Along with my comment below; if we did receive gifts for the children that needed a few more years to be ready for we just waited for them to play with them. These were games that required a bit more dexterity and ability to understand the concepts, and the fine motor skills to play with the toys.

We had a few rules for safety reasons – my eldest wears cochlear implants and there was the odd thing that was just not safe (or sometimes usable) for him. We let people know about that. Otherwise not really – if someone gave the kids something unsuitable it was usually too old for them, and I just put it away for six months.

No not really. Maybe when they were young but they’re teenagers now.

Not a problem I’ve had yet… although he just received lego that isn’t age appropriate. I’ve made it with him now, any left over small bits I’ve put into a zip lock bag and I’ll keep an eye on how he plays with it. There’s a bunch of things I wouldn’t buy him, but I’ve anyway trained him to not expect things from mum. I’ll buy him experiences!

I never said anything and thought we could handle it if something came our way but one year our son received 4 nerf guns and was keen to get right into them
We had always wanted to avoid guns as we were raised without them but it was to difficult so we instead made them a ‘target’ game – no shooting at people

I don’t have too many rules with gifts, I just ask they be age appropriate safety wise. I don’t want my toddler getting toys with tiny pieces that I then have to heavily supervise them being in the same room. Other family members ask that their kids don’t receive loud toys that have flashing lights

We have never had a ‘no’ list for gifts. Everyone in our lives has a pretty good idea of what we and our children like. We have not ever received presents that were in anyway offensive or went against our beliefs. We have always been keen to have open minds about gifts.

No, we never really had problems like that somehow. Our kids loved Nerf guns and we we’re against them. I think if you do you have to just bring it up in general conversation with those that may be buying them presents “I’ve told the kids they are not allowed guns. If it is a birthday party gift then quietly donate it.

I was always asked what my child would like and the answer was always ‘books’ so we often received a voucher to a bookshop, which was very welcome. The only thing I remember receiving that wasn’t suitable was a piece of clothing in the wrong size and fortunately I was also given the receipt and we were able to exchange it for a bigger size.