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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to buy an even better present and if so what?

52 replies

Firsttimemum2012 · 04/06/2013 23:01

DS turns one in a few weeks time. Have been planning to buy him a trike with a parent handle - looked into the different types etc ready to make a purchase but thought I would leave final decision to DH.

Found out yesterday that MIL has bought him one. Trying not to think she did it deliberately (as I knew we were panning to buy one) though I think she might have done as she likes to have control (whole other story) and up until last week she was adamant she was buying him a ball pool. I know it shouldn't matter who bought it but I know how smug she will be on his birthday so wanted some ideas for an awesome present.

OP posts:
OhTheConfusion · 05/06/2013 08:20

We god DD a fabric tee pee for her 1st birthday. I may not look exciting but she has played in it every single day since!

Virgil · 05/06/2013 08:21

wow I want one of those speherolo things and I'm 40!! get one of those!

Agree with the others. Trike will get hardly any use. Its not the best present. A scuttlebug on the other hand if you have wooden floors will be used loads and its so light and portable (it folds up) you can take it anywhere.

I'd say a present to trump a trike would be:

Small climbing frame with little slide
Swing
Sandpit
Playhouse (DS1 practically lived in his plastic tomy one until he was five)

shewhowines · 05/06/2013 08:23

I second or forth/fifth the cozy coupe car. We had ours indoors when they were little and it was played with loads. Visiting kids always made a beeline for it too. We only got rid of it when they were so big they struggled to get into it.

Much better than a trike.

MNBlackpoolandFylde · 05/06/2013 08:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MNBlackpoolandFylde · 05/06/2013 08:33

This reply has been deleted

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ENormaSnob · 05/06/2013 08:33

Another vote for the little tykes coupe car.

Ds2 got his for his first birthday and it's still played with almost daily 2.5 years on.

The scuttle bug is also played with regularly and he's had that since he was 1 too.

jammiedonut · 05/06/2013 09:26

Yanbu, . If baby was anything older than one I'd be helping you pick out something fabulous to trump her gift....that being said, one year olds honestly do not give a monkeys what they receive on their birthdays. From my experience (6 siblings, 1 nephew and countless young relatives) they are more interested in the packaging than anything else. To prove this point to my dsm my df wrapped ONE of his smelly gym trainers in a very pretty package for my baby sister after arguing with Dsm over the cost of her birthday party and presents. Guess what was her favourite gift of all (we've said the pictures of her clutching smelly shoe and bow for when she brings first bf home).
Maybe say thank you, congratulate yourself on saving a small fortune and concentrate on making the birthday boy feel loved and special on the day. Oh and keep next years' gift top secret. That's the one he'll remember!

jojane · 05/06/2013 09:42

Wooden train track and a Thomas train (you can keep adding every year, ours is huge now)
Happyland
Little trampoline
Sandpit
Water table
Car garage (we went for a "nice" wooden one and now which we had gone for an all dancing flashing plastic one as they look like so much more fun!)

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 05/06/2013 10:06

I got DS a ball table from early learning centre (can't find it online so not sure if they still do it, but here is a similar one balltable ) for his first birthday, and he still plays with it now age 3.
Another great buy that I got DD for her first birthday was the Bounce and spin Zebra it has lasted 2 kids (plus other children at parties where it proved very popular) and has only just gone out of favour now my son is 3.
I would go for something that your LO will get daily use out of and will last longer age wise.

sue52 · 05/06/2013 10:16

My DDs loved their coupe car and they are the kind of toy you can pass down. Why can't you tell MIL that you have already bought a trike? Most people would just return it and buy something else.

janey223 · 05/06/2013 10:27

I hate DS's trike. They're horrible to push, no storage etc, it just takes up room in my tiny flat!

I think my best buy for his birthday was a kids table and chairs and it should last for years also doubles as push along and climbing frame

He got a ride on that has a shape sorter on the sides that he can spend ages riding, pushing, pulling, sorting and pressing the buttons. He barely touches anything that doesn't have wheels unless its a ball or book (17m)

noblegiraffe · 05/06/2013 10:35

Trike was a waste of money. When we were out, the buggy was far easier to push and when his legs finally reached the pedals he wasn't interested. Got hardly any use, trust me, he's not going to be majorly excited by a toy he just passively sits on. Bubbles are far more exciting.

