This year is Piglet first Christmas. At 10 months old he is going to be a fab age, as he will be old enough to actually enjoy some new toys and play with his cousins during the day. He will enjoy the family time, a lovely roast dinner and maybe even a little bit of a tasty dessert. He will likely tear up some wrapping paper that is discarded from our presents, pull his socks off and try and strangle himself with his toy phone (he is obsessed the the cord).
What he won’t do, is open many presents from his mum and dad. And here’s why.
1. He Doesn’t Know What Presents Are
He is going to be 10 months old. He doesn’t know what presents are, how many he has or who gave them to him. It really is as simple as that. We of course enjoy giving him things, but he only needs one or two small gifts from us.
There will be many opportunities in the future for us to spoil him rotten, but I would rather wait until he is older and can appreciate what is going on.
2. Gift Overload
I have three siblings, JHogg has one. Piglet is a lucky guy with more aunts and uncles than he knows what to do with. He has grandparents and great grandparents all wanting to buy him a Christmas present. That is a large amount of gifts for one little guy!
On top of that, his birthday is in February. So we will do it all over again then. Our house isn’t tiny – but it’s not massive and I don’t want it rammed full of baby gubbins!
3. Expense
We all know Christmas is expensive. There is no denying it, and you always end up spending more than you planned. As with the points above, I would rather save the pennies for when he can appreciate it.
We are doing some fairly major structural work on the house. This is all to make the perfect family environment for Piglet to grow up in. At this stage I’d rather put all our money into making his home than on toys. That way he will have a comfortable home to live in (and a happy Mama that has her dream kitchen!)
4. He Has Everything
In the spirit of not going with a ridiculous amount of toys, we could buy something that he needs. The issue with babies is that generally if the “need” something, they need it now not in 3 or 4 weeks time. Piglet is regularly bought bits and pieces which fulfill whatever need he has!
5. I’d Just Have To Open Them
Babies don’t understand opening presents. In fact, many toddlers don’t understand it either. They open one present and want to play with it, thoughts of getting anything else discarded in favour of the new toy. And so you’re left opening the presents you spent hours wrapping.
Piglet can only play with one toy at a time. A little present from Mum and Dad will do him just fine, and then if we want to buy him something in the sales we can do that. He can then play with that later. And it saves me wrapping!
What do you think? Are you buying your little one lots of presents this Christmas? If so, are you wrapping them or just popping them under the tree open and ready to use? I’d love to hear what you think!
This post originally appeared on www.meetothermums.com
This post is linked up to The List
I agree my baby girl is 10 months as well and her birthday is in February also! We have only got her a few gifts and I know she will love the wrapping paper more! Xx
Yup wrapping paper and probably a box from one of her cousins bigger gifts will keep him entertained!
yep im with u on this. Kai will get a few bits to open but thats only so he cant say in ten years why did max get presents on his first xmas and i didnt lol
We are only getting a few bits to stop his older cousins questioning why he doesn’t have anything!
Both of my children were born in November so were only weeks old for their first Christmas. We bought things for them that were suitable for 6+ months as we knew they had plenty to get through until that age.
we have Piglets birthday in February, so we did think about getting things for 12m+ but figured he’s get that on his birthday anyway. He’ll be happy with a bit of wrapping paper haha
I completely agree. Both of my kids were 6 months at Christmas and they had no idea what was going on. Like you said, it is much better to do it when they can appreciate it more x
#KCACOLS
Yup – we’d much rather save our pennies for days out as a family
Just the one little thing for them to rip the paper off is fine. Then they just want the box or paper anyway…#KCACOLS
Oh yes – I know he’s going to love the paper!
I have 2 girls, Elena who will soon turn 3 and Sofia 11 months old soon. We have been buying less things for Sofia as we have sooo many clothes and toys that we have already bought for Elena before. So actually, when we were doing our gifts list for Christmas, it struck me that there was loads for Elena but only 1 gift for Sofia. Of course, she does not understand yet but I guess I feel much better if I know that she is also getting some new toys for Christmas 🙂 So I have bought some more gifts for her 🙂 #KCACOLS
Could you take some of Elena’s old toys and wrap them up for Sofia? She would no doubt be just as happy!
