Xmas Gift for 2 Yo - What and How Many?

Our extended family tends to go a little overboard with Christmas gifts, so my son doesn't get a ton from us. Last year (he was 20 months) the big thing we got him was an easel from Ikea that was like $30. I got him a smock, chalk and finger paints and he was a happy kid. I think we also got him a puzzle and a set of wooden cutting food. However, he got a tool bench from my parents and a bike from my in laws, plus tons of books and puzzles and blocks and clothes and other things. The thing with kids at that age is that they are so excited about the first thing they open that you need to convince them to stop playing with that to open the next gift. I think 3 is probably enough as long as you are sure he'll love them all, but I think 4 or 5 is totally reasonable too.

Your husband is right. Once he gets older you'll have plenty of time for more gifts. They get bored and once they open that cool gift, that's all they want. After a week, he'll be bored with the toys anyway...LOL Plus, at this age, the boxes are the best anyway. I have five kids ages 18 to 19 months. The baby has 3 gifts this year and he'll be as happy as can be. Next year you can do 4-5 gifts. That's my two cents. Have a Merry Christmas!

My little one is so fun to shop for that I always end up buying her way more than she can handle in one day. Last year, (she was 3) and she loved her dollhouse from Santa so much that she didn't even want open the rest of her gifts and there was about 20 of them for her to open. I swore I'd tone it down this year, but she's already got about 15 gifts under the tree.... I just can't help myself.

I agree that it depends upon how much extended family you have and what they will do in terms of gifts, etc. We have a big family and our kids get tons of stuff at all our Christmas stops. At 2 he will be excited about opening presents but he won't really "get" it and will be happy with opening just a few on Christmas morning, he may get bored quicker than you think. I think 3-5 is fine, I mean there are only 2 gifts in between your top numbers so I wouldn't stress too much especially if you aren't going to do big ticket items.

Also, I wanted to say that I found an awesome Thomas track meant for 18 months. My son is just over 2 and we got him that for Christmas. The tracks are compatible with the bigger sets when he gets older and the trains are just a little bit chunkier, plus the tracks don't all come apart so I won't have to constantly be piecing them back together! They had 3 different sets that I could find and they cheapest was about $25 I think. I also got him a shopping cart that he could push around which I know he'll love!

We're not a big gift-giving family, so we usually get just 1 or 2 things for our daughter. She gets a handful of other gifts from family and friends. It may change as she gets older, but at 2 yrs old, she really doesn't need more than 1 or 2 new things at a time (in fact, we usually stash the other stuff in the closet to bring out when she's looking for something new to play with!).

I just bought a tool/toolbox set for my 2 yr old nephew. It has pegs, screws, and some tools (hammer, wrench, screwdriver). Lots of fun for them and it helps with the motor skills! :)

A tool set and mega blocks. We bought my son both for Christmas last year and he still plays with them. Actually, our daycare provider bought him the tool set that he plays with the most. It has a drill that you can use to put screws into the carry case and then reverse the drill and take the screws out. He loves it.

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At 2 it is VERY easy to get overwhelmed with everything. My MIL would send about 25 gifts - big and small - we would be there for HOURS opening presents and by the end - my boys were crying or upset because they wanted to play with the 1st one or the 2nd one....

We do 3 gifts...like the 3 wise men....we've asked our families to tone down the gifts as well...since my MIL is dead, my FIL doesn't do presents. he sends money...that's "his" thing.

When my boys were 2? they liked Dinosaurs, Toy Soldiers, VTECH games...each kid is different...what does your son like to do? That will help you choose!!