Christmas gift exchange ideas for scads of nieces & nephews

[Anonymous]

On my side of the family, I have several siblings, including myself, with several kids each. Total of 10 nieces/nephews, with more on the way. Needless to say, gift giving at Christmas has become onerous. In the past we have spent about 30-40 dollars per child, with lots of gifts being returned. Add to that shipping costs (we are all long distance) and the general not knowing what to get a ten year old boy I hardly see when u don't have kids in that age and stage yourself, and it starts to just seem like a big waste for all involved.

I suggested a secret Santa exchange this year, where each child draws the name of a cousin and buys him or her a very nice gift. Cuts total costs down a bit and hopefully gives a better shot at gifts being worthwhile. This suggestion was shot down by my siblings, who think that each child not receiving their own gift from each set of aunts and uncles would really be a downer. I was surprised at the reaction because I thought my idea would make life easier for everyone. None of us is in need of gifts anyway, and FWIW, we all exchange birthday gifts throughout the year for each child. It's the holiday part that is overwhelming with the sheer number of kids.

Anyway, I'm here seeking suggestions from others of who have a large number of nieces and nephews. Have you hit upon any solutions for holiday gifting that minimize hassle and waste?

[Anonymous]

Get cheaper gifts

[Anonymous]

Yes but with cheaper gifts you still have to do all the shopping and then everyone receives stuff they don't want or need.

[Anonymous]

Why don't you suggest a dollar limit? $15 per child. Or suggest books/magazine subscriptions.

Personally, in our family, we exchange Want Lists. You can be as vague or specific as you want, and nobody is obligated to stick to the list, but it definitely helps. Kids will write things like "black & white checked flannel shirt size M from Forever 21" but will also write "Under Armor stuff."

[Anonymous]

My boys use pintrest.

They post links to their favorite things so people get a sense of what they are into.

A lot of price points. Nice variety. Cousins can see what cousins like and possibly add that to their list too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On my side of the family, I have several siblings, including myself, with several kids each. Total of 10 nieces/nephews, with more on the way. Needless to say, gift giving at Christmas has become onerous. In the past we have spent about 30-40 dollars per child, with lots of gifts being returned. Add to that shipping costs (we are all long distance) and the general not knowing what to get a ten year old boy I hardly see when u don't have kids in that age and stage yourself, and it starts to just seem like a big waste for all involved.

I suggested a secret Santa exchange this year, where each child draws the name of a cousin and buys him or her a very nice gift. Cuts total costs down a bit and hopefully gives a better shot at gifts being worthwhile. This suggestion was shot down by my siblings, who think that each child not receiving their own gift from each set of aunts and uncles would really be a downer. I was surprised at the reaction because I thought my idea would make life easier for everyone. None of us is in need of gifts anyway, and FWIW, we all exchange birthday gifts throughout the year for each child. It's the holiday part that is overwhelming with the sheer number of kids.

Anyway, I'm here seeking suggestions from others of who have a large number of nieces and nephews. Have you hit upon any solutions for holiday gifting that minimize hassle and waste?

Did they actually ask the kids? My family ended up doing this before not doing gifts at all. I know when I was young, I would rather have one really nice gift that I asked for, versus a bunch of random stuff that I neither wanted nor needed. Years later I still remember some of the nicer gifts - a curling iron I wanted, a really nice leather Coach belt, etc.

[Anonymous]

At the point, I'd do a more modest gift for each child - but do something simple like a $10 iTunes gift card. My aunt and uncle used to get all of us stuff like that every year - nothing expensive and generally something generic but something everyone could like and use.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I'd set a dollar amount for yourself and stick to it. If your siblings complain, say it's just too much sorry.

In my family we only buy for those we are celebrating with. So on the years I don't see my brother's kids, I don't buy them stuff. If I'm going to see them, I do. No one is sitting around bean counting though. The kids get SHIT tons of stuff either way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On my side of the family, I have several siblings, including myself, with several kids each. Total of 10 nieces/nephews, with more on the way. Needless to say, gift giving at Christmas has become onerous. In the past we have spent about 30-40 dollars per child, with lots of gifts being returned. Add to that shipping costs (we are all long distance) and the general not knowing what to get a ten year old boy I hardly see when u don't have kids in that age and stage yourself, and it starts to just seem like a big waste for all involved.

I suggested a secret Santa exchange this year, where each child draws the name of a cousin and buys him or her a very nice gift. Cuts total costs down a bit and hopefully gives a better shot at gifts being worthwhile. This suggestion was shot down by my siblings, who think that each child not receiving their own gift from each set of aunts and uncles would really be a downer. I was surprised at the reaction because I thought my idea would make life easier for everyone. None of us is in need of gifts anyway, and FWIW, we all exchange birthday gifts throughout the year for each child. It's the holiday part that is overwhelming with the sheer number of kids.

Anyway, I'm here seeking suggestions from others of who have a large number of nieces and nephews. Have you hit upon any solutions for holiday gifting that minimize hassle and waste?

My reply to this would be "Why is it a downer?. It shouldn't be. " and yes, I would tell my siblings this but I don't have to because they have never taught their kids they are entitled to gifts from family members or anyone.

Further, they understand as the parents they are responsible for providing Christmas gifts for their kids and i as their aunt are not. I provide small token gifts for each of my nieces and my children get the same in return. The kids are just excited to open another gift.

[Anonymous]

My aunts always gave me an ornament. Over the yeas it's nice to see all the ornaments together on the tree. I have a whole section for barbie ornaments.

[Anonymous]

Get them all a magazine subscription. That's what I did last year.

I have 12 nieces and nephews, and as a group, we've decided to cap gifts at around $15. We're talking about moving to secret Santa next year.

If the gift thing isn't really your deal, but everyone else likes the stays quo, you don't have much choice. There's no shame (though maybe some sibling judgement) in being the aunt who always gives gift cards, books, or a certificate for the local trampoline park or skating rink though. Pick something and make it a tradition. Or get Amazon prime and don't worry about shipping.

[Anonymous]

Get everyone a movies gift card. Or a book and an ornament. Love the magazine subscription - lots of kid options.

[Anonymous]

I vote for the gift card idea! Kids love them, easy to ship, you know they'll be used.

[Anonymous]

Tbh I would do gift cards or start sending family gifts like a board game or a big gift certificate to the movies or bowling.

[Anonymous]

Books from Amazon.