I agree with you, at this age, I don’t want them to be overload with prezzies and silly toys they will play once with. This year, Baba will have some clothes and some money to open his first bank account. #KCACOLS
My parents are just giving Piglet some money for his bank too – it will be much more useful for him later in life 🙂
Argh this is so true on so many levels! I must admit, at 18months old this Christmas, I have bought a few toys for him to go in his sack, stocking fillers such as toot toot cars. But probably 80% of his gifts, including his wish list that was sent to friends and family were clothes, or accessories such as a new rucksack and wellies for nursery! I was really frustrated when some family members came back and asked why there were no toys on the list, and could they not get him a toy instead! He has sooo many toys, we just don’t have the space anymore! Yet that didn’t stop people last year from going overboard buying him toys as they didn’t agree with my wish list for him 🙁 #KCACOLS
Yup anything we’ve thought he would like or need we’ve suggested to family, so we’ve bought very little! Thankfully our family are all happy to get him clothes
The twins are 2.5 and they still only get a few gifts…cause they seriously don’t have a clue as to what is happening here. 5 gifts…50 gifts… makes no difference to them!
We have eased up on the baby gifts more and more with every kid that we have had.
You are so spot on!
#KCACOLS
I think most people go wild for their first baby’s first christmas. We’ve got 7 nieces and nephews so have learnt from our sisters mistakes!
I totally agree with you! We also try not to give our son too many presents. He really does have everything he needs. Happy holidays to you! #KCACOLS
Agree! Poppy at 1 has a few bits to open but she’s just had her birthday. We have most toys from the other two ? She will just want the paper anyway – enjoy Christmas! #KCACOLS
Paper is definitely the best bit at that age – or a bit box!
So very true! The only reason we buy anything for out tiniest one is because my other kids are very concerned about him being left out. So sweet! So we get him a couple of small things to open to keep him buys and make the other kids happy! #KCACOLS
I think it matters more when you’ve got older kids wondering why the baby has nothing. We haven’t got that issue yet!
Couldnt agree more. My son is 11 months and all I have got him is a cheap pop up tunnel so keep him occupied that morning before we visit family! #KCACOLS
A pop up tunnel is fab at that age – I got one for my nephew last year
This is our baby’s second Christmas and we’ve not bought her anything. She will get lots of presents and is too young to understand. This is the last year we can get away with it. Next year we’ll need to be buying presents for Christmas. Claire x #KCACOLS
Enjoy it while it lasts! Piglet has a small stocking of practical gifts and then one present from us for under the tree – and it is a cheap one 🙂
This is all absolutely true, I totally agree. Once I had three kids though I ended up buying the babies more because the older ones wanted them to have presents and liked opening them for them! And playing with them too actually! #KCACOLS
Plus with older kids around you have to make sure they get something from santa otherwise questions might be asked!
I’m with you on this one. I reckon you’ve got only two years before other baby peer pressure is too strong to resist. If he was a sibling, it might be easier for older one to understand why they all get one. Happy Chrimbo! #KCACOLS
Yep it will be harder if/when there’s 2 – but we’re ok for now!
My youngest was born on Christmas morning so we only got one present that year. Some new cot bedding just for her. Everyone else made up for it in the next few days though.
Oh wow bet that was the best christmas present for you though!
Its all about the boxes and the paper when they’re little isnt it? 🙂 @kcacols
I am in total agreement! My daughter was 11 months last Christma and we bought her a walker and a jigsaw puzzles. The walker was something we were going to get her anyway (for obvious reasons) so we just held off giving it to her so it added a bit of fun to the day. This year, even though she’s almost 2, we’ve got her a wooden train set and 2 books. She doesn’t need loads more toys and like Piglet, she’s getting spoilt by relatives anyway. It’s easy to go overboard with toys I think. #KCACOLS
I agree! I don’t think there is anything wrong with wrapping up some things they might need (socks etc) but thats about it. Not much point and like you say, they don’t know what is going on #kcacols
Piglets stocking is filled with a toothbrush, new snack pot etc. That way we feel like we’ve done something but only bought things he needs!
