Jump directly to the content
The magic number

How many presents should you give YOUR kids this Christmas? One mum worries that ten gifts each isn’t enough… and others agree

Parents have been debating about how generous they should be during the festive season

CHRISTMAS is the time of giving - but just how generous should you really be during the festive season?

The debate has been sparked on Mumsnet, with some parents insisting that it's important that kids have lots of gifts to unwrap on the big day.

 How many gifts is too many? Or should you just be focusing on how much money you spend?
5
How many gifts is too many? Or should you just be focusing on how much money you spend?Credit: Getty - Contributor

A concerned mum took to the  for advice, writing: "Previous years I have just bought as I saw fit but having 2 kids this year I want them to have same number things.

"Is 10 things each to open on Christmas morning enough?"

The question certainly sparked debate, as the thread racked up dozens of comments.

While some Mumsnet users were adamant that this was "too much", others admitted that they would give their little darlings 50 presents on December 25.

 A Mumsnet user opened up the debate with this question
5
A Mumsnet user opened up the debate with this questionCredit: Mumsnet

A few respondents claimed that over indulging your kids at Christmastime can make them "spoilt".

One said: "10 things?! Crikey, mine are only getting 2-3 things, and a filled stocking.

"I think the more you give them the more they expect."

Another agreed: "What?! Mine get two presents from Santa (one fun one, one practical one), and one from us."

 Some said that too many presents can make a child spoilt
5
Some said that too many presents can make a child spoiltCredit: Mumsnet
 One Mumsnet user admitted that buying 50+ gifts per child was the norm in her household
5
One Mumsnet user admitted that buying 50+ gifts per child was the norm in her householdCredit: Mumsnet

Despite this, the vast majority of Mumsnet users admitted that 10 or more gifts per child makes Christmas Day more magical.

One parent admitted: "I wrap everything-they get about 10-15 small things in their stocking and then 25-30 presents downstairs."

Another agreed: "I don't think 20-30 is a lot", while another posted an embarrassed emoji alongside the confession: "probably about 50+ presents a child".

 One things for certain, the number of gifts per child varies from household to household
5
One things for certain, the number of gifts per child varies from household to householdCredit: Getty - Contributor

Some mums added that it's important to track your spending rather than the amount of presents you buy.

You could easily spend hundreds on a couple of expensive gifts instead of purchasing dozens of frugal buys.

One Mumsnet respondent advised: "Kids just love the unwrapping I find, so i wrap up every present.

"I spend more time focusing on how much money I spend.

"Usually 1 expensive present each, 2-3 affordable ones, lots of little bits that were under £10. I even wrap stocking fillers."

Last year, a mum-of-three who splashed out £1,500 on her kids' gifts revealed she'd be spending even more money.

The 37-year-old from the Isle of Man was previously accused of ‘abusing’ her children after the social media snap went viral.

Topics