Snoopytwist · 05/06/2013 10:38

Get him a few things, wrap them up loosely in LOADS of wrapping paper, then put them all in a massive box filled with shredded paper like a big, crawl-in lucky dip! Your DS will enjoy looking at his trike for a few minutes - the enjoyment of the big box, all the shredded paper and lots of presents to dig about for will last for ages! and stop him paying attention to the trike

Montybojangles · 05/06/2013 10:43

Another vote for the tiny tikes Coupe, or a sand pit/sand and water table.

TheBigJessie · 05/06/2013 11:03

*Child is one.

*It takes two people to make a competition.

*Your child needs fewer people in his life who think giving presents to other people is about showing-off to other guests, rather than about what the recipient would like. So don't join in with it!

DeWe · 05/06/2013 12:22

At 1yo that're not that bothered by the trike. They may love it at 2yo, but you won't have to try hard to find something your dc prefer at that age.
All mine wanted to do with a trike at that age was spin the pedals.

Florin · 05/06/2013 13:39

I vote for the little tikes car. We have had ours since our ds was 7 months old. He is now 11 months. It is an indoor toy for now and he plays with it every day pushing it around and getting in and out of it and opening and closing the door. It was well worth the money. Our ds is getting a wheelybug for his birthday for inside and also the micro scooter with the seat. He has tried it in the shop and scoots around on it and adores it. Nice and easy to put in the car and take places plus it should last him until he is about 6.

Original poster
Firsttimemum2012 · 05/06/2013 22:51

Thanks everyone - the little tikes car and the sandpit/water pit look possibles with a bubble machine and some books. Also plenty of ideas for other members of the family - who did ask what they should get him.

Yes I know I am beng petty and should be a bigger person - but she has form for ths kind of behaviour. Unfortunately getting away with it for far too long.

OP posts:
Asheth · 05/06/2013 22:55

We bought DS a trike for his first birthday and he didn't really use it until he was nearer 2. A smaller ride ride on car is much better.

chirpchirp · 06/06/2013 00:06

For DS first birthday I bought an annual pass to the zoo, a soft play place and Deep Sea World and renewed them for his second birthday! We've had so many brilliant days out together I'm actually a little sad that he's starting playgroup now and I won't get to go see the pandas every other week on my days off.

Lioninthesun · 06/06/2013 00:15

I know I shouldn't enter into this as I do think it is a slippery slope, but fuck it.
I got DD a swing set for her 1st b.day and a trike. She plays with both. Be aware; trike will be cherished and requested as form of transport into town often, especially in the summer. HOWEVER, having kids play on swings in the garden can give you some peace and becomes a bit of an attraction for other mothers to join in with the peace it offers and glass of wine
Also have a small indoor/outdoor trampoline (the type they can hold onto) which burns off excess energy rather well.
Some links to thinks I want to get for DD but have so far put off due to ££
Bouncy Castle
Wherever we go with these DD decides she wants to live in it
Love this

But I think this is the trump card...
www.amazon.co.uk/Ukayed-Amazing-Swing-GREEN-Improved/dp/B00118QRCU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2JEL5CNRFIHU6&coliid=I1UTS7L9TRIL3L
He could sodding well drive into town himself on this, so why would he prefer the trike?! Wink

SarahAndFuck · 06/06/2013 00:31

Stand up to her and tell her to take it back, otherwise you are in for years of this sort of nonsense.

Or play her at her own game in future and don't mention anything you actually plan to get him. Instead, steer her in another direction and tell her you are thinking of getting him something else entirely and let her buy it and think she's got one up on you.

MNBlackpoolandFylde · 08/06/2013 08:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mysteryfairy · 08/06/2013 09:01

I think every one year old should have one of these:

wheely bug

DD spent half of her life preschool sat on one!

3MonthMaid · 08/06/2013 09:10

We weren't all that fussed with the trike either. Pretty much impossible for little ones to pedal themselves and if they start crazy steering while you are pushing it makes for all sorts of fun. You can usually fix the front wheel but it still moves enough to alter the direction of travel!

Activity table is great or something they can propel themselves, such as the scuttle bug or wheely bug. If he is walking, you could also consider a Mini Micro scooter with toddler seat. That will be something that lasts you years and years and before age 2 my DD was able to ride it alone (of sorts!)