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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is a Bible ok?

84 replies

DogCalledRudis · 18/08/2014 10:28

We were invited to neighbours' 3 & 6 grandchildrens' birthday.
We're Christian, the grandparents are as well, so i think.... a nice edition of childrens' Bible should be nice?

Or should i just buy a big Lego?

OP posts:
1sneezecakesmum · 18/08/2014 10:32

Honestly I think it is for the parents to decide. Maybe their upbringing g turned them atheist! Ask the parents if possible to see what their approach is.

Kids are not usually keen on any book tbh and prefer a nice piece of flashy trash!

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 18/08/2014 10:32

I would only buy a Bible for a christening. If they havent been christened then a bible isnt apporpriate imo and if they have been christened then they will allready have a bible.
Some nice childrens stories of biblical tales may bbe slightly more apt.
Id also wrap an individual gift each - joint gifts are a no no.

jacks365 · 18/08/2014 10:32

Buy lego, the grandparents may be Christian but it doesn't mean the parents are.

shakinstevenslovechild · 18/08/2014 10:33

I think lego would be better tbh. Unless you know the.childrens parents are Christian and would welcome such a gift.

If their Grandparents are Christian too they probably.already have a special bible from them anyways.

BigDorrit · 18/08/2014 10:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 18/08/2014 10:34

Lego, my ds's at that age wouldn't have enjoyed a bible as a present.

OhMyArsingGodInABox · 18/08/2014 10:39

I'm an atheist but some of my parents' friends have given all my children beautiful illustrated bibles as gifts.

We've been very grateful and treated the bibles as we would any other beautiful book of stories.

I think it's a lovely gift. Even as an atheist I want my children to learn about religions.

DogCalledRudis · 18/08/2014 10:39

Ok, i think we will go for lego.
I don't know parents at all

OP posts:
AMumInScotland · 18/08/2014 10:39

I wouldn't (and I'm a Christian too!). You're not buying a present for the grandparents, and you don't know how the children are being raised or whether you are treading on a significant minefield here.

For a christening, maybe, but even then more suitable from a godparent or grandparent directly.

Birthday presents = toys!

wigglesrock · 18/08/2014 10:52

Buy a big Lego, you have no idea if the children follow any type of religion at all.

ZeroTolerance · 18/08/2014 10:56

Not for a birthday, no.

Buy a toy!

ImAlpharius · 18/08/2014 10:56

I would possibly go for a bibley/christian book and smaller toy, Bible is quite full on (and prone to duplicates if they are a Christian household) I don't think it matters what religion they follow, we are Christians and if friends of other faiths gave my kids age appropriate books form their religions I'd be delighted and would certainly read them with my children.

deakymom · 18/08/2014 10:58

well we wouldn't mind but many would so i would go with the lego x

SaucyJack · 18/08/2014 10:59

Lego.

The average three year old couldn't give less of a stuff what religion his GP's neighbours postman's auntie's dog is.

PfftTheMagicDraco · 18/08/2014 11:02

Why would it be nice? Because YOU like the bible?

bizarre.

specialsubject · 18/08/2014 11:03

lego.

no child follows a religion. They are told what to do.

they do whoever LOVE toys!

PenguinsIsSleepDeprived · 18/08/2014 11:05

Yup, lego. I think religious presents are only really a good idea if either you specifically know that they will be appreciated or it is a Christening (in which case, even if it is the fifth children's bible the kids have, it's still a nice and appropriate gift).

FairPhyllis · 18/08/2014 11:07

No. I am a Christian but I wouldn't give a Bible unless I knew the family well and knew they wanted one or unless for a christening (possibly not even then as it is very easy to end up with multiple copies).

They may already have multiple Bibles, or the parents may not be raising them as Christians and you could be putting your foot in it.

Castlemilk · 18/08/2014 11:09

No, very odd.

  1. If Christian, they would probably already have children's bibles;
  1. If not Christian, they probably wouldn't want one and might actively dislike being given one.
  1. Quite personal present - traditionally given at a christening by the godparents.
noblegiraffe · 18/08/2014 11:10

It would be a completely weird present from someone who doesn't know the children nor their parents' religious preferences.

My mum is catholic - I most definitely am not, and would be very Hmm over some random neighbour inserting religion uninvited into our lives. It's bad enough when schools do it.

GailLondon · 18/08/2014 11:12

No, not appropriate as you don't know the religious beliefs of the parents or the children themselves.

Someone bought us a Noah's Ark wooden toy for our son. We call it his Darwin's Boat :) I'm afraid a Bible would have been chucked straight in the charity donation bag in my house.

ImAlpharius · 18/08/2014 11:18

People who would just get rid, would you do the same with a book of Greek mythology or fairytales? Because surely that is all you beleive they are and there are some good stories in there. I would also say it's as close minded as a religous person refusing anything from another belief source.

ShadowStar · 18/08/2014 11:19

I would only give a bible as a christening present.

Chances are they already have one anyway if the grandparents are practicing Christians.

I'd go for Lego. Separate Lego sets for each child too.

Onesleeptillwembley · 18/08/2014 11:21

Totally inappropriate and presumptuous. Just because its your thing and the grandparents are. Christians is irrelevant.
I like a night out with a drink. Under no circumstances would that make it appropriate for you to take my 2 year old grandchild out on the lash.

Hurr1cane · 18/08/2014 11:23

No, no bibles here. DS was bought a children's bible as a young child and I flicked through it, I forgot how horrific some of the stories are, even toned down for children they're pretty nightmare inducing.

I didn't object to having one as such, although I'm not Christian, I believe children should be left well alone to choose for themselves, but I would never have read it to him anyway because of the content.

I gave it to a charity shop.