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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to buy my DDs beds for Christmas

141 replies

cathkidstonbag · 28/10/2011 07:04

3 DDs, all of them will be sort of in need of new bed in the next year or so (eg youngest needs to move from junior to single etc) and a few weeks ago they all said they'd like Father Christmas to get them new beds this year!
I actually think its a good idea - we're already changing traditions and staying home for Christmas day this year and they have more than enough stuff! I could imagine them talking about "the year we all got beds" when they are adults and obviously I'd get them new duvets, cushions etc.
DH thinks its an awful idea, children should have toys etc (says the man who doesn't buy or wrap any of it and then moans how many toys they've got!)

So AIBU?

OP posts:
Kayzr · 28/10/2011 12:10

If you DDs want new beds for Xmas then just go for it and ignore people on here.

I got one of those beds which was like a double at the top and a desk and sofa bed underneath for xmas when I was about 11. It still ranks as one of the best presents I have had. I loved it.

glencoco · 28/10/2011 12:12

I got my youngest DD a bed for Christmas (from FC) when she was 5 or 6, she loved it. My mum took her out to the park while it was delivered and I assembled it on 23rd December and I stuck a note on it which said she had to have it early because it wouldn't fit on the sleigh. When she came home I had to wait for her to go upstairs, when she finally did she screamed with joy and phoned all her grandparents and aunts to tell them.
Go for it, it is what they want!

spookygarlic · 28/10/2011 12:17

If they have said that they would like FC to get them each a new bed then YANBU.

SayCoolNowSayWhip · 28/10/2011 12:18

OP - go for it. Beds are a fantastic present, and if it's what they have asked for, why the hell not?

For DD's first birthday (today in fact!) we bought her a new car seat. She needs it, she loves it, it's practical. So what?

Don't see what the problem is. I'd LOVE a bed for Christmas.

Go for it, OP!

pengymum · 28/10/2011 12:21

I'd go for new beds as a present, rather than more plastic tat any time! They have asked for them and presents are things you would like so why not in my view! One person's interesting gift is another person's boring waste of money! A gift for me is something that gives pleasure to the recipient. Doesn't have to cost anything - could be bunch of flowers picked from the common!

I'd go with some extra bits of nice bedding, cushions etc too but within budget.

My kids get new pjs, slippers, books etc at xmas and birthdays. Anything can be a gift if you haven't had to pay for it yourself! Look at all the food that gets given - and food is an essential!
[hgrin]

TheHumancatapult · 28/10/2011 12:23

Proudfoot if you wish to buy the beds for me then by all means do then I can buy toys for them .

But end if day they need the beds and I can not afford it all.This way they get the beds they want and I don't need to panic how can afford it all

Henwelly · 28/10/2011 12:24

Your children - buy what you like!

FWIW I got a bed one xmas as a child and I was sooo excited, I picked it and the curtains, bedding etc I was very pleased.

However that was quite normal for us, I usually got socks, pants, blank video tapes, bubble bath, clothes, pyjamas and other 'exciting' stuff, along with toys.

This was how my cash strapped mum bumped up the presents - by giving us what others would see as everyday essentials - tbh I just loved opening presents, even the bars of soap my nan used to give us!!

ArtVandelay · 28/10/2011 12:24

Your daughters sound lovely and down to earth :)

Lovethesea · 28/10/2011 12:34

Beds sound a great idea - you are talking about the play areas and room for sleepovers they will get out of them and they'll last a lot longer than most Christmas toys.

Now me, I'm just considering whether to change DD's cotbed to a little bed without bars at Christmas as a treat for her Grin She'll be just 3 then and it won't be her only present of course ......

Tiggles · 28/10/2011 12:38

I think beds are fine as a Christmas present, especially if the kids have asked for them.
My kids always get stuff they need as well as want for Christmas. e.g. every Christmas eve a present will arrive on their bed - early from FC. It will contain a new pair of pyjamas, and if they have grown sufficiently a new dressing gown/slippers, this year they will have new duvet covers and blanket with their pyjamas. It is a tradition they really enjoy, and although they are things they need I spend the extra pound or two to get them a set of PJs/duvet etc with a logo they would like rather than the cheapest basic pair they would get otherwise.

inmysparetime · 28/10/2011 12:38

I got DS a bed a couple of Christmasses ago, to make things worse, It was a free bed too (off freegle). DS was 8 at the time, and loved it! He still boasts to his friends about his "big high bed"
The freegle people gave us a bag of clothes too, so we wrapped those for gifts.

girlywhirly · 28/10/2011 12:43

Absolutely get the DC beds as they have asked for them. What some people fail to see is that beds can have a lot of play value in themselves, especially mid sleepers and ones you can play under. There are bed tents for these, and Ikea do a sort of tunnel that can go over the top of some beds. The DC will be getting bedding that they like, and it is what they want.

