https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 28 May 2026 16:27:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2646589 Wed, 02 Nov 2016 09:24:44 +0000 LulaBee 2646589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We won't be doing a big gift this year, as my oldest hasn't really every distinguished between smaller gifts and her "big" one. We plan on buying a playset for our yard when we move, so that will be a big gift in the next few months hopefully. I have a ton of books to wrap for the 4 year old, and she's circled some stuff in the Target toy catalog so will probably pick out a toy from Santa. The 11 month old- who knows. But nothing "big" this year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2646491 Wed, 02 Nov 2016 03:32:56 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2646491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You could always consider putting a smaller gift in an organizing storage container. Like art supplies in pull out drawers or a table top organizer. Or Lego with a bit lego bucket. Makes the gift look bigger and gives you storage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2646215 Tue, 01 Nov 2016 12:26:11 +0000 birdofafeather 2646215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i don't think it has to happen if it's not needed. we already picked up an outdoor table for the girls for christmas so it's going to be physically large! but that's just because we needed something! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645989 Tue, 01 Nov 2016 07:44:08 +0000 yin 2645989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Before I liked to get the kids one big gift and maybe a few smaller ones. Now that they're older, we do it a little different. Each person in the family gifts one item of their choosing to the birthday/christmas child. Sometimes it's simple like a puzzle and book. Other times it's a $20 toy. </p> <p>Last year LO asked for an ice cream set for his birthday, and I already had it in my stash of extra toys. It worked out. He got what he asked for, and we didn't have to spend a lot of money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645952 Tue, 01 Nov 2016 06:19:53 +0000 ValentineMommy 2645952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS1 is getting a "big" gift (kinda). DS2 is not. I don't think it really matters too much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645893 Mon, 31 Oct 2016 21:11:16 +0000 imadreamer 2645893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a big fan of "experience" gifts in lieu of toys. I've done swim lessons, gymnastics and dance class in the past. This year, I was thinking of a zoo membership and membership to a children's museum! My kids are young and don't really ask for anything. Plus, they get so much from grandparents and uncles/aunts, so we never go overboard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645833 Mon, 31 Oct 2016 17:14:23 +0000 codeitall 2645833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love the idea of the experience gift. Probably going to steal that while we're apartment living too :)</p> <p>My family usually did a big family gift (ping pong table, wii, tv for the basement, basketball hoop, trampoline, swingset, etc.) but the one I remember the most was when I was 12 and my parents bought a whole set of those collapsible tunnels and houses and set them up around the living room. It was a long time till we opened presents that year because my brothers started playing in them right away! Totally collapsible, a novelty since they're stored most of the time, and 'big' but cheap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645816 Mon, 31 Oct 2016 16:24:34 +0000 looch 2645816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A big gift doesn't have to be an object, it can be an experience...those are always memorable, like lessons to something or a membership. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645749 Mon, 31 Oct 2016 14:46:48 +0000 newlypregnantlady 2645749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids will not. My husband and I aren't big gift givers anyways (we would honestly never give anyone gifts ever again if we could get away with it — and we never give each other gifts). It's kind of a source of contention between DH and his family. </p> <p>Ah, this is making me stress about Christmas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645729 Mon, 31 Oct 2016 14:19:53 +0000 LuLu Mom 2645729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, however we were in the same boat this year, they just did not need anything big. So we decided to take a mini vacation as their "big gift" and we are going to Great Wolf Lodge which is 3 hours away. Santa usually brings the big gifts, but this year Santa is bringing a smaller toy for each and mom and dad get to do the "fun" gift! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645694 Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:46:21 +0000 catgirl 2645694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In this case is big determined by size or cost? DD is getting a play tent this year that has a fairly large footprint but it cost less than $35. </p> <p>Her birthday is in December so like others we buy things as she needs them throughout the year. For holidays we buy what makes sense based on our budget and her interests. I don't think one big gift is necessary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645685 Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:39:53 +0000 Anagram 2645685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: that's us! We actually just sold a bunch of our bigger items, because we both agree we weren't getting anything else large until we got rid of it all. So we sold the activity cube, the play table, 1 ride on toy that someone handed down to us, and the V-tech walker. And are replacing all that with a smaller sized play kitchen. </p> <p>So basically, our apartment will still have lots of kid crap, but different kid crap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645418 Mon, 31 Oct 2016 10:00:35 +0000 SweetiePie 2645418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in an apartment so don't do big stuff in general. There are so many things I'd love to get him like a play kitchen but I just don't want to start down that path and have no living space left. We physically have room now but I don't want every inch to be consumed. </p> <p>My MIL said she wants to get him a "big" gift this year (she is of the mindset that money and size matter) and I had to politely ask her not to because we don't have the room. She wasn't happy but I don't think she fully grasps living in an apartment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645412 Mon, 31 Oct 2016 09:55:11 +0000 snowjewelz 2645412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope. We didn't even really do gifts last year... Our families aren't huge gifts people. I get her what she needs through out the year, and she can get big or small gifts depending what she's missing.