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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Someone asking for an expensive present for their DC.

24 replies

LilyTheSavage · 02/12/2013 20:24

I asked a friend what we should give her 4 year old DS for Christmas as he is one of our Godsons. I was given two suggestions and I said that one of the suggestions was ok. I've now researched it (Furby) and found that to get something that's not just a soft toy is over £22. Is that a bit expensive or AIBU? I'm quite prepared to be told I'm BU, or is she BU to ask for something "big".

Thanks. (Hope my friend isn't a MN - 'cause I do actually really like her a log, I'm just embarrassed).

OP posts:

Original poster

LilyTheSavage · 02/12/2013 20:25

Like her a lot not log!

OP posts:

Idespair · 02/12/2013 20:25

A "proper" furby is £59 in toys r us I believe!

Josie314 · 02/12/2013 20:26

I wouldn't consider £22 unreasonable or "big", but obviously it depends on your circumstances.

strruglingoldteach · 02/12/2013 20:26

What was the other suggestion? Was it something cheaper? The friend WBU to only suggest something big, but not if she suggested a couple of things, one of which happened to cost a bit more.

CSIJanner · 02/12/2013 20:27

YANBU - she should have given more options with a difference in budget.

Having said that, someone was saying in Chat yesterday that they were getting mini furbies with a happy meal this weekend. Just make sure they have stock before you buy the meal.

Hulababy · 02/12/2013 20:27

Just tell her that you have looked and a Furby is too dear - a proper one is more like £60. Maybe clarify with her if she just means a cuddle toy one perhps though.

Bowlersarm · 02/12/2013 20:29

Approx £20.00 sounds fine to me for a godchild. But it's all relative to the individual financial situation.

CSIJanner · 02/12/2013 20:40

Could I just postscript? I'm not saying just giving a happy meal Furby is fine, but I would do that and buy something else that you think your Godchild might like and is within budget.

Original poster

LilyTheSavage · 02/12/2013 20:46

Thanks everybody. That's so helpful. I was thinking that between £10 and £20 was actually ok. I want to be generous and get something that he'd like but with several godchildren and my own DC it just can't be done. I do spend a bit more on the older ones and his time will come. I just can't see the point of spending a lot on a four year old when it's just an overload at Christmas as they get so much anyway.

Brilliant advice, and thanks again

OP posts:

IThoughtThat · 02/12/2013 20:57

I would spend a smaller amount if you have your own kids and several godchildren, otherwise it all starts to get a bit much. You friend could not have realized how expensive they are.

DeWe · 02/12/2013 21:26

If you're thinking between £10 and £20, I would get the £22 one and get something slightly smaller (say £12-£15) next present time.

LittleMissGreen · 02/12/2013 22:41

As I only spend £20 max on my own DSs big presents I would be a bit if a relative/friend asked me to buy a £60 present for their DC. I certainly wouldn't ever ask anyone to spend that on my DSs.

PrammyMammy · 03/12/2013 09:47

Did you tell her your budget? If not, why not? She obviously wouldn't know it.
I always ask my dsis what to get for her 2 dc's. She does the same with ours. We just pick something from the kids Santa lists. This year one was £35 and the other was £10.

poshfrock · 03/12/2013 09:55

Budgets are the way to go and make sure everyone knows them.

We have £15 for nieces/nephews. £50 for siblings. £20 for siblings' partners.
I have 4 siblings and each sibling buys for one sibling and their partner so everyone gets one present from everyone else IYSWIM.
We don't buy for DH's siblings by mutual agreement, only for their kids, although I would be quite happy to do the same as we do on my side of the family but it's just how they've always done it.

notso · 03/12/2013 10:08

Is a it a proper furby boom, one of those other small ones or a cuddly toy one?
They did have the cuddly ones in B&M for £10 or so but it was a while back.
Just get something else within the budget.

poshfrock do you really spend £50 on siblings and only £20 on their partners? Are they married or just recent boyfriend/ girlfriends?

Original poster

LilyTheSavage · 03/12/2013 18:37

Oooo! That's a very good point Prammy. To be fair I didn't tell her my budget because I didn't expect her to suggest an expensive present. The alternative was a remote control car which I know I can get for a very reasonable price from Amazon. In future I shall suggest a budget.

Just poured myself a large glass of wine and am going to swerve through Amazon....

Thanks everybody. XX

OP posts:

BrownSauceSandwich · 03/12/2013 18:56

You're definitely not unreasonable to feel that £22 is too much to spend, but... If you ask for suggestions, you've got to make your budget clear, it's embarrassing for the other person, too, if you don't. Also, it's quite possible that your friend doesn't know how much these things cost, and has just heard her son go on about them. Don't read too much into it.

formerbabe · 03/12/2013 19:20

I think its a bit rude...if people ask me what to get for my kids I normally suggest fairly cheap bits like books/stickers/cars/hair clips. I would suggest a gift at that price if it was a very close relative who wanted to get something.

Original poster

LilyTheSavage · 03/12/2013 20:14

I certainly won't fall out with this friend and I really wouldn't want to embarrass her. I shall make sure I give her a budget in future and it really is possible that she didn't realise how much they cost. I was shocked and it's very likely that she would be too. I suppose I did land myself in it.
She's a lovely friend which is why I'm squirming a bit.
Thanks for all your advice and opinions.... all so sensible.

OP posts:

Justforlaughs · 03/12/2013 20:16

Well if her DC is only 4 she probably doesn't even know what a Furbie is! They've probably come out of pre-school talking about a friend who's got one.

breatheslowly · 03/12/2013 20:21

I'd. Think that £10 would be sufficient. But perhaps I am a bit mean.

Ziggyzoom · 03/12/2013 20:31

I'd be surprised if a 4 year old boy even knew what a Furby was TBH!

poshfrock · 04/12/2013 10:43

Yes notso, that's correct.

I have been with my husband 13 years and married for 10, one brother married for 3 years, sister married for 5 years, one brother engaged for 2 years, other brother with partner for 4 years. Not sure why that info is relevant though?

notso · 04/12/2013 15:04

Sorry I am being nosy poshfrock.
There would be a lot of hurt feelings if we did that.

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