Our Christmas’s are intimate and friendly with immediate family buying for one another. #KCACOLS
That sounds lovely. Ours are always a bit manic!
This is such a good post. My son was 6 months old on his first birthday and our huge family spoilt him rotten. He didn’t have a clue. Last year he was 1.5yo and understood a little more so we got excited and forgot about the extra family members, he had a sofa full of presents – crazy. This year I’ve tried to control myself so that he doesn’t get a rediculous amount. #KCACOLS
I completely agree with you that they don’t get what Christmas is or what the present is or how to unwrap it. Ben loves the paper more than the toy but I couldn’t resist spending more than I would normally dream of!
I have been sensible and got books and clothes and not just toys so there are practical bits in there!!
#KCACOLS
We’ve spent hardly anything this year – next year I’m sure it’ll be different!
Totally agree, we did the same with our kids first Christmases. Certainly making up for it now though! Have a great Christmas x
#KCACOLS
Sounds fair enough to me! You’ll only end up with a house full of things you don’t need and the money would be much better spent when there’s something he really does need x #KCAOLS
So many things I would rather we spent the money on for him. Plenty time for presents in the future!
I absolutely agree. My youngest will be 1 in January and won’t be getting any presents except from the rest of the family. (they can’t resist!) x
The family are all buying for Piglet too – they love to treat them!
This is really great. I always felt obligated to buy presents for my babies, but you are right that they wouldn’t know thee difference – plus they got stuff from grandma and aunties and uncles! Going to share this to save someone else the trouble maybe! #kcacols
My son is 10 months too and has his birthday in February, we aren’t buying him lots of presents, just a couple of little stocking fillers (flashing balls and sensory toys) as we generally buy what he needs when he needs it! We need to get him a new car seat soon so we will spend the money on that instead! #KCACOLS
We couldn’t resist getting the stocking fillers, but have only bought the one other present. We will be getting a new car seat at some point next year too so like you we’d rather save for that!
Interesting post. 🙂
We don’t have that rule here as we are so few together at xmas. It’s only us and the in-laws or if we’re in Norway it would be us and my parents + brothers. So still quite few.
I tend to put usable things on the list for a baby – something wearable really. I love home made stuff like knitted outfits or socks, hats, mittens and such so that would have been a lovely gift. 🙂
#KCACOLS
Homemade things definitely make the best gifts!
I did very little pre age 3 and even after that many stocking presents came from charity shops. Now as teens I spend more than ever as they have such specific ideas on what they want and it is never cheap! #KCACOLS.
Teens must be the hardest!
