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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To buy just one present for 4 children?

28 replies

PavlovtheCat · 29/11/2013 18:29

I never know what to buy my nieces and nephews from one sibling. They are 10 (almost 11), 9, 6 and 15 months. I always spend around £10 or so each and never know whether they like their presents, or have I just wasted £40+ (well, baby doesn't care either way!). I am not hugely close to my sibling, but don't want the children to miss out or think I don't care and buying individual presents means less money.

I was thinking about buying one, or maybe two, family presents, some board games or another game of some kind, or something like that, and then a little something for the little one who won't want to play a board game! I was thinking this way I can get them something fun, family related so mum and dad can play, and spend more money on it.

AIBU, would you be annoyed at only getting 'one' joint present? And if you would like that kind of thing, what should I get that covers 6-10?

OP posts:
softlysoftly · 29/11/2013 18:32

I do that for cousins dcs no feedback to say if they are happy or not though!

Used to get the Guinness book of records and chocolates and a family game.

Annunziata · 29/11/2013 18:33

YANBU. I have 7 DC and I'd never expect my siblings or siblings in law to buy individually.

Big boxes of chocolates are good, DVDs everyone can watch or board games.

One of the loveliest presents we ever got was mugs for everyone with hot chocolate and different bags of sweeties.

SparklyMasterMummy · 29/11/2013 18:34

I think that would be fine :) a close family friend (considered family) would always by the family one or two board games for Christmas when I was growing up. I had 4 other siblings (so 5 of us in total!) and I always remember it being one of the most looked forward to present!

SparklyMasterMummy · 29/11/2013 18:35

buy not by!

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 29/11/2013 18:35

Oh I like the idea of mugs and hot chocolate!

softly I don't ever get feedback either, we don't really talk. I get a quick 'thanks' text or similar from SIL. But, it's not really for them, it's for the children to get something from their aunty and uncle and cousins.

I always get so stressed trying to get something individually for them, I get worried and tie myself up in knots picking something perfect. So, think outside the individual presents idea is the way to go it seems!

OP posts:
comemulledwinewithmoi · 29/11/2013 18:37

Have 4 here. Similar ages. Not keen on the board game idea, hard with baby or too knackered!! Big box of chocs and biscuits be fab! And a lot less than &40

Scholes34 · 29/11/2013 18:38

We got Sort it out! last year. There's a junior version available, which would suit. Very good fun.

whatareyoueventalkingabout · 29/11/2013 19:17

Oooh you should totally buy a popcorn machine. I bet they would LOVE you for that!

Just type in tradesales popcorn machine on amazon. Just googled for you and there is one for £32. You could add some DVDs from charity shops and a bag of popcorn kernels and make it a gift for the whole family!

Grennie · 29/11/2013 19:21

I just give money or vouchers. I don't even get a thanks never mind feedback, so I gave up agonising what to get them.

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 29/11/2013 19:25

comemulledwinewithmoi would they play it without you? With DH/DP?

So, if not a board game, then a box of treats for the family - chocolate, biscuits, sweets, etc? They don't really drink alcohol. God knows why not, with 4 children I would have thought that was medicinal Wink

I was looking at 'sort it out' and thought it looked like fun. Also love the popcorn idea!! off to look now!

OP posts:
Breadkneadslove · 29/11/2013 19:28

Pav I think it's a perfectly acceptable idea to buy family gifts. Games like twister and junior pictionary etc are always a hot. I also like the popcorn and movie night idea...

MNHQ
TheOnlyOliviaMumsnet · 29/11/2013 19:29

I've done board games and a hamper of DVDS with popcorn and sweets before (My sister has 6 children)
Went with old classic films rather than trying to get the latest releases.

BasketzatDawn · 29/11/2013 19:34

Some people will like it; other will hate it - and you run the risk of your SIL posting on AIBU after Christmas. Grin One of our best joint gifts when DC were little - I think it was new baby present for DS3 - was a voucher for GAP from my cousin's then wife, and I went to the sales and got an item for each of the 4 boys. I'd never shopped in GAP before then!

sandfrog · 29/11/2013 19:38

Love the popcorn and films idea, never thought of that! Board games great too.

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 29/11/2013 19:39

I do think that they would love popcorn maker. Unless of course they already have one...

they like films, and I like the idea of classics as I wouldn't want to get new ones, they will already have them.

OP posts:
MimiSunshine · 29/11/2013 19:45

If you want to go down the mug and hot choc route. You can buy white / cream mugs with scrabble style letters on the side online.
You could buy one for each child with their initial, buy some nice hot choc, decant into small food bags, tie a gift tag with instructions I.E. 4 heaped tea spoons and hot milk. And buy a large bag of marshmallows and put them inside a bag, put both inside the mug and a nice family DVD.
Put the whole lot in a basket with a bag of popcorn and wrap up as a hamper with some wine for mum and dad

paulapantsdown · 29/11/2013 19:46

My SIL turned up one year with one toy (value £20) for both my boys. She called it a 'joint present'. Her two boys were given a gift each, value also about £10 each, that I had chosen for specifically chosen for them.

I think my SIL was thoughtless. It doesn't take two kids to open one present does it? Therefore, one of them opened it while the other looked on, while my nephews opened a present each.

Lazy and thoughtless. But that's our "family". I suppose if it was actually left to my brother, they wouldn't have even got that!

Board games are BORED games! By them a little present each.

InTheRedCorner · 29/11/2013 19:49

I ink a joint present is a great idea. Chocolate fountain and a bag of goodies?

Mine received a board game last year and loved it and it meant I only had one game to find room for v 3 separate presents.

I bought the headbanz game and the logo one for mine today and it looks good fun.

The Christmas bargain thread has a code for half price thorntons hampers?

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 29/11/2013 20:05

paula I am not suggesting a toy to share, but instead a family package of some kind. OK, I get that board games are not everyone's cup of tea, and perhaps not even my own family's cup of tea, hence suggestions for what that something might be.

I am torn now between popcorn maker and mugs of hot chocolate! DH is like 'meh' to the whole lot. he thinks they will not like any of it, because he is not a 'ho ho ho!' type of person. he thinks just get a gift voucher.

OP posts:
Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 29/11/2013 20:07

and, my family will unlikely get anything for my DC at all, and we live at other ends of the country, so we will not swap presents and have a risk of one family opening more than another family.

OP posts:
comemulledwinewithmoi · 29/11/2013 20:11

Films a good idea. No probably wouldn't play the board game!

comemulledwinewithmoi · 29/11/2013 20:11

Wine an excellent idea!

Jinty64 · 29/11/2013 20:12

I agree with dh.

ilovesmurfs · 29/11/2013 20:16

joint present is fine. mine would love classuc dvds and hot choc and marshmallow, sweets, popcorn etc.

mine also like blankets to snuggle up with when watching films, cheap fleece onesfrom primark, poundland, ikea etc.

there was a cmassic kids films thread recebtly.

flight of the navigator
five alive
et
the goonies
bedknobs and broomsticks etc.

you can generally get them cheap on amazon etc.

a hamper with dvds and goodies!!

HansieMom · 29/11/2013 22:22

Here is a really great game: Apples to Apples Junior. It's fun for adults and kids.