To not buy my 2 yr old DD anything (new) for her birthday and to give a gift I've had stashed in the loft for ages?!

[pipkin35]

I really feel we shouldn?t buy her anything for her birthday. From ages ago, I bought a few toys that I haven?t dished out to the kids yet. One of these is a medical doctors set.

So, I was going to give that to her but I feel a bit weird about it!

Is that stupid?! She?s not expressed any interest in that kind of play, am sure she?ll enjoy it eventually but I really feel like I should buy her something that she?s really into ? but hey! She?s 2?.and we're broke.

There's nothing more I like than buying stuff for the kiddies but we've just moved house and...so why do I feel guilty about it?!

[peanutbutterkid]

DD got an ice cream for her 2nd birthday. Nothing else from us and not much from elsewhere.
She was thrilled by the ice cream.
Modern society is way too materialistic.

[marvinmonkey]

I think there's a balance to be had - if you have a doubt as to whether you should, then I think the answer may be just to save up a little earlier / longer.

[Insomnia11]

I was in awe at your longevity there for a moment lawnm01 :)

[ChippingInMistressSteamMop]

Make the most of it while she's still little :)

One year my friend was as broke as a broke thing (before I knew her) and she didn't have any friends or family near by... all alone with her 2 small kids. When they were 2 & 4, she was desperate... (I wish I had known her then! :( ) ... she wrapped up some of their toys in newspaper and made a cake and blew up some balloons left over from something ... they had so much fun unwrapping them, they didn't know it was 'wrong' to get your old toys wrapped up!? they both had lots of fun... and they shared the day, even though their birthdays are 10 days apart

It's what you make it.... x

[Lawm01]

Oops, I meant DD (2yrs). Not 92yrs.

[PiousPrat]

"I say do it while you can before they start reading the catalogue and making a list, or wanting Wiis and DSs."

I very much agree. At 2 you are in that wonderful stage before pester power and advertising have fully kicked in, so enjoy it while you can!

I'm not sure if I should be smug or ashamed that my 2 (10 & 11) don't give me huge long expensive lists for Xmas like all their friends do. I'd like to think that its because I have raised them to not be materialistic and to understand the value of the pound, but it could just as easily be that they are so fed up of hearing "I can't afford it" that they have been beaten into submission by it I'm sticking with the smug, because it makes me feel better.

[Lawm01]

We've done this.
We went completely loopy before Christmas and bought far too much stuff. Wrapped it, put it under the tree and everything.
Come Christmas morning, DD 92yrs) was surrounded by tat and couldn't be bothered to open any more. So I secreted it away, still wrapped.
Gave some of it back to her for her birthday (March), but still have a stash ready for next Christmas (or giving as birthday pressies to friends etc).
I'm determined to stop buying her stuff now, just because it looks lovely or 'she'd love it', or 'its educational'. or she's going to grow into a horrid spoilt brat.

[Insomnia11]

I say do it while you can before they start reading the catalogue and making a list, or wanting Wiis and DSs.

That said, my 5 year old made a list last Christmas and it still came to less than £50. She wanted a magic set (£10) a chemistry set (£20) a makeup set (£5, one of those Miko Cat things from Boots), a top hat (£5 for a sparkly novelty one on Amazon) and a wand (99p).

[Insomnia11]

I can never understand why people ask you how much you spend on your (especially very little) kids at Christmas and are all when you say "About £20 - a book and a DVD".

[pipkin35]

Cheers gals - lovely.
My brain knew it was in the right, but my heart strings got all gooey and girly...but DS has a toolbox kit he loves and she's always tryin to hit him over the head with it so she can do the same with her medical kit - will never feel guilty about the issue again, and will from now on be buying al future birthday and xmas pressies int he sales.
Ace.

[jellybeansontoast]

She doesn't know it's not been bought specially and it's still brand new. I think she'll love it, but be prepared to be feigning injuries for the next month so she can cut off your circulation with bandages make it better.

[ForeverNamechanging]

Of course that's fine! I buy lots of toys in the sale then stash them in the shed for birthdays or holidays ect

[Ragwort]

Pefectly sensible - we gave my DS some of my DH's old board games from the 1970s for his 8th birthday - he thought they were great (vintage ).

Don't feel 'guilty' about not spending on your children, that is how so many people get into debt (just wait for the 'how much do you spend on your DC'c Christmas present threads ).

[FollowMe]

Sounds fine to me. I gave my 3 yr old a toy for his 3rd birthday that I'd had in my wardrobe for about 2 yrs, having bought it in the sale originally for DS1 and then never gave it to him!
He loved it!

[alarkaspree]

I think a doctor's set is a perfect present for a 2 year old. Don't feel guilty for a second.

[gemmummy]

sounds fine to me, she won't have a clue anyway. don't waste your cash.

[AMumInScotland]

YANBU - at 2 she'll probably enjoy the wrapping paper and the box just as much as the toy anyway, don't waste money when you're broke just to buy something different.