Is it unfair to request family NOT to buy toys for Christmas?

We did this last year! We asked for books or clothes. No one had a problem with it. I’d tell them if they’re gifting toys they have to stay in their house x

Erm I’m in the same position but I would never dream of telling someone what to do regarding presents, they are grandparents, uncles , aunts ect , on his birthday I only asked nicely if possible not to buy anything big as we don’t have space and I don’t feel comfortable getting rid of his toys yet . But I feel is not fair to tell them to gift money instead. I personally I am just truly happy that they are part of our life and I dont wanna condition no one or put them in an uncomfortably position. But that’s just me

We did a wishlist and I said my daughter got a lot of new toys in Sept (her birthday) so we said she’d like to receive items for learning or contribution towards outdoor play. I’m sure we will still get some toys and will gladly accept them, but just giving a hint so we’re not all overwhelmed 😂 I think for close family it’s fine if you’d end up donating and wasting their money. I’d rather someone tell me!

I think it’s fair to suggest things, but just be prepared that they may not listen 😅 My in-laws specifically asked for a wish list of toys last year, which I provided and said please no clothes, but not a single one of them bought from the list and they all bought her clothes 😂

@Roxana I totally understand that.. for reference I'm talking just grandparents. I would never say this to aunties and uncles because I'm not being petty over a single small gift.. its the grandparents who go way over the top and buy too many gifts 😂🤦‍♀️

@Rhiannon oh that would annoy me so much! Why even bother asking you to make a list!? 😬

I guess because here was never the case to buy to much that’s why I am not annoyed, what do I know my son is only 2 and only family from dad side we are in contact so I guess that clears my point of view a little bit , if we’re my parents probably would be able to say something like that

Ask for stuff you need, memberships or days out.

Can you not go through your child's toys & get rid of any they don't play with any more to make room for any they might get at Christmas?

I don’t think it’s unfair, but grandparents want to see their grandkids faces light up with their new toys and when they play with them 🤷🏼‍♀️ it’s not as exciting being gifted clothes or money! Can’t you just ask for toys in the next age up? So they feel happy they’re giving toys, and you actually will have some use for them in the future?

We do this every year! I make a registry/wish list for my son for the past 5 years . My family has been respectful about it. Some are toys but they’re educational ones which I prefer.

i never received any gifts my entire pregnancy to currently so that would be a dream of mine somone buying gifts for mine😿

@Rachel I did say that we don't have anything to really get rid off, I've been through the toys and discarded any of the cheap tat that has built up but everything else she either plays with or its something she'll still grow into so I won't part with it to be kicking myself in a few months when I go out and buy the same thing again.

@Cotswoldmama my daughter actually loves new clothes 😂 I've sent videos to them showing her excitingly opening a parcel of new clothes, they all laughed and thought it was brilliant.. but still don't want to buy her clothes 🤦‍♀️😂 That's not a bad idea providing we had the room to store them and we really don't... this is why I really don't want loads of new toys. I wouldn't mind if they would just buy 1 toy that isn't too big.. but they insist on a BIG toy and then a pile of little ones to go with it.. its just too much. I'm of course grateful, but I'd wish they'd consider what she needs rather than just what they'll take joy from gifting.

Ahh yeah that’s fair enough! I get it though, I have a friend who buys my daughter LOADS of stuff, but it’s all really cheap tat (not that I’m ungrateful for it) but it’s just all breaks and ends up having to go in the bin, and I have no space for it! It just seems so pointless

Would you consider suggesting that they gift her an experience instead of toys? For example: I would say, "Hey(mom or MIL), LO is growing up so fast and has soooooo many toys already, I was thinking that this year it would be so fantastic for you guys to make some special grandparent/ child memories together instead of just a cute toy. It would be awesome for you to take her to: (Disney on ice, the circus, an amusement park, or whatever else you can think of). She'll remember that special experience forever." Then see what they say. If they aren't up for it and really want to get her toys, then you're out of luck. 💗

@Cotswoldmama that's my other problem! The grandparents buy alot of cheap tat.. but they also spend alot of money so it often equals one hell of alot of tat 🤦‍♀️ I'm trying to politely tell them that the amount of money they spend could be better spent if they just let us add it to her money box 🤷🏼‍♀️

