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Original poster

DD3 birthday guilt!

33 replies

StupidUsernameUnavailable · 09/06/2022 16:45

DD3 turns 3 next month.

I've only got her 4 presents (total £70) and feel awful. She will get other bits from family and I'm getting her a big balloon, cake, decorations etc.

But 4 presents?? That's shit isn't it?! I've been so tight the last month or so to pay off credit card which is now done.

We just can't afford anymore 😔 Please tell me I'm being stupid and that she won't care!!

OP posts:
Louise0701 · 09/06/2022 16:47

Would she be that bothered about a big balloon and decorations or is there something she’s asked for that you haven’t got?

4 presents of things she likes / has asked for will be fine but you know your child best.

mug2018 · 09/06/2022 16:47

You are being stupid and she really won't care. She'll remember the 'party' with cake & balloons & love the excitement of opening a parcel or seeing family
She won't for one minute think .. only 3 presents.. just shower her with love ❤️

Needmorelego · 09/06/2022 16:48

How much are you paying for the balloon? They are a waste of money in my opinion (and environmentally bad). If you really feel she needs another present then don't waste money on the balloon and buy an extra gift.
However...4 presents is fine. It's plenty.

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Ragwort · 09/06/2022 16:49

Errr... of course it's not terrible. She won't notice or care .. four lovely presents, plus balloons, a cake and other presents?? In what world do you live in that you think that's 'shit' ? Seriously, don't raise your DD to think that love and affection can be measured in monetary gifts.

Tothepoint99 · 09/06/2022 16:49

StupidUsernameUnavailable · 09/06/2022 16:45

DD3 turns 3 next month.

I've only got her 4 presents (total £70) and feel awful. She will get other bits from family and I'm getting her a big balloon, cake, decorations etc.

But 4 presents?? That's shit isn't it?! I've been so tight the last month or so to pay off credit card which is now done.

We just can't afford anymore 😔 Please tell me I'm being stupid and that she won't care!!

I think a lot of pressure comes from SM to have a mountain of presents. You're overlooking the biggest and best thing which is paying off the credit card! 👏

allfurcoatnoknickers · 09/06/2022 16:50

She won't care. My DS just turned 3, and if you asked him how many presents he got, he wouldn't even know. He was most excited about the cake, the balloons and getting to eat his favorite foods for lunch and dinner.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 09/06/2022 16:52

4 presents isn't shit. £70 is loads.

Will she like her presents?thats the important bit.

Original poster
StupidUsernameUnavailable · 09/06/2022 16:55

She's not talking at the moment so hasn't asked for anything but she keeps saying "ike" everytime she sees one so have got her a balance bike and the rest is peppa pig.

Balloon is free as BF owns her own business 😊

Going to take her to he favourite soft play on the day. I'm hoping next year (after she starts nursery in Sept) she will have more friends so can do a little tea party etc.

I just feel really stingy. I know that's unreasonable, but I just can't explain it!

Thank you all ❤️

OP posts:
Rtmhwales · 09/06/2022 16:59

allfurcoatnoknickers · 09/06/2022 16:50

She won't care. My DS just turned 3, and if you asked him how many presents he got, he wouldn't even know. He was most excited about the cake, the balloons and getting to eat his favorite foods for lunch and dinner.

Agree. Mine turns 4 next week and he's most excited about the balloons and blowing out the cake.

GlitteryGreen · 09/06/2022 17:00

I think 4 presents is fine OP, especially as one of them is a bike!

BlackandBlueBird · 09/06/2022 17:31

It sounds like a brilliant birthday for a 3 year old OP! She will have a ball and a bike is a really big present.

Smartiepants79 · 09/06/2022 17:39

My three year old nephew actually cried when asked to open more than 1 gift. He’d liked the first one so much he didn’t want any of the others!

Sleepingsatellite1 · 09/06/2022 18:12

She sounds like a lucky girl, a lot of children that young get overwhelmed with a surplus of presents anyway.

MarmiteOnToast · 09/06/2022 18:15

4 is fine. But if u really want more gifts maybe £5 worth from poundland. Crayons etc.. But it isn't necessary

MadameDragon · 09/06/2022 18:29

They don’t understand the value of money and they get completely overwhelmed by lots of gifts. I didn’t spend much more than £25 on either of mine when they were three, not because I couldn’t afford it but because it was enough.
Nobody outside the family knows or cares what I bought. It’s fine just to decide for yourself.
It’s not like the kids won’t get the money I didn’t spend, they’ll inherit it one day so nothing to do with being stingy.

alongtimeagoandfaraway · 09/06/2022 18:34

I don’t understand this. As a child we got one present off our parents for our birthday and I only stopped doing the same for my children when they were late teens and didn’t want anything big so I got lots of little things.

one is plenty - surely?

parietal · 09/06/2022 18:35

4 presents is plenty - too many is confusing for the child and can be overwhelming.

suzyscat · 09/06/2022 18:41

Wow a balance bike and some peppa pig stuff! She's going to be so happy.

Quantity is not the path of happiness. You've done fab.

BendingSpoons · 09/06/2022 18:49

At Christmas DS was nearly 3. I bought a second hand train set for £5. I might as well not have got anything else, as that was all he would look at! You have got plenty. They get bored opening presents.

GAW19 · 09/06/2022 18:54

My DD is 3 in a couple of weeks, we are getting her a picnic bench for the garden that is £45.
Other than that she has little things that I have collected over the last few months. Activity books, craft stuff, stickers. All she has asked for is a Pink dress and a pink dinosaur cake. Lucky my stepmum makes cakes so that's sorts Smile
Honestly, she will love anything!

PizzaPatel · 09/06/2022 18:56

My DS is turning 4 and thinks he’s getting 2 presents as I wanted to manage his expectations- he kept saying he wanted things and I didn’t want him to think he was getting all of it.

the only expectation and hope they have at that age is what you set yourself up for

Artwodeetoo · 09/06/2022 18:58

Balloons and a cake is what they'll remember and probably enjoy most! One present is fine.

OperaStation · 09/06/2022 19:02

You think £70 on a 3 year old isn’t enough? No wonder you’ve had trouble paying off credit card debt, you don’t understand the value of money.

grey12 · 09/06/2022 19:03

I would say don't get her used to getting so much!!

My kids only get one present from me 🤷🏻‍♀️ and sometimes a day out (last one was the Frozen musical. It's soooo good!!)

I remember being (older... but still) literally surrounded by presents at Christmas and feeling super embarrassed........ I couldn't even muster a decent smile anymore to thank for so many presents....

WhatsInAMolatovMocktail · 09/06/2022 19:12

that Sounds brilliant - honestly what more could a three yo want (or need)!