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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I feel your pain except it's my parents.  Their love language is gifts, and they show up at Christmas with easily a dozen gifts for our DS.  I've tried a million different ways to ask them to dial it back, to instead of giving physical gifts give experiences or even money into the college fund.  I've asked if I can give them ideas or get a heads up on what they're buying.  Nope.  They want the joy of watching DS's face when he opens presents that they picked out.

Some years DH and I are infuriated.  Some years we try to let it go.  In theory we should dial back and give less because DS also gets a gift from each set of aunt or uncles, godparents, but it irritates me that then it's my parents who get the joy of buying gifts for my child for Christmas and DH and I then lose out on that fun.

No guidance just solidarity.  I know it's a first world problem, and one that many wish they had, but it is hard and annoying.[/quote]

We pick specific gifts each xmas and set those aside early on and let my in laws know that we are getting those gifts.

For instance, my DD's big gift is a dollhouse. DS's is a game player. These are bigger gifts even than we usually do. My MIL was definitely disappointed she didn't get to get my daughter a dollhouse, but I was particular that I wanted it to come from us and I just communicated that.

We put other gifts that the kids desire on their wish list. That we at least control what it is so it's not too big (live in a rowhouse so storage space is an issue). If I want a particular gift to come from us, I don't put it on the wish list and just say so.

I don't worry about the grandparents giving stuff that is physically small, it gives the family the joy of the kids opening it, then it's easy enough to throw in toy baskets. It's big/bulky stuff that makes me stressed because I have to find space for it. I just communicate about that.

I also do an annual cleanout and get rid of outgrown toys to make room for the new and keep things manageable.

10 toys from grandparents is definitely a lot though. I'd make a case about space and storage.[/quote]

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