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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not buy my 11 month old any Christmas presents?

174 replies

sparklyskyy · 27/09/2013 10:05

My baby will be 11 months at Christmas with his 1st birthday a month later.

We have a large family with lots of grandparents, aunts and uncles and friends so he is going to receive a huge number of gifts.

Due to this I decided to not buy him anything because he's not going to have a clue about presents and who from. I'm not doing it to be a tight wad just because he's going to have loads as it is plus we'll be getting asked left, right and centre what everyone should buy him.

Anytime I've told anyone this they have been horrified, including DP to begin with, which has now made me think I am being unreasonable to not buy my son anything for Christmas.

What do you think?

OP posts:
ChestyNut · 27/09/2013 10:08

Makes sense.

Is there anything you'd have to buy anyway you could wrap for photos/ 1st christmas memories?

I'm a compulsive christmas buyer tho Blush

What about a baby's first christmas decoration?

noUggscuse · 27/09/2013 10:08

YABU. It doesn't have to be something expensive, just something from the heart.

OHforDUCKScake · 27/09/2013 10:09

I always think these threads are sad.

MisselthwaiteManor · 27/09/2013 10:09

YANBU, he won't have a clue. I am buying presents for my baby who will be 6 months old but she won't be getting much from family so I am buying her clothes and toys/books to last until her birthday in the summer and then will be doing the same then to last until next Christmas. If she was going to be given all of this stuff already I wouldn't bother buying her anything extra.

OHforDUCKScake · 27/09/2013 10:10

"What did you get me for my very first Christmas Mum? Can you remember?"

"Errrrrr...."

MisselthwaiteManor · 27/09/2013 10:11

Why are they sad? It's nice if you can afford to be extravagant but there's no need for it if the baby is getting loads of presents already. He won't know.

oldgrandmama · 27/09/2013 10:11

As you say, he won't notice the lack of a present from you. But how about opening a savings account for him and bunging a few quid in? Or getting a nice money box, and doing the same?

BuskersCat · 27/09/2013 10:12

my dd was 9 months old on her first Christmas, and yes she was more interested in the paper and boxes, but those pictures, and memories of her tipping out her stocking will last a lifetime.

Onlyconnect · 27/09/2013 10:12

YANBU. I think even if he poses ohforduckscake's question in years to come you can tell the truth and he will see what you mean.

MisselthwaiteManor · 27/09/2013 10:12

I doubt OP means she won't even get one token thing.

Original poster
sparklyskyy · 27/09/2013 10:14

I'll def be buying a first Christmas thing. Nearly bought one last year with his name on it because we knew the sex and name but my DP talked me out of it until he was here. I got him a gorgeous Christmas jumper last year to wear on Christmas day but he's a wee tank so it won't fit him! Smile

Why do you find threads like these sad Ducks?

OP posts:
whitewineforme · 27/09/2013 10:14

YANBU. I bought lots of presents for my baby's first Christmas when he was 6 months old, we also have a big family and he got a ridiculous amount of presents. For his 1st birthday I had learnt my lesson and just got him 2 small presents as I knew he would get spoilt again! Maybe you could see what he receives and then buy him something afterwards that you feel he really needs, or put the money aside for a family day out?

BaldricksTurnip · 27/09/2013 10:15

I think it's a bit miserable tbh.

bicyclefish · 27/09/2013 10:15

YANBU, the first years of a childs life you are constantly buying things that will help them adapt and grow and they do this at such an alarming and wonderful rate (hopefully!) that the toys and curious etc that you do get them are soon discarded for something more interesting and age appropriate so it's basically like one long Christmas anyway, at least for your bank balance!
However, I do think you would feel a bit sad in later years if you didn't get 'something' to mark Babys first Christmas, maybe simply a decoration for the tree that they can always put on every year and know it was their special one, for your special one.

CruCru · 27/09/2013 10:16

Why not do her a small stocking? Doesn't have to be fancy but will make you feel a bit more like your first Christmas as a family.

In any case, other people won't (or shouldn't) be doing stockings for him. That is a parent's job.

rumbelina · 27/09/2013 10:17

I have never asked my parents what they got me for my first Christmas nor do I even remember what we got ds(now 3) for his.

YAsooooNBU

IKnewHouseworkWasDangerous · 27/09/2013 10:17

Well you are and arent being unreasonable. I think you will be sad if he has nothing at all from you. On the other hand it is silly to buy just for the sake of it. I would go for something he will need anyway. A new outfit. Stacking cups.....stacking cups are always a winner. Cheap cheerful and great for learning motor skills.

TravelinColour · 27/09/2013 10:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SoYo · 27/09/2013 10:19

I'm going to buy our then to be 10mo a decoration for the tree and her next size up car seat. That way she still has a gift from us and the rest of the extended family can provide the fun factor.

rumbelina · 27/09/2013 10:19

Yy to the decoration actually. we have got one every year for ds and I write on a paper bag which is from which year.

WowOoo · 27/09/2013 10:19

We did the same and bought something very small but special for both ds1 and 2.

When we were asked what we were buying, we said we hadn't decided yet, but something very small.

I also get mine to choose a Christmas tree decoration now - but only in the January sales. Blush
They have the ones from last year's sale to get excited about!

mum2jakie · 27/09/2013 10:20

I don't think you are unreasonable at all. You will remember your baby's first Christmas and it will be special for that very reason. You don't need to feel guilty about being sensible. Why feel obliged to buy stuff for the sake of it?

I would get your baby a lovely card and a book and wouldn't think twice about buying anything more. Enjoy your little one's first Christmas!

nancy75 · 27/09/2013 10:22

nothing at all? Could you not even buy a teddy or something?

I agree with the poster that finds these threads sad, it doesn't matter what other people are buying, I can't imagine getting nothing for my own child's first christmas

Boobybeau · 27/09/2013 10:22

Oh, they really do know a bit, my dd lover helping unwrap all the gifts and it was lovely to see their little faces. Can you go to your local toy library and borrow something, wrap that up and then when the novelty wears off/new toys are given you can give it back and it's not cost you a sausage. I can totally understand of its a cost/religious belief thing but you have another 3mths of development yet which is a l

Boobybeau · 27/09/2013 10:23

Sorry posted too soon, 3mths is a long time in a baby's life

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