Hello!

The holidays already have me stressed as a first time mom and I am looking for some advice.

My son is my in laws for grandson but they have three granddaughters from my husbands brother. His kids are 3, 4, and 9. The past four christmases I have seen that my in laws spoil these girls to the max when it comes to Christmas. They also expect that every thing they get go home with the parents even if they don’t have the room for a bunch of unnecessary toys.

I have spoken to my husband about our families traditions and that I would like them to stay the way they are. Essentially, “santa” gets all of the credit and the big gifts come from him. Parents of course get a lot too. Then grandparents will get one or two things. My parents have 16 grandchildren all togethor so they of course also can not afford to spoil every child to the max. They usually get amusement park passes for the family or a trampoline, or something all the kids can share. My family is also lower income, while my husbands is higher. My husband has told his parents that he doesn’t want them to outdo Santa(us). Yet, the other day we were visiting and his dad was talking about all the things he has gotten my son. A power wheel being one of them… he is 4 months old. So we will have to store items for YEARS. And my husband reminded his father not to outdo us and that we wanted to do the shopping and gifts, and grandparents get a grandparent sized gift. I have sent my mother in law every item that we are getting him so they know how much/how big of everything because I knew this would happen. My father in law proceeded to say, “why he’s not going to remember it anyways”. I know he will not remember it but the point is if they start now, they will continue it every year. Plus the fact that he completely ignores my husbands requests. I am stressed at the fact that going to my in laws Christmas morning will involve them outdoing us and my parents as my sons other grandparents, even when we politely asked them not to and simply want to keep it a tradition of Santa gets the best toys. What should I do? Say?