Christmas Presents – Keep Your Present Purchases Under Wraps

I don’t know about you, but I tend to go over the top every-single-year.

And always spend way more than I plan to… I keep seeing nice things I think the boys might like, and just keep buying and buying and buying.

Now I’m not telling you to buy from every category…..NOOOOO. But, it’s a great guideline if you’re like me and find it difficult to keep the present purchases under wraps.

Something they want:

• The item they want most of all. This item is usually at the top of their’Santa’s list and as they get older you may require a re-mortgage if you want to get it. But hey; it’s Christmas.

Something they need:

I’m a lunch box and school bag kind of mum. It saves’having to buy it anyway’at back to school time and will be used all year round.

• Sports Equipment

• Musical Instrument

• New school bag

• Socks and Jocks

• Pencil Cases

• Chair Bag, Library Bag, Sports Bag

• Deodorant and Body Spray

• Lunch Box and Water Bottle

• Soap on a Rope

• Toiletries

Something to wear:

Togs and a new pair of pluggers are always a winner this time of year.

• A piece of clothing that is brand name or something they wouldn’t normally get day to day

• Fancy cap, hat or beanie

• Pair of’new shoes

• New pair of bathers

• Pair of Pyjamas

• Slippers and Dressing Gown

• Fluffy Socks

• Sports Jerseys

• Family Onesies

• Ugly Christmas Jumpers

Something to read:

Even if your child isn’t a big reader you can use this gift as a way of engaging their inner book worm and get them something a little out of the ordinary.

• Novel

• Comic

• Check out the latest best selling books at Angus & Robertson

• Magazine Subscription

• Kindle

• Audio Book

• Ebooks

• Ipad

• Subscription to Audible

Something to do:

Doing something outside of the home is a great way to get your kids moving and gives them something to look forward to after the festive season is over.

• Movie Tickets

• Ice Skating or Roller Skating

• Colouring In Book and Crayons

• See a Rugby or AFL Match

• Go to the Zoo

• Laser Tag

• Visit a Trampoline Park

• 10 Pin Bowling

• Surfing Lessons

• Go Go-Karting

• Theme Park Tickets

• Go to a Museum

• Tickets for a Concert (bands touring Australia this year include The Foo Fighters, Pink and Macklemore)

Something for ‘me’:

This type of gift is the perfect way to help express and appreciate your child’s individuality.

• A Locket

• A Watch

• A Personalised Christmas Bauble

• A Personalised Necklace

• Scrapbook or Photo Book

• Massage Voucher

• Handbag

• Perfume or Aftershave

• Pandora Charm

• A Beach Towel

• Bedding (sheets, new doona cover, pillow)

• Pamper Pack (bath salts, bath bombs)

• Their own gaming console

Something for the family:

Getting the fam together for a game of backyard cricket is a perfect way to end your Christmas Day and it’s something everyone can enjoy.

• Board Games

• Play Equipment

• Gaming Console (X Box, Play Station, Wii)

• XBox Live Gold Membership

• Gingerbread House Kit

• Google Home

• Trampoline

• Ping Pong Table

• Snooker Table

• Badminton Set

• Cricket Set

• Pool (if you are rich)

• A Puppy or Kitten

• Foxtel or Netflix Subscription

• A Family Holiday

• Matching Family Onesies

• A Family Sized Tent

• Family Photograph Voucher

Christmas is a magical time of the year and it is easy to go over-board on gifts for the kids.

Choose a budget and stick to that budget. – Kids don’t need a million gifts.

They just need you! Your Presence is more important than Presents.

Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

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