A mother reflects on whether her clever way of managing gifts for her kids is a genius idea or morally questionable.

A mother has sparked debate over a gift-giving method she’s been using with her children, wondering if it makes her a “terrible person” or a “genius.” Elizabeth Longshaw shared her approach on TikTok, asking her followers for their opinions on whether her hack is controversial or just an innovative way of managing gifts.

In the video, Longshaw explained that she and her husband buy gifts for their children throughout the year, usually during sales or at garage sales. These gifts are stored in a bin in their basement until Christmas or their kids’ birthdays, to avoid the stress of last-minute shopping. However, Longshaw admitted to a mix-up that has left her questioning her method.

Last year, her daughter had a large birthday party with ten kids, and received multiple gifts from friends, family, and relatives. Overwhelmed by the number of presents, Longshaw put half of them away in the same bin where she and her husband had been storing their pre-purchased gifts. While wrapping the presents for her daughter’s birthday, she realised she couldn’t remember which gifts were from her and which were from other people.

“I’m wrapping up this gift and I’m like: ‘Did we buy her this, or did her friend Chloe?’” she said in the video, holding up a puzzle. “I don’t remember… I’m just going to put ‘from mom and dad’ on it, even though it might not be from us. What do you think?”

Longshaw posed the question to her viewers: “Does this make me a terrible person, or is this a genius gifting hack for kids who get too much?” The video quickly gained traction, amassing over a million views, with many commenters offering their support or sharing their own thoughts.

While some viewers found the idea clever, others warned that it may only work while the children are young and don’t remember who gave them each gift. “She’s three, so it’s fine,” one commenter wrote, while another noted, “Once they remember, they remember!”

Several followers suggested ways to keep track of who the gifts are from in future years. One commenter recommended using a sticker system to mark presents from specific people, while another proposed rotating the gifts once the children get older, so they’re not overwhelmed by too many toys at once.

Despite the mixed opinions, Longshaw’s video has sparked a wider conversation about the pressures of gift-giving and managing presents for young children. While some see it as a smart, practical solution, others raise questions about the ethics of taking shortcuts when it comes to holiday traditions.