To despair at the garish, noisy, plastic tat

[Plateofcrumbs]

First Christmas with PFB and until now have managed to keep our toy collection small and free from plastic eyesores. PILs have gone to town on presents and we are now the 'proud' owners of all kinds of light-up, flashing, beeping, singing plastic monstrosities.

AIBU to want to bin the vtech and its ilk before DS gets near them?

[EhricJinglingHisBallsOnHigh]

Yeah good luck with that

[Alisvolatpropiis]

I think you'd be fighting a losing battle, in all honesty.

[Sleepyfergus]

Unless you plan to prevent PFB ever going to toddler groups, other peoples houses, nursery/ child minder, your anti plastic tat campaign will be in vain! I agree, a lot is cheap and awful, but some of it isn't that bad you know! Some of it is actually quite fun....

[Rollercola]

What don't you like about them?

[SaucyJack]

Do you have any decent reason at all to object to them, or is it all just disgusting tedious snobbery?

[Plateofcrumbs]

Ah good plan sleepyfergus I will isolate DS from the world then I can live in the interiors magazine glossy photo spread of my dreams, whilst we listen to classic music and partake in enriching educational experiences with our selection of toys whittled from wood and hand-stitched in organic felt.

nobody burst my bubble

[MmeMorrible]

Oh get over yourself. They aren't into the plastic tat for that long. Just let go and enjoy it with them!

[minipie]

Give them a trial period of a month or two. If your DS doesn't show interest then sure, give them away. If he enjoys them then why would you get rid? Is your tasteful decor really more important than seeing your DS happy and fascinated...?

Appreciate the noise is annoying but the sound can generally be switched off or batteries removed and the toy is still fun.

[spinduchess]

You've just got be happy that someone loves your DS enough to buy him presents. Lots of kids don't get that.

[JavelinArse]

YANBU to despair at the plastic tat but you would be V unreasonable to bin it!

I had similar views to yours when my pfb was tiny, ten years (and another baby) later, I have given up stressing about gifts. Just be grateful there are people that care about your child enough to spend money on all of that plastic tat.

[Inkspellme]

unfortunately the toys the kids love and the toys you would like them to love don't always match. see if your child likes the new toys and yes be grateful that your relatives wanted to buy something nice for your child.

[Plateofcrumbs]

This wasn't supposed to be an entirely serious thread - although I will confess I'm a bit of a design snob and it does make my heart sink a little.

DS's favourite toy if the day was a very cool retro racing car so I can only hope he's inherited my sophistication

[crumblebumblebee]

I hate the plastic 'tat' snobbery. Someone loves your child enough to spend money on him and want to see him happy, be grateful for that!

[Mrsgrumble]

I think I am we are facing a losing battle !! I am a fan of minimalism and interior mags but I wouldn't change the house being overrun with toys for the world

I have two very close in age and everyone says it goes so quickly, little baby adored all the lights, shaking all dancing teddies and the like. The plastic fisher price shape sorter inventor should be arrested ! ;)

I have a big expedit unit upstairs and a few wicker storage baskets downstairs so it all looks fairly tasteful by night time

In a few years we will complain that their iPads and phones are so small wrapped up

[Mrsgrumble]

I don't think op is trying to be a snob

I get it !

It's like the follow on milk advert with the pure white linen - the real world isn't like that

[EnglishGirlApproximately]

I understand op. My dad asked what he should get Ds for xmas so I suggested a lovely wooden play kitchen. I now have a huge plastic play kitchen in my living room! I haven't put the batteries in yet... Obviously Ds LOVES it and has spent the day playing with that and his vtech toot toot noisy bloody cars. I am grateful if course button my head we live in a beautiful house with Ds in cream linen, me sipping tea from a China mug whilst doing educational crafts...

[Workrelatedquestion]

Jesus. People are so worthy.

Why can't she dislike plastic tat? Landfill? I certainly do. Makes my heart sink.

My house is a white, clean lines, mid century tranquil space. The plastic tat ruins it.

End of.

I don't throw it out.....immediately. I always wait 3/4 weeks.

[Enjorasdream]

'I hope he has inherited my sophistication'.
If you were that sophisticated you wouldn't lower yourself to sneer in such an ugly manner.

[MrsMarcJacobs]

V tech makes quite good stuff. Wait a while before you do the toy cull.

[Sparklingbrook]

We have teens now. Believe me I am wistful for the plastic tat days.

[Rollercola]

Whatever you do please don't bin it, if you can't bear it in your house please donate it to a charity to distribute to families who can't afford anything for their children. They will love them (as, I'm sure, would your own, although I appreciate that they don't go with your decor)

[Sparklingbrook]

Well said Roller.

[Pengyquin]

I hear you OP!

I've managed to avoid it

Give them 3-4 weeks..see what they play with, get rid of anything else.

TBH, imo, kids receive far too many gifts. Spoilt is an understatement, and it's this type of plastic tat that is to blame. Cheap, so people opt for quantity over quality.

My DD received 6 gifts, DS baby son 5. All of them were played with. The house did not look a mess. DD (2) was very excited and v grateful. I know it's unrealistic that I can keep this minimal approach up as they get older, but I can ensure they get (for eg) a quality art pack as opposed to a 100+pens tat pack from Asda!

[Thelovecats]

I will admit to disliking v tech and the like-kids don't actually play with them for that long because there's little opportunity for open ended play, and I often find the batteries corrode quite quickly too.

Not all plastic is bad though- it's easily cleanable and durable. Why don't you suggest collections they can add to for future birthdays, e.g. Lego or playmobil? The playmobil 123 is fab for little ones especially.