Skip to main content

How many presents should your child get for Christmas? Here are some insights

Less is more when it comes to holiday gift giving

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and what brings more joy on Christmas morning than your children running toward the tree to see what Santa brought for them? (A quick cup of strong coffee also helps.) A child’s wish list can seem endless and no parent wants to see their child disappointed on Christmas morning. However, parents should consider budget and need and know where to draw the line when it comes to gift giving.

Before arriving at that point, you’ve been planning and shopping for the gifts on your child’s list for Santa. If you have ever wondered just how many presents an average child gets at Christmas, we have a few insights to share with you about gifting your little ones.

Christmas presents under the tree
Kinga Krzeminska / Getty Images

How many presents does an average child get at Christmas?

According to the National Retail Federation, some people might spend about $830. Although this includes food, decorations, and other “non-gift” items, that’s still a large amount. With that in mind, you might consider establishing a budget ahead of time in order to avoid mounting credit card debt while still providing a fun and exciting Christmas morning at the same time.

Young girl excited about her Christmas present
Georgijevic / iStock Photo

Exactly how many presents should a kid get for Christmas?

One possible answer is three because Baby Jesus received three gifts from the Magi. Otherwise, you can opt for a reasonable number that your budget allows for. Another factor to keep in mind is the probable chance that grandparents and other members of your extended family might also send a gift. Thus, the whole idea is not to overwhelm your children on Christmas morning, but to strike a healthy balance. After all, you want to avoid the dilemma of a bored child who’s surrounded by too many toys.

Another holiday hack is to focus on the meaning behind the season, and the idea of giving. One way to incorporate this is by drawing names. Your child can randomly pick a name from those in the immediate household, or from a list of the extended family, and from there, create a special handmade or baked gift that comes straight from the heart.

Toddler taking a picture

How about quality vs. quantity?

When contemplating the question of “how many presents should a kid get for Christmas,” you might consider the types of toys instead of the number, especially in relation to your child’s age. For example, in a doctoral study on child development, the quality of the playtime for toddlers had a more profound impact on development as opposed to the number of toys. In other words, when toddlers are given only two to four toys to play with, they exercise their creativity by taking each toy and reinventing its function or purpose.

Furthermore, this has a positive effect on attention span, whereas having several toys and gadgets at their disposal would serve more as distractions than quality playtime. The concept of “less is more” definitely fits this situation.

child playing
Studio Romantic / Shutterstock

What if my child already has a ton of toys and clothes?

If your child has already accumulated a lot of stuff throughout the years, you may want to consider non-toy gift ideas for toddlers. Perhaps you can give the gift of a memorable experience or a new skill. Any of the following would make awesome presents that are both meaningful, and in some cases, educational:

  • Subscriptions to book clubs or age-appropriate magazines
  • Memberships to museums, aquariums, or other locations of interest
  • Tickets to a fun event or a favorite activity
  • Outdoor equipment for camping, hiking, or fishing
  • A one-month trial of lessons such as a musical instrument, dance, or martial arts

Plus, going on an outing brings the family closer together, and the memories are more valuable than things.

Christmas candle arrangement

In addition to gifts, what else can we incorporate into the celebration?

The sky is basically the limit when it comes to observing this holiday. In fact, one study found their participants enjoyed the holiday season more when they focus on cultural or religious traditions as opposed to gift-giving and dollar amounts.

One such example includes the “Posada” — or “journey,” which is similar to caroling in a familiar neighborhood. This tradition that is derived from the Mexican culture involves two teens who play the roles of Mary and Joseph leading the group door to door (the homeowners agree ahead of time to participate) singing hymns and reenacting the Nativity story where the couple searches for a room at the inn. When they arrive at their destination (the home that’s the designated “inn”), everyone goes inside for a brief time of prayer, then a grand feast, and of course, more singing.

Additionally, other activities can be included, such as a Christmas movie marathon, games, or a charitable activity such as taking small handmade gifts to a local nursing home or caroling at a local hospital (with permission granted ahead of time).

Basically, the gifts do not have to be the finale of the holiday, and there are many ways to make Christmas extra special and meaningful for your children. After all, the joy that’s found in spending time with family and friends and relishing in the time-honored traditions create the magic that makes up the season.

Editors' Recommendations

Leslie Anderson
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Leslie Anderson is a freelance writer/writing coach from Roswell, N.M. She enjoys gardening, cooking, and helping students…
Are your kids watching TV too much? The screen time guide every parent needs
Everything you need to know about screen time and your kids
Two siblings lying on the floor watching tv together.

By now, every parent has gotten the message that the time their kids are watching TV should be limited. Parents are inundated with messaging around screen time and how much is too much, but the reality is that kids watching TV can often give parents a much-needed break. Whether it's to get a meal ready, throw in a load of laundry, or simply enjoy a few minutes without a child asking you for something, letting your kids watch TV feels like an easy and harmless way to keep them occupied, but what amount is okay and how much is too much?
Watching TV can impact children in a few ways, and it all depends on multiple factors. For instance, are you spending time with them while they watch? How many hours per day do they spend glued to the tube? What shows do they watch? We've collected the important information so you can make the best decision about your child's television intake.

What age is too young for kids to watch TV?
According to pediatrician Dr. David Hill, MD, FAAP, "it takes around 18 months for a baby's brain to develop to the point where the symbols on a screen come to represent their equivalents in the real world." So, it's important that babies get real-life social interaction, and not stare at screens all day.

Read more
Should your kids have an Apple Watch?
These are the pros and cons of an Apple Watch for your kid
A person checking their Apple watch.

If there’s one thing on every kid’s wish list when they get to a certain age, it’s a smartwatch. Wearables are the coolest and fun new gadgets for kids, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight with the demand for one. Smartwatches are the height of convenience, allowing users to leave their phones in their bags and do everything right there on their wrists. But since there isn't a kids' Apple Watch version available, children are getting the real deal.

With all the convenience, though, some people have major privacy concerns about wearable devices, especially when it comes to their children. When used correctly with appropriate parental controls, smartwatches, especially the Apple Watch, could be a boon to both kids and parents alike. But should your kid sport a device designed for adults? Let's see if children should wear an Apple Watch or if it's one more device they shouldn't be left alone with.

Read more
Why you need baby earmuffs to protect your child from noise
No need to miss out on loud events with baby earmuffs
Baby with noise-canceling headphones

Loud noises can be annoying for most people, but for a baby, loud noises can negatively impact their hearing. Noisy environments can be more than just scary to your little one. The alarming fact is that long-term or even short periods of exposure to especially loud sounds can damage your newborn, infant, or toddler's sensitive inner ear — potentially leading to noise-induced hearing loss.

Unfortunately, severe damage to the hearing nerve is irreversible. If you suspect your young child may have some hearing loss, you will want to ask a doctor or specialist to perform tests. To help prevent hearing loss, you'll want to do everything you can to keep their ears healthy and safe, like getting a pair of baby earmuffs for your little one. Headphones for infants can actually give little ones the protective benefits of noise reduction. Want to know when to slap a pair on your peanut? Read on for all the important tips and info.

Read more