oh yea!
They ask and want so much. But I guess we need to really give it some thought will they really use it, need it etc....
Or maybe on there list have them but a star around 6 items they want real bad and get 3 of them.
It is so hard. We get so wrapped up in it all. It usually is a day or two before Christams we start thinking we didn't get enough etc..... ANd by the time the actual day comes then I am so sick of wrapping gifts becasue we over bought. Then like you said kicking the stuff out of the way later.
We have the last 2 years really worked hard on keeping under control and are doing better. This year...well we haven't even started yet..............

Yes, it's easy to go overboard. This is what works for me...I go to the store with their lists and CASH for each child (whatever amount we have decided to spend in advance) - NO credit cards - and I shop until I'm out of money! I stay off the internet (amazon, toysrus.com, etc), I don't look at the ads, and I ignore the things the kids want to "add on" later. Good luck!!

I used to be bad with going overboard, but I soon learned that not everything will be played with if they get too much.

I've become very discerning through the years...possibly because of getting older, wiser, and more responsible....eh...

one problem with going overboard is that it sets the bar high for expectations.

I try to visualize what I've bought to be from Santa out on the floor, in santa-spread form. and see if it looks skimpy or magical.

that's kind of my gauge. some years I actually put it out when he's asleep early, so I can see how it will look.

I try to shoot for somewhere inbetween practical and overboard. = )

I've been really bad about going overboard in the past & I finally had to admit to myself that it was more for me and creating the perfect Christmas memories I wish I'd had growing up.

I set the bar to high and it's taken me two years to try to deprogram the monster I've created (aka, my almost 9y.o. d/s). In my opinion, he still has way too much and I've been trying to get him into the habit of boxing up the things he doesn't want or need anymore to donate to Salvation Army or Purple Heart...it's been a long, slow, painful and mind-numbing process & I regret ever having gone overboard. I wish I'd started small and worked my way up gradually. The same goes for Cupid, The Easter Bunny and The Tooth Fairy.

I'm guilty of going overboard but I have learned over the years to slow down. Especially because they will receive so many other gifts (from relatives and friends). Every year (for holidays and birthdays) we make the children pick a few of their gifts (still in the packaging) to donate to the Children's Hospital. And they actually LOVE to pick which ones to donate... and have no problem parting with a few of them. And then we take them to the Children's Hospital and the nurse lets us walk the gifts into the sick children. It's amazing how good it makes our kids feel and it always brings a smile to the sick child. It's our tradition and I have to say, it really helps the kids understand how lucky they are and it helps decrease the "gimmies."

I don't go overboard. Because I have 3 kids to purchase things for, but my parents do help with their Christmas presents as well. So they get enough to keep them happy.