If it looks like we have a lot of gifts under the tree, you have to remember that in the month of December, I basically wrap anything I would’ve bought anyhow – dish soap, shampoo, the empty box for the slippers I bought because I needed them in September – and use those things to fill out the tree so it looks more impressive than it actually is.
Usually the kids are so focused on what they’re getting (where we also use tricks like wrapping gifts that might normally go together in separate packages – a PJ set of tops and bottoms? Two gifts! A two-pack of storage containers for your room? Lucky you – two more gifts!), that they don’t notice that dad is getting a lot of toiletries (or they just interpret it as “They don’t get toys so now they get toothpaste?” adult weirdness they don’t understand.)
Anyhow, Merry Christmas from our house to yours!