So this is Christmas..... part one-Presents

In amongst the wrapping paper there is a child!

As John Lennon sings once again over speakers in hot, over crowed shops.
'So what have you done?
another year over, and a new one just begun."
Well not quite yet, but we have hit the Christmas season once again.
I can fight it no longer.
I have of course been buying presents as and when I am able too, as the family size kind of dictates these cannot be bought in one large swoop, unless I won the lottery!
My children have no close relatives, or close friendship groups, so they only ever receive presents from us.
I feel the pressure. I know their friends will come into school bragging about the wads of cash collected as they visit a multitude of relations over the Christmas season, and feel acutely aware, that good as my children are, the present buck, so to speak, stops with us.
It is always a hard line to draw. Not too over spend, however not to make them feel that because of our family size, they come off worse than anyone else (in their eyes, that is. Starting to draw comparisons with the third world isn't helpful on Christmas morning I have found).
Christmas is the one time, I do spend quite a lot on the children, because , I hate to admit it, it is a special time of year and I do want them to enjoy it, and like it or not, at this time material possessions do matter to some of them.

Well, I thought I spent a lot, until that is, I was talking to some of my students and I realised that I actually spent comparatively next to them!
I have often been asked if I had a smaller family size would I infact spend more. I doubt it.
I was brought up in quite an austere setting, as both my parents came from hard working , but quite low income (well in my dad's case poor, backgrounds). As an only child they did not want to spoil me so I was bought 'sensible' things. There came a point in my childhood where I really wanted things that were not sensible and we clashed. After my father died, my mum could not afford much, the presents were less, but at least what I wanted, rather than what I needed. It did however bring me up with a healthy disreguard for over indulgence of any kind!
We try to have a balance at Christmas between 'wants' and 'needs'. Sometimes the two are the same, a mobile phone is a good example of this.
Here are a few of the fun and the practical things each child receives:

• Pyjamas
• DVD
• CD
• Books
• Stationary
• Christmas socks
• Christmas pants
• Under wear
• Sweets
• Felt pens and glitter pens
• Stickers
• Jewellery
• bath stuff
• Makeup
• Hair bits and bobs

Obviously these things vary depending on the child's sex and age.

The good thing about being a large family is they can all enjoy each others DVD's and CD's and books. The girls often share and swop the clothes and so it feels like they have more than infact they have.

On top of this, they are encouraged to choose one or two larger items. For the younger ones this is often lego and games and for the older ones it has been mobile phones, DVD players, and music devices, clothes or money for clothes in the sales.

We have sometimes been very stretched for money and sometimes have had a bit more over the years. It is amazing what you can buy with very very careful planning, a lot of trekking around and scanning the internet for the best deals. You can actually not have to spent a fortune all of the time.

If the children want/need a large item, such as a laptop, bike etc, then they have to have this as a joint present for their birthday and Christmas combined.

We have also bought smaller presents for them all, but bought a large one for the family, such as our large trampoline one year, swings set, and wii and games. This allows you to spent less but buy an item they will all get pleasure from.

To be able to afford Christmas, is a question I am often asked. I have to put money aside each month and I also do extra marking for GCSE RE during the summer months to pay for this, as well as our summer holiday. It is some what frustrating when people assume we just rely on benefits when infact sometimes we can both have two or three jobs.

I have always felt, as much as I can, and without spoiling the children, that I do not want them to feel hard done by for being part of a large family. Most of the time I am sure they see all the benefits of being one of many, however Christmas is a time I like them to feel more individual as well.

I put hours and hours into buying the right things, unusual things and making things for them. I love to watch them on Christmas Day, for me that is the most pleasurable part, playing their new games with them, snuggling down with them watching DVD's and silly TV and sharing in their special day. Christmas, really is so much more fun with children, lots of children!!!!