To think that a sledge is a naff Christmas present!

[SaggyoldCHRISTMASHUMBUGcatpuss]

My friend is buying them for her Dcs. I think it's a bit sad to open a present on Christmas morning that you only have a small chance of playing with, and then only for a day or two every year!
(disclaimer, we live in East Anglia, uk, this obviously doesn't apply if you live in Finland, or Canada!)

With some of the weather we've had these few years past it might turn out to be an excellent present.

Although I always worry about Dog shit when i'm making snowmen with the kids in the park :(

If it's not the only present it's probably fine! They will look impressive under the tree

We use to sledge down grassy hills in summer when I was a child which would make them less limited. But I do take your point - a sledge is quite a snow based present

Of course if we get heavy snow and no one can get a sledge for love nor money, her kids are going to be laughing (and getting other kids to pay for a go on their sledges)

YABU to judge your friend on what she buys her kids for Christmas.

Personally I would also be concerned about potential lack of snow though.

molls

I would love have loved a sledge for this christmas when I was a kid.

Agree with Springy!

Unless it's their only present YABU.

Well despite the unpredictable weather. Traditionally Christmas is associated with snow so its not a totally stupid idea. Going by recent years aswell they will get to use it...maybe not untill feb time but atleast they wont be disappointed like my kids were last year when everywhere had sold out of them.

She could take them to a ski hill probably, is there is no natural snow?

*if, not is

You can buy excellent cheap plastic sledges very cheaply so I don't think there is any reason why they couldn't be a supplemenarty present - agree if it's an expensive fancy wooden one and is the main gift - a tad pointless.

However, if the snow has been and gone by Christmas day then it would be frustrating to be given a sledge so I would not save it for Christmas but give it to them as soon as enough snow makes an appearance.

Living in East Anglia, I would be more concerned about the lack of hills than the possible lack of snow.

I got my two sledges for Christmas last year and had to give them to them the week before because of all that snow. Never even got a chance to wrap them.

Get sledges anyway because once it snows (if it does) there are none to be had.

DS is getting a balance bike for Christmas, if it snows he won't be able to use it straight away (funnily enough I don't have a ball room he can ride around in...).

I think if they get something else (which they will, even if this is the only gift from their parents, most DCs get grandparents and aunts/uncles buying gifts) then they will have something to play with on Christmas day.

Actually, this is a good idea. I might buy DH DS a sledge.

What is a good present on mn?

It seems to me like every present is judged as naff here. And not only we judge mil's present but now we also judge what other parents buy for their own children.

Sounds good present to me.

Is it the only present?

We bought the DCs sledges the Xmas we moved to Switzerland, and have only used them a few times here in Geneva. We go sledging in the mountains maybe 4 or 5 times each winter, so they don't get used an awful lot.

I agree with otter I know of only two hills you could sledge on but both are a bit steep for smaller dcs.

There a good investment, but if it snows before christmas like last year I'd end up handing them over.

Or move to the midlands, we live in leicester for one year, best snow I've ever seen november to right past christmas day.

*lived

But what if it snows before christmas?

I think it is a fine present if you buy it a week before christmas having seen a reliable snow forecast, but maybe a tad silly to plan in the middle of a mild november.

Not at all. We gave our dcs toboggans last year. When it snowed the week before Xmas, we decided to give them early. Much fun was had! The dc are really looking forward to snow this year. They still talk about the three days of sledging we had last year, and are already planning where to sledge next time.

Sledging is the best fun ever!

And more so because you can only do it a few days a year. It wouldn't be nearly so special if you could do it all the time.

My late grandad made me a fab sledge when I was a kid. I have some amazing memories of hurtling down the hill on it, of coming home freezing cold and having hot chocolate.

And the best one of all, of watching as my sister went down the hill at the speed of light and - instead of turning to go down a track at the bottom of the hill - went straight through a hedge.

So no. It's not a naff gift. It's a great gift.

I want a sledge for Christmas!

I live within spitting distance, and generally hang about in, Dedham vale. Plenty of hills! You've just got to know where to look!