To not buy ds a football strip for christmas?

[cuntycowfacemonkey]

He had one for his favourite team for his birthday but it was the 14/15 strip and now he wants the the 15/16 strip. I think he has only asked for it because some gobby sod at school has passed comment a couple of times on him not having the latest strip. DS is very sensitive and painfully aware of who is cool at school and feels very much that he is not

It's an expensive item to buy for christmas and I don't feel happy buying it just because ds thinks it will make him popular with the "cool" kids BUT I remember being the kid with the fake NAFNAF jacket off the market at school and how crap that can be. That said DS does alright and certainly has a lot more than some.

So what would you do? On the one hand I want to get him it because I remember what it was like at school but on the other hand I would like him to be a bit more resilient and not give a shiny shit what others think and it's just life isn't it that someone will always have more than you do?

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

If he won't wear the old one,,I'd buy him a new one,,if it's within budget for his present, rather than just an additional present you ferl pressurised to buy. These things matter (not always, but sometimes).

[MsJamieFraser]

If its a team he supports then tbh yes I would, new kits come out every year, my ds1 is football mad, loves his local tea, signed by his local academy, and loves all football really, he gets his strip every year, and then he gets about 5-10 new strips from different teams, mainly Spanish teams.

tbh, wanting the cool things, and getting the in things, are what most kids what, they dont want to be the odd one out.

[cece]

DS2 has the new strip 15/16. It is his main present though as he wanted the shirt, shorts and socks plus personalisation. However, he really hasn't asked for much else so this year I was happy to get it for him. At least I know he'll wear it - he's pretty much worn out last years strip.

[WiryElevator]

Our DS is very bothered about this kind of thing, has been since he was about 7. He's 12 now and buys his own expensive boots etc. He rarely gets whole strips - just the shirt. The last one he got was a birthday present from GP and was £45.

Some kids have iPhone 6's, XBox Ones. Our DS doesn't. But he has expensive astros, boots and stuff. He plays x 4-5 times a week so they get good use, which makes the eye watering prices a tad more bearable.

[BarbarianMum]

Depends what else he wants, what you've already bought and what you were planning to spend. I think it is fine to buy it if it doesn't put you over budget.

[cuntycowfacemonkey]

Well it won't put me massively over budget although I need to make a list of what I've already got him. I think I'll get it and then in future I'll make him save some birthday money for when the new strip comes out, that way he won't have to wait until christmas and can keep up to date if that's what's important to him

[Leeds2]

I would definitely buy it!

Most clubs, I think, issue a new home kit one season, and a new away kit the following one, so that each kit is "new" for two seasons. Make sure you buy the one that was brought out in the summer, as it will be up to date for longer. Unless he only wants a home kit!

[3rdrockfromthesun]

If he gets any Christmas money - would he be to use it to contribute towards the cost of a new strip. You could also talk to relatives and see if they could contribute? My family has got into the habit of sharing the cost of expensive presents. This year my dad is getting a book from 4 people (expensive book)

[cuntycowfacemonkey]

Ok thank you guys I think I will get it but maybe see if relatives want to club together too. I didn't realise they alternate home and away kits so that's good to know

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

New kit.

[Beth2511]

When he gets really difficult to buy for in a few years strips become a god send :D makes christmas easier for me getting a new strip and very well appreciated!

[BackforGood]

When my dc have wanted something that is more than I would spend especially when I think it's a waste of money I've suggested they ask various relatives that normally get them something, for money instead of a present, so they can put it together to buy whatever it is that is going to cost that much. They have all done it at some point, but it does focus their mind into how much they want a particular thing, rather than just 'fancying it'. Do they want it enough to forgo other possible presents.

[balletgirlmum]

Ds's team brings out a new home & away kit every single season! He has had a new one for the last 3 seasons but he wears them to death. This season he chose the away strip as he preferred it but still wears last Seasons.

I would feel differently if he hardly wore it but I'd prefer him to have 1 £40 football shirt than £40 worth of tat.

[SistersOfPercy]

Have you considered training kit? Tends to stay relevant for longer with some clubs.
Also have a look if they do a retro strip. It's really cool to wear the old shirts and of course they never go out of date. Our prem club has a few and DH buys those rather than the home shirts. Our DS's favourite shirt is from the 92/93 season. I found it in a charity shop and he loves it.

[Norest]

If you are really not sure whether he wants it purely to keep up with the other lads, or if he genuinely wants it for himself, then why don't you sit down with him and ask him? If you think he doesn't really want it? Tell him if he really wants that money spent on a gift just to keep up with the other kids, then you will buy it for him, but ask him to consider what other things he could get which he really wants with that money, and if it is worth losing out on what he really wants just for an image thing?

Maybe talk to him about ways he could build his resilience to peer pressure and feel more secure?

If it is the case that he genuinely wants it then go buy it!