@Giavanna I really love that idea! Thank you! ❤️

We’ve asked them not to buy toys. We’ve asked for either clothes in the next size up, vouchers or tickets for days out

Most of our family and friends ask what to get anyway so I just don't ask for toys if that's not what we want. My kids are 3.5 and 3 months so we can still get away with giving clothes and it still being fun

I think that's perfectly fine

Definitely not unreasonable However this year, telling the grandparents that this year will need to be quality over quantity We’re having another baby right after Christmas and they’re not going to compete who can buy the most 😅

You mention buying cos you are Santa. We are doing Santa gets her a book of her choice and the rest of her presents come from family/friends (she's 2). When I worked in nurseries children who didn't get much from Santa felt like they must have been bad when their friends got loads.

@Natalie fantastic idea.. I often think about this and it does break my heart. I wish we could all collectively agree that Santa only brings a small token gift from now on and break this ridiculous cycle! I didn't mean that we would let her believe all the gifts came from Santa.. I meant more because its our job to put out the pile she comes downstairs to Christmas morning and create that magic. We will be doing similar, 1 small gift will be from Santa. The rest from us.

We have a few toys on our daughters list for family but we also have wipes, sleep sack, a new mattress😅, gift cards to clothing stores

We're going with the something you want, something they need, something to wear and something to read principle to try and stop things getting out of hand. Unlikely to work, but giving it a try!

We always do a clean out of whatever they don't use anymore to make space for new toys on Christmas. I hate seeing my kid's disappointment face when they open their gifts and it's clothes, one of my kids actually cried the Christmas my husband requeated no toys she was 2 it broke my heart

I totally get this and I actually hate the fact of having to do a clearout just to make room for random tat that has been gifted at Christmas :( I am grateful etc but I really would prefer money for a day out/ towards a holiday etc and I did politely say to our family please no presents but all except my mum have said theyre not giving money as they want children to open presents 🤡

I think it's a hard one as like previously said people like to see the excitement on their faces when opening a present and money and clothes doesn't do that at a young age. I get where you are coming from though. We have upstairs toys and downstairs toys and some stored in a cupboard that we swap around.. we have no more room so kinda of dreading what she'll get for Xmas

My son birthday is 2 day after Christmas so my mum offered to get my son a tonies box as joint present as will have lots of toy, some family will buy toys without asking and other I have suggested thing interested in to add to collection or other useful items for next development xx

We made a list of Christmas gifts on the things tobget me website. In the intro, I explained that this year we are taking baby to snowboard and it would be really amazing if everyone could help us make sure they have what they need. I explained that little one has too many toys & that we are currently doing a toy clean up to donate. I made sure to put items ranging from $6-$300. I did throw in a toddler cutting board and customized apron. Ahaha

We requested books or clothes for their birthday and it went fine. A few people still bought gifts but like 2-3. I would never ask for money though

I've requested exactly that this Christmas. We have limited space and it's already FULL, they do not need more toys. A few sure but not the usual giant Christmas pile. I've asked for books, some things they actually need, or activities/experiences. I know my mom is looking into either an interactive kids program at the zoo or a family pass to a local children's museum we love but is kinda pricey so we don't go often. Cost wise it would be about the same as the amount of toys she'd usually get them and it doesn't take up space but gives them a lot of cool stuff to do

@Maleni under normal circumstances I understand that.. but my daughter loves new clothes! I said in a earlier comment that I sent family a video of her opening a parcel of new clothes really excited and grateful, it was brilliant to see from a 2 year old! I think while she's still happy to receive clothes I don't see the issue... I know it will wear off eventually 😂

@Peer95 I totally get you, I'm grateful that they want to buy for her of course, but she's at an age where it really doesn't matter to her.. she's not going to show any disappointment AT ALL! We actually explained to grandparents that the money would be put towards a play house for the garden in summer.. so they actually would be buying her something just chipping in with each other and us.. they acted like it was a good idea but they can't refrain from buying shit still 🤦‍♀️

We've told everyone our son has plenty of toys and if they would like to buy him something they can buy clothing

Kindly request that you don’t get our little ones toys for Christmas . due to space and sustainability reasons

I know that grandparents aunts and uncles aren't going to be able to resiat buying toys, so we're only buying 1 new toy ourselves for Christmas - a toddler piano

Give them away:) if they choose to anyway