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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to buy DS a bed for Christmas?

66 replies

WinterSwimwear · 09/12/2016 02:39

DS is kind of due a new bed (well, a new mattress, but it's cheaper to buy it with the bed (bed is on sale)). He wants one of those small double beds, it's in between a single and double. It's more expensive than what the single beds are and I think a single bed is absolutely fine for his age! (13) it's something he really wants, so I'd obviously take away the amount a single bed would be and the remaining would come out of Christmas, WIBU?

OP posts:
Trifleorbust · 09/12/2016 02:45

Tricky. I don't think furniture is a gift tbh. I would either get it or say we can't afford it, but Christmas would be separate.

avamiah · 09/12/2016 02:58

Trifleorbust,
I agree .

OliviaStabler · 09/12/2016 02:58

I don't see a bed as a suitable Christmas present for a child. It is a household purchase imo.

Original poster
WinterSwimwear · 09/12/2016 03:00

I wouldn't buy him a bed for Christmas, hence the money would be deduced, as a parent, I provide a bed (but I don't see why it can't be a single) and as he is desperate for a bigger one, the rest of the money could come out of Christmas? As it's something he really wants.

Obviously it's a no though Grin thank you!

OP posts:
Peanutandphoenix · 09/12/2016 03:06

A bed isn't really a Christmas present that's more something that you can buy any time of year. I would get the bed and then get him something for Christmas.

avamiah · 09/12/2016 03:08

Why are you asking the question OP if you know the answer.
A bed is a piece of furniture, a house hold item and not something you buy for your child in December and tell him it's his Christmas Present.

Original poster
WinterSwimwear · 09/12/2016 03:09

?? I don't think you understand what I mean... I would buy him a single bed right now, today. I'm just saying the extra money could be his present so he could get the bigger one. FYI, he will be having other presents this year... Such as a new iPhone, I wouldn't just buy him a bed and that's that.

OP posts:
AGrinWithoutACat · 09/12/2016 03:10

I disagree, a basic bed is furniture and you provide as a parent

An upgraded bed can be a gift along with nice bedding (the DCs have often got bedding as a gift - favourite characters etc)

We have had the same debate and we're going to buy both DD (12) and DS (10) doubles for Christmas as they both really wanted them (their singles were more than adequate) however we have been given a couple of spares with almost brand new mattresses from family when they were updating spare room furniture so don't need to

Trifleorbust · 09/12/2016 03:16

No, I get what you mean. I would just keep the two separate: "Happy to get you a new single bed" or "We have some extra cash so we can buy you the double even though you don't really need it". Then, "Happy Christmas, here's your iPhone!"

Kids get confused over stuff like this ime.

DoublyTroubly · 09/12/2016 03:35

I'm not sure what all the previous posters are on about. He's 13, more than capable of understanding that he's getting an upgraded bed for Xmas

One alternative would be to give him a budget for a new bed (cost of a single) plus cash for Xmas (difference between the single and small double). Then he can choose to spend the cash on upgrading the bed if he wants x

AmeliaJack · 09/12/2016 03:37

Why not give him the option?

CheerfulYank · 09/12/2016 03:38

My DS is 9 and getting a chair for one of his Christmas presents :o

user1477282676 · 09/12/2016 03:39

I don't like the idea but loads of people on MN think it's fine to put socks and toothbrushes in stockings. Not a lot of difference really. They're all necessary things.

Bumshkawahwah · 09/12/2016 03:52

This was my son's birthday present last year (he was 8). He gets completely spoiled by our families when it comes to presents, and often we find we are struggling to think of ideas for presents from us. He really wanted a loft bed with a sofa bed underneath and, honestly, he wasn't remotely disappointed. If I'd thought he would be, I wouldn't have bought it.

As it was he got something that wasn't necessary (his old bed was perfectly fine), that he loves, rather than some random gift that he'd like less.

I may be weird though, as I remember getting a bedside table and lamp for Christmas when I was 11 and being really happy about it.

Witchend · 09/12/2016 04:20

I think it's fine. I got a bed for Christmas when I was about that age. A cabin bed.
Ask him what he feels about it, he's old enough to discuss it properly.
"would you like to have this single bed, or if you prefer we could upgrade it to a double as your Christmas present?"
I wasn't a deprived child, but I regarded that as one of my better presents.

redexpat · 09/12/2016 05:59

Ask him what he wants!

VagueButExcitlng · 09/12/2016 06:06

My DD 15 is getting a bed for Christmas! I had no idea I was committing a mumsnet sin.

I can't think of a single thing to get her otherwise and I know she'll love it. She has a rubbish old hand me down at the moment.

I'm just sad I won't be able to wrap it up for her because we're not at home for Christmas day.

I am going to get her a speaker pillow, a onesie and new bedding to go with it. She loves being in bed more than anything else.

Please can you link to the mid size bed. I'd definitely agree that a 13 year old needs a bigger than single bed unless you want to be replacing it within 5 years.

cheeseandcrackers · 09/12/2016 06:14

I got a new bed for my birthday at that age. I needed a new one but the one I wanted was more expensive as it had lots of drawers underneath so I got it for my birthday. I was delighted with this as my present

Mypurplecaravan · 09/12/2016 07:01

I too got a new bed for Christmas (and a wardrobe and bookcase for my birthday that year) and yeah I think I was 13.

I probably got some smaller presents too but bed was main thing

SixtyDegreesNorth · 09/12/2016 07:51

I think it is a very good gift. The best gift I remember from my childhood was a duvet and cover with matching pillowcase. It was in the 70's and duvets were quite a novelty.

I am so put socks, pants and a new tooth brush in the stocking, along with pj's, gloves, hat etc. We have limited funds so it helps bulk out the present pile.

zad716 · 09/12/2016 08:01

VagueButExcitlng Why does anybody of a normal size sleeping on their own need bigger than a single bed? Some children's bedrooms aren't really big enough for more than a single bed.

hafnic · 09/12/2016 08:02

I got a bed for Christmas once too, nothing overly fancy and we were hard up. I was utterly chuffed with it.
I did get other small bits but the bed was an awesone present.

liquidrevolution · 09/12/2016 08:02

At that age it would be good experience to understand how if you want something you often have to sacrifice something else.

DD is getting a new bed for her 3rd birthday.Grin

ClopySow · 09/12/2016 08:05

Single beds aren't adaquate, they're shite.

AllPizzasGreatAndSmall · 09/12/2016 08:12

Well if he's getting an iphone money obviously isn't short, so why not just buy him the bed he wants?
OK a single will do the job, but we could apply that to lots of things - we don't only ever buy the most basic/cheapest thing that does the job, do we?

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