Comments on: Do You Restrict the Number of Gifts Your Children Receive?

By: One Frugal Girl

One Frugal Girl — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:55:15 +0000

@Andrea - I love the idea of suggesting a limit because he's so small and if we receive too many gifts anyway I adore the idea of holding back a few so we can rotate them. That's a tip that'll work for quite a few years. it's great that your family was open to your idea of limiting gifts and even better that he has such a meaty bank account already!

@the merry - i've definitely witnessed gift overload on more than one occasion. The children receive so much that they can't appreciate it all.

@Robin - I appreciate your comment. If your mil is happy to buy gifts & you are happy to receive them then everyone wins. It's certainly nice of you to dress your child in the clothes he receives so your mil knows he gifts are appreciated. I try to do that whenever we receive gifts from friends and amity as well. It makes them feel special.

By: Robin

Robin — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:22:00 +0000

I never restricted gifts or clothes. It brings great joy to our families to buy things for our son and I wouldn't want to deny them that. My mil buys most of his clothes and shoes and generally shows up with a new outfit every time she sees him. Rarely do I return or exchange them. She LOVES buying clothes for him and who am I to deny her? She also can well afford it and my inlaws are paying for his education so that's not an issue. I make sure he is wearing something she bought every time she sees him and she is happy :)

Don't think you know what he will play with and what he won't. They change so rapidly that a toy that wasnt of interest this month will be the next and a variety is a good thing.

By: The Merry

The Merry — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:49:31 +0000

Extreme example: I knew a woman whose brother-in-law had been a firefighter who lost his life on 9/11. His young children were SWAMPED with gifts that Christmas. They couldn't cope with it all. On a smaller scale, I think many children get overwhelmed with gifts this time of year. And thn they get jaded.

By: Andrea @SoOverDebt

Andrea @SoOverDebt — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 04:48:56 +0000

With close relatives (grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.) I think it's fine to just say, "He's too little to understand gifts anyway. I'd really like to do something to help start saving for his future. What would you think about doing one or two gifts - maybe one toy and one outfit - and if you want to do more, you could contribute to [savings bonds, savings account, etc.]?"

We did that when my son was a baby and he now has over $6000 in savings, plus several thousand dollars in savings bonds. I'm so glad I encouraged everyone to help save for him - I didn't insist on it, but I let people know what my wishes were.

My son still gets a ton of gifts - I usually put most of them up, other than a few favorites, and rotate them when he gets bored. It's like Christmas every month or so!