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Original poster

Has DH gone overboard for DC's birthday?

116 replies

memblemumble · 21/04/2020 08:23

I'd say so. It'll be her third birthday. DH said he'd pick out the stuff to give me one less thing to think about. He's not clueless and I trust his judgement but I think it's overboard. I suggested saving some for Christmas but he says it's not necessary. He's ordered:

A baby born bottle house with an extra doll
Fishing game
Princess vanity case
Ballerina doll (that moves)
Ballerina costume
Toy till and some accessories to go with it
Toy camera
A fire engine that you sit on and it moves
Some paints
A fur real bunny
Some instrument toys

I'd say that's a bit much and keep 3-4 for Christmas? He says it's not too much but she's only 3?

OP posts:

BasilDiffuser · 21/04/2020 10:59

My family have posted gifts or will drop them at the end of the garden path so she will still have gifts from family.

CanIbesomeoneelse · 21/04/2020 11:09

It’s a lot more than I would buy, but would t blame anyone doing that if they can afford it, especially at the moment. The money I’ve saved by not forming out for soft play etc, my Summer child will prob get many more gift this year, especially if we are still in lockdown.
Happy birthday

DontRockTheB0at · 21/04/2020 11:14

I think it sounds fine, but it’s all relative to what you can afford. I recall we got our DD quite a bit for her 3rd birthday as we had a big clear out of toddler type toys and replaced with dolls ect. We’ve never got quite as much since then and while they are little I doubt they’d remember that one year they had 10 gifts and this year it’s only 5! Sone of them things I buy thought the year such as books and craft/painting/ colouring stuff but I’d still give a birthday gifts too. It’s not like she can see friends or go to playgroup at the moment so a few extra gifts (so long as you can afford it) is fine. It won’t spoil her.

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sundaymorningfeeling · 21/04/2020 11:16

Sounds perfect to me

TiredofSM · 21/04/2020 11:21

I feel so tight reading this! My children get to chose one thing for their birthday. I figure they get so much from family and friends, I’d never do a list like this. Even in lockdown.

MrsWooster · 21/04/2020 11:24

Far too much. One ‘thing’, regardless of cost-one year ds got xbox, one year a (admittedly fancy) nerf gun- and a token present-new clothes for a doll, small Lego kit. Also something like board game from gp’s, stuffed animal or game from auntie. We are building kids’ expectations too high, IMO.

baubled · 21/04/2020 11:25

That's about the same as we would do here - I get joy out of giving and my 3 year old definitely loves receiving!

Nixen · 21/04/2020 11:27

Sounds fine, for those saying she’ll be overwhelmed, no one says she has to play with everything at once?

strawberry2017 · 21/04/2020 11:29

It's her birthday, she won't be getting a party and she's stuck at home. That's not to much at all. Don't be party poopers

Mucklowe · 21/04/2020 11:33

That's way too much. Why not just one gift? That's all anyone needs really.

ScarfLadysBag · 21/04/2020 11:35

Well technically no one 'needs' any gifts. But birthdays are about 'wants'. I don't have any issue with people who only buy one present, but we can afford to and want to buy more for our DC so we do. Other people will spend money other places that I wouldn't 🤷‍♀️ There's no right or wrong, as long as you can afford it.

Maxineputyourredshoeson · 21/04/2020 11:39

Just my 2 cents worth but you asked your DH to chose and buy DD’s birthday presents, he’s done so and now you think he maybe wrong for what he’s purchased? If it were me I’d leave it, he’s bought a nice selection of gifts and, birthdays at the moment are slightly different.

My youngest DD had her birthday recently and yes, we bought slightly more than what I would normally, but she has missed out on the trips we had planned etc.

FabbyChix · 21/04/2020 11:48

I think it’s fine other than the real fur bear

ScarfLadysBag · 21/04/2020 11:49

I think it's Fur Real, which is a brand of soft toy. Not a bear made of real fur.

CatteStreet · 21/04/2020 11:51

More than I would have bought, particularly at that age where overwhelm sets in quickly (but my teens still don't get that 'many' presents).

Thoroughly enjoying the competitive worthiness on this thread, mind you. 'No books? Tut tut.' 'Oh, books aren't presents in this house, they're essentials'. 'Yes, for us too. They get them whenever they like.' Nice to be able to afford that! (I say this as someone who can, and who has a dreadful children's book habit - they get them as presents and through the year - but not a great comment for someone to read whose budget doesn't stretch to 'essential' books weekly and whose local library closed in the last round of cuts).

ScarfLadysBag · 21/04/2020 11:52

I don't really get the thing about books not being gifts. I buy books for myself all year round, as do my parents, but we also buy books for each other for birthdays and Christmas. I used to always get books as presents as a child too, in addition to the books I got year-round. The two aren't mutually exclusive and yes it's a bit virtue signally to pretend otherwise.

perniciousdot · 21/04/2020 11:56

I think it’s fine other than the real fur bear

Fur real bunny. No real fur. No bears.

Rebelwithallthecause · 21/04/2020 12:16

Agree Scarfladysbag - if they are shown to be something that is only essential rather than a lovely gift too it surely takes part of the pleasure away?

I want my DC to enjoy reading so make it as fun as possible. Learning books won’t be gifts but lovely books and fun books to be treasured van always be nice gifts.

Original poster

memblemumble · 21/04/2020 12:23

My point wasn't really whether he'd done a good job picking stuff out- I think he has and it's lovely what he's done. I'm simply wondering if I should've put a few aside for Christmas.

OP posts:

WTFdidwedo · 21/04/2020 12:26

Mucklowe that s a bit of a bizarre thing to say. We only need a certain amount of food a day but I still snack. I only wear one set of clothes at a time but I still have a wardrobe full. I don't need to watch Netflix, Prime and Sky but I still have them etc etc.

JasonPollack · 21/04/2020 12:27

That's way too much. Why not just one gift? That's all anyone needs really.

Why not no gifts and just the birthday bumps?

Have a word with yourself you joyless fuck.

Mumofaboyandmanbaby · 21/04/2020 12:29

Usually my son gets one toy and a trip so it would seem a lot BUT, we are in lockdown, she won't be getting lots of presents off friends and family so it seems like the right amount to keep her busy and happy over the next few weeks!

Gwynfluff · 21/04/2020 12:37

Got 3 kids - older now - just boggling at books are ‘essentials’ that are ‘bought as needed’. Honestly, as needed. Though I suppose you could be getting them second hand.

It’s ok if there are no other presents due, I agree. Otherwise might put till away for Xmas.

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 21/04/2020 12:47

I think it's an insane amount of stuff! I'd probably give one or two out of that list.

heartsonacake · 21/04/2020 12:52

I think that list is fine; it’s a pretty average amount of stuff.

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