</p> <p>We already spent a lot of $ on doing her big girl room recently so she won't be getting any "big" gifts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645328 Mon, 31 Oct 2016 07:40:30 +0000 Bao 2645328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SugarplumsMom: right?! We were going to get LO1 the PJ Masks HQ ($70 gift, 2ft tall) -: her big gift. We were looking st toys for fun and she barely took a glance at it. I asked what out of all the stuff in this section she wanted and she chose a PJ Masks car for $12. Sold, done and done lol! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645326 Mon, 31 Oct 2016 07:37:34 +0000 Cole 2645326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We aren't doing a big gift either, I may open the manga tiles and build something with them for more of a wow factor. Last year she was 1.5 and we got her a duplo barn set that we built for her since she was so little and it worked out really nicely as a "big" gift. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645320 Mon, 31 Oct 2016 07:27:56 +0000 yellowbird 2645320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We usually do one big gift, though it is getting kind of hard and space is running out! She's getting a bike this year and C is getting some bigger truck type things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645290 Mon, 31 Oct 2016 02:24:16 +0000 lamariniere 2645290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids have never gotten a big gift for the holidays. We are like @sandy: and we buy certain things as needed like a bike or scooter. So far though, neither of them have expressed an interest in a big gift. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645289 Mon, 31 Oct 2016 02:20:28 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2645289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've given up on big gifts. My kid doesn't think they're actually better than small gifts. I think that most of my big gifts are more for me, than her anyways :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645278 Mon, 31 Oct 2016 00:43:34 +0000 sandy 2645278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't usually do a big gift. I know one year we got her a nice play kitchen set up but it just happened to coincide with something we thought was age appropriate that we wanted to get anyway and there was a good online deal for the holidays. </p> <p>We get her things as she needs them throughout the year. For example, when she was ready for a bike we got her a bike. We didn't wait until Christmas to reveal a big special gift for her. I think Christmas is already such a magical time of year that a big gift isn't necessary and I just don't want Christmas to be all about expecting some huge gift they've been waiting for all year. I know this may change as she gets older but for now getting her some little special gifts is enough. And having all the other special traditions is enough. She gets so many gifts for her birthday a month before Christmas anyway. And we do get her several things she loves to open on Christmas but nothing huge or expensive or extravagant. And for now that works great for us </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645218 Sun, 30 Oct 2016 19:47:39 +0000 nana87 2645218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've always had a bigger gift, but I don't know what to get this time! We have a small apartment and are maxing out on space as it is, esp since we are adding a bed in her room to make space for her sister coming. and she doesn't really need anything... she loves opening gifts though-- she was so into it at her last bday-- I think we might just get more books, play food sets, puzzles, and plastic animals since those are all things she enjoys and we can add to her current bins and shelves without having to reorganize... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645188 Sun, 30 Oct 2016 18:18:20 +0000 catomd00 2645188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know what we will get her his year. Last year was the first xmas she really got it, and she got a play kitchen that gets used daily still. I feel pressure to get something big, but I also don't want it to take away from her using the kitchen. I'm considering a doll house as her big gift, but may forego it this year and wait for her birthday or next year. She really doesn't need anything or even seem bored with what she has, so I don't know what to get! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645185 Sun, 30 Oct 2016 18:10:57 +0000 Bao 2645185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@katsupgirl: washer and dryer don't get much use but the grocery stand does! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645182 Sun, 30 Oct 2016 17:50:48 +0000 katsupgirl 2645182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: how is the washer dryer? I was considering it. I also thought the grocery stand would be good to hold food stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645166 Sun, 30 Oct 2016 16:37:52 +0000 Smurfette 2645166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We didn't last year. All will depend on what she wants. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645163 Sun, 30 Oct 2016 16:22:28 +0000 caterw 2645163@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have gotten a big gift the past 2 years but won't this year because we are going to Disney in March. They are each just getting a Christmas dress, a book, and a small toy from us plus stockings. Last year our older daughter cried because she was overwhelmed with presents and our younger one will be just 2 months old so I don't think they will care anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645155 Sun, 30 Oct 2016 15:36:31 +0000 looch 2645155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think we're getting our son a big gift this year. Last year we did, and it worked out so well because we really didn't do anything other than that and a few books.</p> <p>I am really stumped this year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645152 Sun, 30 Oct 2016 15:27:35 +0000 Anagram 2645152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They never have, in previous years. This year we are thinking about getting them a play kitchen, so it might be the first/only year we do a big gift. It will be a shared gift, and maybe some small gifts to go along with it like some food sets. They don't need any clothes at all, and they are set on books, so I'm not even doing want/need/wear/read this year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-getting-a-big-gift#post-2645070 Sun, 30 Oct 2016 09:01:36 +0000 Bao 2645070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Every year so far the girls have gotten a main/big gift. Play kitchen, kids table and chairs, grocery stand, play washer and dryer etc. This year they just don't "need" anything big, nor do we have the space. I'm mostly done shopping and it consists of lots of books, Lego sets and art stuff. </p> <p>Do your kiddos always get a 'big' gift for Christmas? </p>