to have left it this late?

[Newmummytobe79]

We mainly buy surprise gifts on my side of the family so when and where we buy them from isnt an issue.

But there is a family member who always wants us to buy her DC's gifts from their list.

I've left it a bit late and one of the DC's presents is now out of stock everywhere!

I'm currently watching one on ebay but don't want to pay over the odds for it.

I could blame new baby etc ... but time has just slipped away from me :(

The kids get piles of presents ... will not getting one thing really matter?

Oops

I don't think it matters...just get them something of your choice.

No it won't matter to the kid. What is it?

I wouldn't worry, you've got more important things going on!

Lists are greedy and grabby.. I would purposely ignore them

If it was something they really had their heart set on then the parents should have bought it for them to make sure they got it, or you could always give money so they can buy it for themselves after christmas if it is an older child

List? Stuff that.

Get the child something else and be done with it.

IF that grabby, greedy and classless family member is rude enough to say anything, say that you'll not be buying again then.

Get the kid something else. AS long as there is some kind of thought involved i am sure they wont mind. And if they do, don't get the ungrateful brats anymore presents!

After a stupid chain of events one year i had to buy all my families presents in the space of an hour before jumping on a train. The all got cheese, sausages, sweets or tat from the german market and i felt terrible. Christmas day was hysterical and they loved their bizarre packets of cured meats and tulips. Its not what you get but the fact you got something at all.

Havent done any shopping again so i dread to think what they will get this year

I think a list is fine for ideas-but not compulsary to buy from.

I don't think giving someone an idea of what to buy is a problem if the gift giver would like some suggestions, but think it's very 'grabby' to tell someone exactly what to buy for a gift.

When my nephew was coming up to 1 his mum asked me to get him a DVD for his birthday. I thought he already watched enough TV as it was and bought him a lovely book instead. I heard through the grapevine that it wasn't appreciated but I'm no longer asked for specific things!

I agree with the others here. Get something else. I'll only buy to order if I've purposefully asked what I should give.

The lists thing is a bit unseemly, isn't it? At the same time I can understand why she'd go to such measures if, like us, she gets presents every year kindly bought by people who sadly have no idea what she needs or likes! We have had our fill of gifts for the home which we would never use!

However, a kid's book should surely be an inoffensive choice?

I say buy something you like, and don't explain or justify yourself. She sounds a bit controlling.

yanbu. We give specific gift ideas to people who ask for them or ask for ideas. We drop hints to others not to be grabby but just becasue we have a big family and can get bogged down with age inappropriate or duplicate gifts and if people ar spending their hard earned cash I would like it to be for things that are enjoyed iyswim? However gifts of the senders choosing are equally welcomed and sometimes it's nice to see thoughtful gift that we may not have even thought of. Pehaps let them know you've been unable to gte it though, so they have the choice of paying over the odds for it themslves if they want.

I would have thought however that it won't be the "must have" - I would never suggest those to others in case for whatever reason they cannot get it, and would instead give an idea to inspire (eg DS3 is obsessed with cleaning atm so I might suggest atoy hoover but an ironing board, mop set.....etc would be just as well received)

zest01 Yes I have a nephew who's 15, goes to Scouts, likes dancing and some martial art or other. I haven't a clue what to get for him in case he already has what I'm looking at so I get something entirely different. I would love to see his face when he opens it on Christmas Day but can't.

As far as I'm concerned, girls are easier with proper toiletries or jewellery or hair ornaments.

I got a hair ornament out of a cracker the other day. A small clip in the shape of a butterfly. I'm 83; shall I wear it or give it away?