling so much under medical bills and I have been so worried we would have no presents at all. Christmas is a magical time of year for Spiritual and Joyful reasons. I want our dc to know the joy of giving and receiving! I thank God for providing some great books, gift cards, and money to help us buy for others and take our dc shopping too! I am saving some for needs after Christmas though. And I know we are getting great food and playing "Dirty Santa" again at my widowed mother's house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted December 24, 2013 Author Share Posted December 24, 2013 I thank God for providing some great books, gift cards, and money to help us buy for others and take our dc shopping too! I am saving some for needs after Christmas though. And I know we are getting great food and playing "Dirty Santa" again at my widowed mother's house. What is Dirty Santa? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted December 24, 2013 Author Share Posted December 24, 2013 I'm headed to the grocery store today. I'll buy some of their favorite treats, like Pepperidge Farms cookies and wrap those. I wonder how hard it would be to wrap a bag of chips? :tongue_smilie: In fact, it's 10:00am. I should probably go right now. Argh, please let it be not so crowded as I expect it to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 If you must buy a gift, I second the idea of a family game. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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