Thank you! Finally someone who thinks the same! Lilly will be 9 months at Christmas and we aren’t buying her anything either. So many people have said I’m mean! Seriously! She won’t know any different! She does t need anything and I won’t buy things just for the sake of it! Merry Christmas to you and your family xx #KCACOLS
Absolutely! Plus – I don’t think it’s anyone elses business what you do or do not buy for your own children. Merry Christmas to you too
I agree with this so much. It’s buying for the sake of it when they are so little but my other half was adamant he wanted to spoil her so I was out voted! #KCACOLS
Luckily we’re on the same page about this, although I’ve done all the Christmas shopping anyway so I was always in control haha
Sounds like you’ve got a really healthy attitude to gift giving! Our girls have birthdays at the end of October and I’m usually the one trying to be sensible and not go ott at Christmas! I’m seen as the ‘fun sponge’ bc I’m too sensible #kcacols
Fab post, and so true. I think presents for a baby are for other peoples benefit and definitely not the babies. We had to buy for ours as babies as with older siblings they would have questioned why their little brother/sister did not have anything from Father Christmas, but we went down the practical route with clothes and just a few (cheap!) toys. #KCACOLS
Yep so different when you’ve got an older one asking questions! So I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts
Totally agree! Especially with your first! We did the same when our first was born but with the 2nd and 3rd it was more difficult as we were worried that the older ones would want to know why the baby didn’t get much. We still kept it to a minimum but it was more tricky!! #KCACOLS
We’ll enjoy it while we can! Plenty Christmas’ full of present are in our future I’m sure
couldn’t agree more! we didn’t go mad at all when b had his first Christmas. everyone else does! Even now at age 3 I haven’t spent a lot. I got a lot of stuff from the Carboot! paw patrol walkie talkies, a quid. absolute bargain and work fine. he just doesn’t know and as long as he has stuff to unwrap then its fine. it will get expensive as they get older! #KCACOLS
We love a carboot purchase! Piglet has a few bits from carboot in his stocking
Totally agree. My third child turned one in October – we had a party for him and he got a ton of presents. I racked my brains but can’t think of anything to buy him for Xmas, plus his older siblings have everything he could possibly need. The grandparents don’t like this though – I think they think I’m a bit stingy…. #KCACOLS
Piglet’s grandparents are buying him presents – they’re welcome to 🙂
I agree with that ! we didn’t buy anything for our son but he will get something after Christmas:P
#KCACOLS
Yep – I’m with you sister – they just want to play with the wrapping paper and boxes at this age anyway!!! Great to save money and clutter instead of buying for the sake of it. #kcacols
Oh the clutter…. I’m not looking forward to that!
I completely agree with you on this. My son was about 8 months old on his first Christmas, and we did him a little stocking for Christmas morning and I think that was about it. And we both knew that was for me way more than it was for him! x #KCACOLS
Oh I totally agree, they are far to young to have any idea about presents at that age. It didnt stop me buying loads at the time, I guess its only now that I can see the light:)
Mainy
#KCACOLS
Yep, this is so very true. Cygnet’s first Christmas was overwhelming, mainly for me, there were just so many presents to open and none of them for me. That’s life as a parent I guess. Loads of love Pen x
I totally agree with all of the reasons here. My baby was only 2 1/2 months old for his first Christmas, so we just bought new clothes in the 3-6m size he was growing in to anyway. Made sense really! #KCACOLS
If family have asked what to buy him we’ve said 12-18m clothes 🙂
Totally agree! Our son gets gifts all year round anyway from family and friends, so Christmas isn’t a huge deal for him yet.
I’m sure as they get older it will become more about the presents!
I agree, they don’t appreciate volume or value. A few choice presents and some empty boxes is all they need! Even when their older it’s the size of the ptessie not necessarily what’s in it! #KCACOLS
Oh god, I know what you mean. They have no idea what so ever! We’ve done our best to not buy anything – he’s got some stacking cups, a couple little books and a toy phone. We’ve been stringing out the few toys he has now for months which seems a little backward as there’s been new ones sat upstairs for a while!! Good luck with the house renovations!! #kcacols
Back again from #KCACOLS – all so true! #KCACOLS
Baby K is two and half this Christmas and it’s the first year he has fully understood about gifts and Santa. We didn’t go too crazy though as he got so many gifts fron everyone else #KCACOLS
Everyone else spoilt Piglet too – so glad I didn’t spend much!
I totally agree! My baby boy is 10 months also, and I just got him a few toys. My main concern was that my older girl (6) would be sad that he didn’t get much but I explained to her a week before Christmas that he gets a lot of what he needs right away as you said yourself, so it works out. She was fine and helped him open his couple he had and we all had a lovely time. 🙂 #KCACOLS
This is so true. Mine were 7 and 10 months on their first Christmas and didn’t have a clue what was going on! They love it now of course and get very excited! I hope you and your family had a lovely Christmas and New Year? #KCACOLS
I’m sure they’re in their element with it all now! We had a lovely Christmas and New Year thank you
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