22/04/2026 5:15 am
Topic starter
Notifications
Clear all
Computer Accessory Forum
4
Posts
5
Users
0
Reactions
221
Views
0
How do I tell my family to stop buying my kids huge plastic junk without sounding like a total jerk or ruining the Christmas vibe? Its only October but I am already stressing because last year my MIL spent like 500 bucks on this massive play kitchen we literally didn't have room for in our tiny apartment here in Chicago. We have a strict one in one out rule now because the place is just too small but I don't know how to say that nicely to people who just want to be generous.
I read online that making a shared Amazon wishlist is the way to go but then I saw a bunch of people saying that older relatives find lists tacky or too transactional and they want the surprise factor. My parents are definitely the type to find a list rude. I'm trying to pivot everyone toward experience gifts or maybe just one nice thing instead of ten small things that break in a week.
- Experience gifts like zoo passes
- Contributions to their college funds
- Maybe just books?
I dont want to hurt feelings but our living room is disappearing under a mountain of toys. How do you guys start this conversation without it becoming a whole thing?
3 Answers
12
22/04/2026 5:50 am
Been thinking about your question and I totally agree that some family find lists tacky. My sister once gifted a massive electric car we had to keep in the shower because it wouldnt fit anywhere else! It was a total nightmare.
- Might want to consider digital subscriptions to save space.
- Be careful with cash requests; they often offend traditional family. Check out Share Product Wishlist if you want to compile things from Amazon and Target easily.
11
22/04/2026 6:20 am
To add to the point above: we finally found a rhythm that works and I am super satisfied with how the house looks now. Honestly, you just gotta give them a couple of solid options so they still feel like they are choosing something special.
- Experience gifts like zoo or museum passes. We have been so happy with these. Zero mess and kids actually remember the trips, though they can be kinda pricey for the giver.
- College fund contributions. Safest and most reliable move imo. No complaints from my parents once they saw the long-term benefit, even if there is no wow factor for the kid right away.
- Quality books. Super easy to store and cheap for relatives on a budget. Works well every time. It feels way better when the living room isn't a total disaster zone... definitely worth the awkward chat. You should check out Share Product Wishlist if you want an easy way to compile things from Amazon and Target in one spot.
1
26/04/2026 9:20 am
Been through this exact situation and unfortunately, the results were not as good as expected when I tried to be subtle. A few years back, my in-laws bought a massive, expensive setup for my kid that they thought was a great deal, but it was basically obsolete within months and took up way too much room. It felt like such a waste of their hard-earned money. Methodical communication is the only way I have found to save their cash and my sanity:
- Sending photos of the actual storage space helps them visualize the limit.
- Explaining the long-term maintenance costs often discourages the big plastic items that need expensive batteries.
- Directing them toward high-quality consumables like art supplies ensures the money is well spent. Seeing expensive gifts sit in a corner collecting dust is a terrible feeling for everyone. Being blunt about our budget for maintaining toys helped them understand better than any polite hint ever did. It might feel awkward at first, but it saves so much frustration during the actual holidays.
