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Original poster

DD's 7th birthday - just one (expensive) present

43 replies

Florencenotflo · 03/01/2023 13:32

I'd like opinions please. Dd is 7 in a couple of weeks. We've bought her a kindle fire, something she's wanted for a while. I got it in the Black Friday sales so while it was cheaper, it was over £100. She's also having a party.

I think that's enough. We've just had Christmas, she'll have presents from all of our family and friends. DH thinks just having one present to open from us will mean she's disappointed. I think at 7 she's more than old enough to start understanding that there is not an endless supply of money.

We would usually get her a main present and a few smaller things, but still only spend what we have on the kindle. I don't think we should be buying her more stuff just so there is more to open!!

Dd is generally a lovely kid, not demanding or spoilt in the slightest, so I think DH is underestimating her ability to understand.

What would you do?

OP posts:
JustMeNameChanger · 03/01/2023 13:34

I think one main present is absolutely fine, but both opinions are valid. Can she get one or two super cheap extras - a magazine and a big bar of chocolate maybe?

ApolloandDaphne · 03/01/2023 13:37

I think that is fine. Maybe give her a budget to buy some books for it too?

coodawoodashooda · 03/01/2023 13:37

I think it's unfair. You could easily get her a few extra unexpected treats to bulk it out without spending too much.

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fairlygoodmother · 03/01/2023 13:38

I agree with you but it depends a little on how many presents she will get from other people. 7 is still young enough to get excited about just having things to open. If she won’t be getting too many other presents I’d get her a few cheap/useful things, e.g. fun socks or foods that you don’t usually have (squirty cream?)

Coffeellama · 03/01/2023 13:41

I’d buy her a few other bits. She might be old enough to understand but birthdays are fun and exciting as a kid and plenty of adults would be a tiny bit disappointed with 1 thing to open, especially such a sensible present even if she will enjoy it. If your DH wants to buy her a few extra bits you’d be unfair to stop him really.

Coffeellama · 03/01/2023 13:41

To add I do mean cheap little things, not more big presents obviously.

MoreTeaLessCoffee · 03/01/2023 13:44

I'm another who'd buy her a few cheap bits. You're not wrong but I don't think her birthday is the day to hammer home the principle. Treat her and use the rest of the year to help her understand budgeting.

WhatIsThisPlease · 03/01/2023 14:13

I couldn't have given either of my DC one present for their 7th birthday.

It would have felt so mean. Surely you can think of a few stocking fillers - or whatever the birthday equivalent is - so she can have a few more presents to open?

redskydelight · 03/01/2023 14:17

No one right answer here.

In our house, on birthdays you tend to get one more expensive gift. Or you might get 2 medium sized gifts. You certainly wouldn't have lots of things to open ,or small things "just because".

If your DC is more used to something different, then you need to manage her expectations (ideally in advance).

So I think your plan is fine. If she's having a party, won't she gets loads of presents from her guests anyway?

SalviaOfficinalis · 03/01/2023 14:19

I’d get a few other things to open - chocolate/ sweets / socks / stationery/ whatever.

Even though it’s a great present it’s still nice to have some birthday treats.

Allsnotwell · 03/01/2023 14:19

I also add things they need - new clothes or hair bobbles, books or something cheap.

If your DH is so keen he can go and buy things for her.

highdrylowerwetter · 03/01/2023 14:20

I'd buy her another few cheap bits definitely

SparkleSpangle · 03/01/2023 14:21

I think the fact you said "we've just had Christmas" makes me think that if her birthday was in June you would be getting her more. Therefore I think you are penalising her for having the misfortune of being born near Christmas.

SchoolNightWine · 03/01/2023 14:22

It's not her fault her birthday is so soon after Christmas, so that shouldn't be used to justify less presents.

I couldn't give my 7 year old just one present. At that age it's so easy to add cheap, extra presents - stationery, crafts, bubble bath, hair accessories, etc.

Gingerlygreen · 03/01/2023 14:22

My dd was 7 last year and had chosen a present which I bought along with 2 little surprises, I still remember her face when she saw, she looked crestfallen.
She's such a lovely person and was really thankful bit I could see she was disappointed and there's no way I'm doing the same this year.

I won't go over the top but will definitely get her more to open.

SchoolNightWine · 03/01/2023 14:23

SparkleSpangle · 03/01/2023 14:21

I think the fact you said "we've just had Christmas" makes me think that if her birthday was in June you would be getting her more. Therefore I think you are penalising her for having the misfortune of being born near Christmas.

As someone with a birthday near Christmas, I totally agree with this!

icefishing · 03/01/2023 14:24

I would get her a few bits, maybe things like hair bobbles, a book allowance for the kindle and some sweets.
It really isn't her fault her birthday is just after Xmas.
My DB has a birthday now as well and says it is a crap time for one.
Everyone has spent their money, is bored of celebrating and wants to get back to normal life.

2chocolateoranges · 03/01/2023 14:27

I would get a few cheap things to bulk it out, eg a cover for it, pencils for school, sweets etc.

AriettyHomily · 03/01/2023 14:29

I'd get a few small bits too, it's crap having a birthday bear Christmas

Tamarindtree · 03/01/2023 14:29

You could get things that aren’t toys such as novelty socks, sparkly pen, novelty mug, packet of sweets etc all very cheap from places like pound ships, home bargains, B&M or supermarkets such as Asda.

Original poster
Florencenotflo · 03/01/2023 14:29

Ok, I'll be going shopping Saturday then! 🤣

I get the point about having a birthday near Christmas, I'm not intentionally penalising her but we're already overflowing with 'stuff'. We have a huge and very generous family. But she got bags of hair bands, bath bombs, books, make up, nail varnish as well as lots of more expensive things too. It's really hard to think of extra bits that won't just add to that.

I'll have a think.

OP posts:
VenusClapTrap · 03/01/2023 14:30

Seven is still little. I’m not one to go overboard with presents, but even I’d get her a couple of other little bits. Not pointless junk, but something small to open like fluffy socks or a pack of pens.

NYresolutions23 · 03/01/2023 14:32

I personally couldn't give just one gift.
Id get some pjs, bed socks, books, a game to go with it.

I have my youngests birthday coming up. We got a bike. Then helmet, couple of pack hot wheels, pjs, monster jam vehicle and pawpatrol vehicles as just a bike would be crap. Especially if raining and cant go out on it.

Aurorabored · 03/01/2023 14:40

’But she got bags of hair bands, bath bombs, … make up, nail varnish’

Has she got a sparkly make up case for all that?
Amazon
Claire’s

MuggleMe · 03/01/2023 14:44

For me it depends if she'll have presents from family to open on the morning of her birthday with the kindle or will have to wait. A helium balloon and some chocolate or something, perhaps some new clothes would be great.