zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
Posts: 47,912
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Post by zibazinski on Dec 11, 2015 16:39:46 GMT -5
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cronewitch
Junior Associate
I identify as a post-menopausal childless cat lady and I vote.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 21:44:20 GMT -5
Posts: 5,979
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Post by cronewitch on Dec 11, 2015 17:25:09 GMT -5
My great nephew's grandmother got him 13 gifts one year. He has parents and other grandparents and step grand parents, great grand parents and aunts and uncles and great aunts and great uncles. His mom yelled at his grandma to knock it off his room and play room were full. I saw another great nephew get more than a full room full of gifts for his first birthday when they lived in a single room in his grandparent's condo. That is when I gave up buying gifts for children, they don't want or need them and don't have room for them. Next great nephew got a check for his first birthday instead of a huge bag of MegaBlocks, he was turning 1 he didn't care about gifts and the same boy who had a grandma give him 13 gifts. I saved my money now helping him with college instead when grandma with so many gifts isn't helping him, she is broke. His uncle used to play a game buying the boy the cheapest gift he could find and having the boy love it more than the expensive gift his parents got him. One year a $3 plastic truck he played with all day instead of the new game system his parents got him, uncle was mom's brother and just teasing the mom. Once he gave him a live caterpillar in a little plastic box, boy was thrilled, said he always wanted a pet, his parents had two cats since before he was born but he didn't have a pet. Gift cost nothing, uncle beat mom and boy was happy.
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zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
Posts: 47,912
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Post by zibazinski on Dec 12, 2015 8:04:29 GMT -5
I remember when DS was four he got so many gifts and his favorite was the last minute plastic Cowboys and Indians pieces. Maybe $2.99!!
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wvugurl26
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 15:25:30 GMT -5
Posts: 21,890
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Post by wvugurl26 on Dec 12, 2015 11:31:14 GMT -5
I've bought a lot of stuff for my niece before. I had a massive pile one year. Most years actually and she's 7. A lot of it tends to be clothes and things she's needed. This is the first year my brother's had a decent job. And damnit she's my only niece so I was going to buy her some fun stuff to go with the clothes.
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whoisjohngalt
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:12:07 GMT -5
Posts: 9,140
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Dec 12, 2015 15:01:37 GMT -5
I've noticed with my kids that when they have a lot of presents to open, by 4th-5th present they are just not as excited. It becomes too much. So now, if I know they are getting a lot of stuff, I try to space it out through the day. It worked great for my DS2's 5th bday
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lisamomof4
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 4, 2011 0:13:25 GMT -5
Posts: 150
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Post by lisamomof4 on Dec 13, 2015 5:33:47 GMT -5
couple thoughts on this...as far as 'FB christmas lady' goes i thinks she's nuts but it's her call not mine...the mess alone would make my skin crawl.... on the number of gifts...it honestly depends on what each kid needs and how old they are. i'm buying for 18 people...some it's just one gift others it's a couples gift....after a nightmarish experience as a child i will never have someone at my home for the holidays not receive some kind of gift. i would never ask one of my kids to give up christmas so that other kid could get something...yes they may say yes and say it's ok but i know from personal experience it will always be there. i have had years where i made all or almost all of their gifts but they each received something (clothes, toys, jewelry, ect). i have no problem wrapping clothes or gifting socks (this is actually a tradition ) and most things they will receive are needed and practical. the only one with a large amount of gifts is the baby and that is because she receives things not only from us but also her adult siblings
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973beachbum
Senior Associate
Politics Admin
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 16:12:13 GMT -5
Posts: 10,501
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Post by 973beachbum on Dec 13, 2015 11:35:54 GMT -5
I've noticed with my kids that when they have a lot of presents to open, by 4th-5th present they are just not as excited. It becomes too much. So now, if I know they are getting a lot of stuff, I try to space it out through the day. It worked great for my DS2's 5th bday We do do Christmas present opening in stages. First thing in the morning is coffee. The kids at this point wake us up by talking loudly in the kitchen trying to figure out where the stuff is to make it so they can get us up. Then we sit down and we open our stockings. When that is done it is breakfast time. I actually know what is basically ever gift under the tree so I can give them the gifts in the order I want them to open them. This helps one because I am an control freak. And two it keeps them from opening a play station game before the actual play station. It also allows me to hold one present or two that is really the fun thing for them until the end. Even when we were the poorest they didn't get just socks so they know there will be something good under there. And although they get things like t shirts I do a good job of making them ones they will love. My son this year is getting a tshirt with the periodic table of minecraft elements on it. My DD now though is thrilled about the clothes!
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