13th birthday help me decide

[Radom]

So our eldest turns 13 soon but due to me not working for 6 months this year we haven’t been able to to as much as we would like for her.She is having a party but due to the place she wanted not available on her birthday that is a week before then her presents I’m taking her shopping two days before the day as she’s off school and our younger ones are not so I have said whatever she buys I will wrap up on give back on the day of her birthday but people have said that’s cruel but I’m worried the day itself is going to be rubbish as everything happening early.We have got her two small presents she doesn’t know about thoughts is it cruel?

[SneakyGremlins]

I don't get why you're taking the things she buys to wrap up? She knows what they are

[Singlenotsingle]

It's not cruel at all. Why is a 13th so important anyway? No doubt the 16th will be a big one, then 18th, then 21st!

She's getting presents and a party ffs! That's fine.

[Radom]

Yeah that why I say is it pointless wrapping them up but at same time will get up to pretty much nothing on the actual day as everything is happening early that’s all x

[Sundance2741]

Can't you have a family tea or film night or something like that on her birthday, with a birthday cake? Maybe just spending time with her doing something she likes to make the day a bit special.

BTW my dd (also 13) always writes a detailed birthday list and usually gets most of it (from wider family as well as us). She still enjoys unwrapping her presents even though she knows more or less what she's getting.

[Radom]

Yeah her birthday is a Sunday and a roast is one of her favourite so probably do that. And yeah we have a big family to so gets a lot but I've always enjoyed unwrapping presents even as you say pretty much know what they are as after a certain age everyone asks what to get or gives money and I've got to say I prefer it when they know you well enough to get you a surprise maybe it's just me?

[Clarabella8]

What you have planned sounds lovely . Our daughters 13 th is coming up and we are not buying her any presents as such , we are instead taking her to stay in a lovely hotel , meal there , pool . Just a special experience and time to spend together . Her friends are busy organising and stresssing over their big parties,and she is going to theirs but does not want this for herself .
I was a bit worried about lack of things to unwrap , so I read on here a tip about filling a box full of small bits , nothing expensive or extravagant, just pits to unwrap really .so I am going to do that and take it along with us .
I have included nail care stuff , chocolate, bath bits , stationery, scented candle, book, American snacks/sweets and framed picture of her dogs with a birthday letter from them .
Should take a while to open but cost very little .
Hope your daughter has a lovely day too .

[Radom]

Thank you clarabelle 8 yours sounds lovely to to be honest I was quite surprised she wanted a party as I thought it was about this age they stopped but I think it's because she's made lots of new friends at senior school she's not had a party with is the reason she's does want one.shes a pretty good girl really she will be surprised we have got her a couple of bits she doesn't know about as is so grateful for what's she's getting because her party is a week early it's has actually fallen on my birthday and when I first told her that was the date available her first response do you mind mom it being on your birthday? So I know it's me but we always wanna make things as special as possible for them as not kids long enough!! Xx