Christmas and my children getting older...

[vinlaasmummy07]

So I have four children 4,6 8 And just about to turn 11...

Trying to sort out the 8 year old and 11 year olds presents. Blimey it's so sad, neither really want toys anymore just playstation network points for fortnite and a few games! Can't help but feel they will be disappointed Christmas day with so little to open! They grow up so fast!

[munmun]

We have a tradition that our grandchildren get new pyjamas on Christmas Eve. Having presents to open can simply be things they need for the coming year like clothes, socks, books and experience, toiletries.

Presents to open don’t need to be expensive, can be jokey little things.

[Leggibone]

I think as I reached the age where I wanted smaller but more expensive items it was only hard for me and my older brother because our sister was still into dolls and cheaper toys so she got to open loads! The way mum combatted it was to give us little bits and bobs to open, and splitting things (like I got a ps2 however many years ago, I got the games and memory cards and stuff to open separately, and I may add in a cruel manor that made me think I was having to return half my presents Boxing Day)
So Prehaps get smaller gift cards and pop the all separately rather then all in one chunk, buy them specific games to open rather then all points? Maybe they’d enjoy some of the personalised stickers for the controllers or something too?

[scruffycharlie]

With my sons playstation gift cards I normally get him 5 x £10 cards instead of one £50 card and I wrap each one with a box of his favourite sweets/chocolate so he’s got 5 more presents to open.

[Connies Mummy]

My Dd is 11 this year and now that she knows who Santa really is she isn’t expecting a huge pile of gifts. She does also realise that smaller generally means more expensive. That said her list this year comprises 2 books and a new bag for ballet, and says that she really can’t think of anything else she wants! I’d like to say it’s going to be a cheap year but she has really got into watching POV theme park rides on YouTube so we are thinking that she might like her very own GoPro so she can make her own videos!

[scruffycharlie]

Originally Posted by Connies Mummy

My Dd is 11 this year and now that she knows who Santa really is she isn’t expecting a huge pile of gifts. She does also realise that smaller generally means more expensive. That said her list this year comprises 2 books and a new bag for ballet, and says that she really can’t think of anything else she wants! I’d like to say it’s going to be a cheap year but she has really got into watching POV theme park rides on YouTube so we are thinking that she might like her very own GoPro so she can make her own videos!

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As soon as my son realised Santa wasn’t real his Christmas list got a lot smaller as he didn’t want to ask for too much as he knew we had to pay for them, but he thought Santa brought them for free.

[floridasgirl]

It doesn't gave to be toys!
Books, DVDs, new clothes etc all add to the pile!

[floridasgirl]

We bought dd15 a young driver day for her birthday, im sure they can do that from 11.

[Pumpkin Pie]

If your presents have a theme you could turn it into a treasure hunt. We did this one year and our sons loved it. They got so excited reading the clues and running from room to room. The presents started small leading up to the main one.

[Connies Mummy]

Originally Posted by scruffycharlie

As soon as my son realised Santa wasn’t real his Christmas list got a lot smaller as he didn’t want to ask for too much as he knew we had to pay for them, but he thought Santa brought them for free.

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I’d told DD a few years ago that I gave Santa a contribution to the gifts after she asked why some friends just got one present and she got lots!