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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 08:34

Lots of differing opinion here, OP, so I think it's quite safe to say, do whatever you want! Grin

NavyandWhite · 09/12/2016 08:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bobbinpop · 09/12/2016 08:38

A bed is a perfectly acceptable and lovely gift! We buy useful stuff the DC need as presents as the house is already full of useless crap and loads of clutter. If it were my family, GP would buy the bed clothes to go with it too Smile

splendide · 09/12/2016 08:39

I think my all time best Christmas present of the last 37 was the desk I got when I was about 8. I loved that it felt properly mine because it was a present rather than just a furniture purchase. I got a pen pot and 48 coloured pencils as well. So happy!

Crumbs1 · 09/12/2016 08:41

When we moved we bought high sleepers as presents for two of ours - they could not have been happier.

ellamoromou · 09/12/2016 08:44

Lots of differing opinions here OP so obviously no 'right' answer! Xmas Grin Every family is different.

A 'normal' bed such as a single, 3/4 or double I wouldn't class as a Christmas present, a 'themed' bed such as princess castle or racing car bed I would, don't know why!

BarbarianMum · 09/12/2016 08:46

I totally would. When I was 16 I swapped bedrooms with my younger brother (So he got a turn at the big one). Part of the deal was that I got to choose new bedroom furniture. I got a bed for my birthday and a desk for Christmas. Both in black (1980s child).
If OP' s son wants a special bed, why not?

Basicbrown · 09/12/2016 08:50

Of course yanbu.

Fairylea · 09/12/2016 08:51

If it's something he really wants rather than needs I think it's fine!

Dd aged 13 wants to redecorate her bedroom for Christmas. To anyone else that probably sounds like she's very hard done by but actually she's had her bedroom redecorated about every year as she adores art and home stuff so she wants new fluffy throws, cushions, new bed stuff and lots of fairy lights etc, huge bean bags etc. That sort of thing. I asked her what she wanted for Christmas and that's what she wants! I'm getting her some headphones and make up bits as well even though she hasn't asked for those to make it a bit more diverse!

So I think it depends on the child and the situation.

raspberryrippleicecream · 09/12/2016 08:53

I would OP. I wouldn't even hesitate.

I'd also wrap up the double duvet and bedding hell need.

MatildaTheCat · 09/12/2016 09:13

Those in between sized beds are a pain in the tonsils. Harder to get bedding to fit and neither one thing nor the other. Friend got one for teenage son and regrets it.

My dsx2 sleep in singles until they left for uni. Both fine. Both 6'.

wiltingfast · 09/12/2016 09:16

A special bed sure

A normal "small" double

No

Just no

HaveNoSocks · 09/12/2016 09:18

When I was his age I'd choose a "big present" for christmas and get some little things my parents chose. I think it's fine to ask him if he wants the bed as his main gift and then get him a few cheap things to open on the day. Alternatively he can get a single bed and have other presents on christmas.

LucyLocketLostHerPocket · 09/12/2016 09:37

Surely it's like trainers, designer clothes etc. Cheap ones as needed in the year but if you want £100 ones they're a present. A single bed if that's what you need but if you want a more expensive version and have added expense of bedding too then that's a 'want' not a 'need'. Have to regularly remind my older DC that they're not actually 'entitled ' to certain stuff just because everyone apparently has it. At 13 he's old enough to decide how much he wants it, and, to be honest if he's not fussed enough to have it as part of his Christmas present then he's really not that fussed is he.

HelenaJustina · 09/12/2016 09:41

My DD got bunk beds for Christmas one year! I managed to wrap one head board as a clue...

DH put them up while I made Christmas lunch and they slept in them that night, they loved it!

HelenaJustina · 09/12/2016 09:42

They also got desks for their birthdays...

MrsJayy · 09/12/2016 09:50

I think a bed uograde is fine he is 13 he wants a double bed part of a christmas present cant see much wrong with that buy him some bedding job done

Soubriquet · 09/12/2016 09:52

I think its fine

I got a cabin bed for Christmas one year. It's what I wanted

Reality16 · 09/12/2016 09:56

He's 13, more than capable of understanding that he's getting an upgraded bed for Xmas god just because he is able to understand a bed is for Christmas doesn't make it right!

No way would I give a bed for Christmas, it's a bloody item of furniture, a basic one at that!

ErnesttheBavarian · 09/12/2016 10:02

I also wouldn't get a "samll double" bed either. Non-standard sized beds are a pain in the arse to get bedding for. Plus when he's older it'd be too small and annoying. My pil did this for my sil when she was a young teen. She wanted bigger than a single. They thought double was a bit too big for the room so got something in between. Fastforward to years later, she has left home but still comes to visit, with dh and they have to squeeze into this stupid no-a-double.

Just get a single or a double. Maybe think long term. But don't make (part of it) his Christmas present. Poor sod.

OliviaBensonOnAGoodDay · 09/12/2016 10:03

But it's what he wants, though. I know he needs a bed anyway, but getting a more expensive, more luxurious (!) version of one, which he's wanted for ages.

I think it's fine OP. 13 is definitely old enough to understand how budgeting for Christmas works. When I was about his age I needed a new coat for winter, but I wanted an expensive sportswear brand. My mum said I could either have a new coat from the usual shop now, or wait for Christmas for my expensive posh coat and make do til then. I waited. It was great!

StarryIllusion · 09/12/2016 10:08

Matilda you just get double bedding for it and use a flat sheet instead of a fitted. I had one for years and op I think that is fine. He can either have more xmas presents or he can have a bigger bed instead of a single. He doesn't need a double at his age so I think that is reasonable.

MrsJayy · 09/12/2016 10:18

Dd bought herself a small double bed and its just nornal double duvet sets she has

IAmChewie · 09/12/2016 10:25

My two are getting new beds and bedding for xmas. They are 5&7. The beds were only £30 though so not a huge chunk of their budget.

bigredfireengine · 09/12/2016 10:44

No different from getting pants , socks or pyjamas

(which I wouldn't give but seem to be the mumsnet staple).

Seems a bit hypocritical to advocate bulking out gifts with essential clothing and toiletries but not furniture to me.

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