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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think it's a bit odd that colleague isn't buying his DD Christmas presents?

158 replies

PurpleTinsel · 11/12/2012 11:58

I have a colleague who's first baby (a DD) was born about 6 months ago.

This will be her first Christmas. We were talking about Christmas yesterday, and colleague said that he and his DP are not buying their DD any Christmas presents at all because she's too young to appreciate Christmas.

I can understand not making a big deal about Christmas for a baby - but the idea that they're buying no Christmas presents for her at all, not even one small inexpensive present, surprised me.

Colleague is well paid and his family celebrate Christmas.

AIBU to think that this is odd behaviour?

OP posts:
WinklyVersusTheZombies · 11/12/2012 12:00

I don't see the point in the parents buying for a tiny baby. People who buy baby gifts are really buying for the parents IMO

chrismissymoomoomee · 11/12/2012 12:01

YABU she is 6 months old she won't know any different.

SavoyCabbage · 11/12/2012 12:01

No not really. I got my dd one book for her first Christmas but she didn't open it or anything. I don't think we bothered at all for dd2 but I can't remember!

FunnysFuckingFreezing · 11/12/2012 12:01

YANBU. DS1 was born 3 weeks before Christmas and he got some gifts. I know they don't need them but it seems mean spirited not to but something

laptopdancer · 11/12/2012 12:01

No, she is only 6 months old! Seems normal to me Xmas Confused

WillSingForCake · 11/12/2012 12:02

We didn't buy anything for our baby's first Christmas either. We knew relatives would give her stuff, and she already had plenty of toys, clothes etc.

They sound sensible to me. Far better uses for their money.

Nixea · 11/12/2012 12:02

Another who can't see the point for such a small baby. I didn't bother as we didn't have much spare money at the time and as she wouldn't have remember a thing anyway. YABU

redskyatnight · 11/12/2012 12:03

Flip it round to say "why would you buy a present for a baby that doesn't know it's Christmas, won't understand what the present is, and won't remember it?"
Presumably your colleague buys the baby clothes/toys/other essentials when she needs them? Baby will treat them in the same way as a Christmas present.

Caitycat · 11/12/2012 12:03

We have bought our daughter ( 4 months)a very small present but I really don't think it would matter if we hadn't. We love her to bits and will always make an effort for her but this Christmas she will know nothing about and probably be inundated with presents from everyone she has ever encountered. Time enough from next year on to start getting into the commercial side of Christmas!

StellaNova · 11/12/2012 12:04

DS1 was two months old for his first Christmas. Didn't get him anything as far as I can remember. He got plenty from others. It's fine to buy babies presents if you want to, but it is for you, not them, really.

YABU.

StripyMagicDragon · 11/12/2012 12:04

YABU, my dd was born eleven days before xmas and we got her nothing. I thought the pram, clothes and everything else was enough money and I preferred to wait till she understood more. babies don't care as long as they are fed and warm, at that age the decorations are probably good enough to have a look at :-)

mamij · 11/12/2012 12:04

We didn't buy anything for either DDs (both born about two months before Christmas) first Christmas either. They got loads of toys when they were born and we didn't see the point of getting another for the sake of it.

samandi · 11/12/2012 12:05

I can see his point. Babies don't know whether it's Christmas or not. Presumably she'll get lots of things from family members anyway, and presumably the parents buy her stuff at other times.

seekingpeaceandquiet · 11/12/2012 12:05

YABU seems smart to me.
We did buy dd a few bits and bobs to try and unwrap not that she was very successful..

LoopsInHoops · 11/12/2012 12:05

I think it's fine. I've bought presents for quite a lot of babies this year, but things they will keep and know they have had since their first xmas.

MissCellania · 11/12/2012 12:06

YABU, don't be so judgey. It's just throwing money around.

LtXmasEve · 11/12/2012 12:08

We didn't buy anything for DD either, nor on her 1st birthday - she had more than enough from friends and family.

Xmas Grin
merlottits · 11/12/2012 12:09

YABU I find it weird that a person WOULD buy their 6 month old Christmas presents.

The child is none the wiser so it would only be for their benefit anyway.

Sensible behaviour.

SamSmalaidh · 11/12/2012 12:10

YABU!

I don't think we bought DS anything for his first Christmas, he was 4 months. Lots of family bought him toys and clothes. He neither needed anything from us or cared.

TravelinColour · 11/12/2012 12:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OlivetheotherReindeer · 11/12/2012 12:11

YANBU, our DS is nearly 6 months. I've gone nuts for his 1st Xmas. Yes, it's not really or him but for me, however, unless money was incredibly tight I can't understand not buying a gift. I've still got the teddy that came for my irst Xmas.

specialsubject · 11/12/2012 12:13

good on them for not wasting money on a life-form that cares only about food, warmth and love. And will probably get an avalanche of tat presents from everyone else anyway.

Ephiny · 11/12/2012 12:15

YABU. Personally I think it's odd when people do buy presents for little babies (and really really odd when they send them cards!), though it's harmless enough either way and none of my business.

lynniep · 11/12/2012 12:16

YABU. Its not odd in the slightest. It makes perfect sense especially if you're the type of person who doesnt understand/appreciate gift buying (like my DH) We never bought DS2 anything for his first christmas. Other people did which was lovely but he didnt need anything.

squoosh · 11/12/2012 12:19

YANBU

I think it's odd that they wouldn't even buy a small token to mark the child's first Christmas.