Is it cruel to give my kids practical presents?

[hidinginthenightgarden]

Like most kids, mine have too much stuff they don’t play with. I’m really keen on not adding to that pile. For my daughters birthday (turning 4) I want to get her some play doh and a bath toy, and then a bean bag she can put all her soft toys inside and a canopy to make a nice quiet corner in her room, a new dress and maybe some flashing sketchers. Am I being a bit harsh? All this stuff will get used and she will get enjoyment from them but mostly they aren’t “toys”. Other family members will get her toys.

They sound like great presents.

@screamanger

Not to derail, but what exactly does a fifteen year old need an axe for?

RedCowboyBoots

To split firewood

We often buy practical. Even got DD a new duvet cover for her third birthday She had a doll too. I don't usually spend more than £50 and she's not used to OTT presents. Also bought her a cath kidston bag for a birthday.

I got my 6yo a new bike helmet. She loved it.
We also often wrap up any new ski gear they require as Christmas presents.

DD8 would love an axe but not getting her one quite yet (she is getting quite good at splitting logs UNDER SUPERVISION).

Those are all nice things!

Buying school uniform for birthday = harsh
Otherwise: fine!

You are giving a considerably greater number of presents than I would, and they all sound fine to me.

I try to avoid utterly utilitarian presents, but there's nothing wrong with practical/useful.

The rhyme that lots of Mners hate but I quite like is
Something you want
Something you need
Something to wear
Something to read

No toys mentioned.

Presents should be things you want, not things you need, giving things you need as presents, totally muddies the waters, what happens when you need something and there's no occasion, do you not get it?

A gift is not simply unappreciated simply because it's practical, but giving something as a gift that you would need to be provided with anyway is - you don't buy your husband a new hoover for his birthday (unless he wants one of course).

If a practical things is needed, give it whenever it's needed, give a few things they actually want as presents.

Both my kids get practical presents. But I also try to get my 7yo some 'fun' stuff too - no small child dreams of getting a winter coat for their birthday, whether that's what they need or not! My teenager usually gets majority practical stuff now anyway as he's not into toy now and usually has a long list of specific thing he wants or need. So he gets what he's asked for.

@Screamanger

Did you get a digger for your 17th?

Did you get a digger for your 17th?

No, I think it was car parts