Would it actually be better to give them plastic toys that they really don't want, because they "ought to have toys for Christmas"?

AshaBoo · 28/10/2011 13:08

Go for it.

When DD1 was 3 she had a new bedroom for christmas - we had a spare room then, so decorated it and she moved in on Christmas night. Family got the soft furnishings, we got the furniture. We simply could not afford to do a nice bedroom and buy toys. She loved it, but I felt a bit Sad when she was asked what toys she got for christmas and she rightly said 'none'.

Looking back 3 was a bit young to not get any toys Blush

stealthsquiggle · 28/10/2011 16:35

Oh FFS - it is not a crap present - my DD was thrilled with hers (and it was less child-initiated than the OP's DDs - we "steered" her into wanting it) - and yes they need somewhere to sleep, but as the OP has said, the bed of their dreams is not "somewhere to sleep" it's a fabulous, beyond their wildest dreams present.

DH and I are buying each other a new bed for Christmas. So there [sticks tongue out]. And the DC are getting, between them, a trampoline which we managed to get for considerably less than half price.

ouryve · 28/10/2011 16:38

I think it's a fab idea. Specially if it all goes along with a bit of a room makeover for them.

ouryve · 28/10/2011 16:53

DS1(8 by Christmas) is getting bedding for Christmas, this year. It's a lego bedset and far more expensive than I'd usually spend on him. In the same vein, he often gets clothes which cost a bit more than usual and this year I've got him some Sonic the Hedgehog underpants, which will be a treat for him since he loves Sonic and the Mario Brothers and this is his first dry Christmas. He will get some plastic tat, but that's likely to be yet more lego, or maybe some K'nex, which he has been asking for.

Waspie · 28/10/2011 17:03

YANBU. My son is getting bunk beds for his 4th birthday next month. He is absolutely desperate for these bunk beds - picked them himself and chose his new duvet sets and is already planning when his cousin can stay over in the top bunk [hsmile].

If this were a necessity buy, rather than a gift, he would be getting a bed from argos or somewhere, he certainly wouldn't be betting Parisot bunk beds.

Waspie · 28/10/2011 17:04

if only I bothered to preview...

Getting (not betting)

TeWihara · 28/10/2011 17:07

DD got a bed for her 2nd birthday btw, she loves her bed.

careergirl · 28/10/2011 17:14

I think they will love them what a good idea. And they will be presents that will last a very long time and be used every day. Not broken by Boxing Day. You can buy all the bedding too and theme them up - they will love it.

StetsonsAreCool · 28/10/2011 17:20

I wish I came from a background where you only buy/get 'want' presents for christmas Sad

Most of my childhood/teenage birthday and christmas presents were clothes. On more than one occasion I actually got school uniform for my birthday (it's early in the school year). It was only once I got to mid-teens that we started getting fun presents like DVDs.

What's the problem getting someone a present that they'll use? We haven't got money to throw away, all our presents are useful. Like a memory card for the camera, or bookshelves, or god forbid 'posh' towels (i.e. they don't come from Primark)

StetsonsAreCool · 28/10/2011 17:21

Sorry, OP, was getting round to saying yanbu. I think everyone getting a bed is a really nice idea.

HowlingWereWolfBitch · 28/10/2011 17:36

Oh it sounds like a wonderful idea! May I suggest you get a few of these to stick on the big boxes? and lots of ribbon.

ChooChooWowWow · 28/10/2011 18:05

Well obviously it's up to you but it's not something I would do.

IMO beds are something you should provide as a basic need for your children not a treat. Unless your children have asked for those expensive character beds.

Georgimama · 28/10/2011 18:14

If your children want them and you are happy to buy them why on earth would you take any notice of us lot? "Sorry DC I know you really liked the idea of fancy new bedroom furniture for Christmas but a load of people I will never meet off the internet think it is a bad idea so I bought you all this random tat you don't care about instead."

I think you should make them up on Christmas Eve though - tell them father Christmas came early with them because there wasn't room on his sleigh to bring them overnight.