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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

10yo DS has hunted for presents... Wibu to make him wait for gifts?

97 replies

YetAnotherUser · 18/12/2016 22:34

10yo DS has hunted for (and found) some presents... Not for the first time either.

WIBU to:
A) Get him a sack of coal to open
B) Make him wait until after lunch to open his presents
C) Both of the above?

OP posts:
nokidshere · 18/12/2016 23:20

You are going to punish a 10 yr old for looking for presents?

YABU and totally ridiculous

VoldysGoneMouldy · 18/12/2016 23:25

I'd let him unwrap stuff as normal, but I sure as hell wouldn;t be giving him a new bike if he can't be trusted not to go looking for things. He can wait for that. Very Dudley Dursley style behaviour.

GravyAndShite · 18/12/2016 23:26

nokidshere I'm fairly sure this is a lighthearted thread. Xmas Biscuit

RainbowJack · 18/12/2016 23:26

Waterlemon Shock

Your family are evil geniuses. I like their style Grin

GravyAndShite · 18/12/2016 23:27

Waterlemon

Xmas Shock
Revealall · 18/12/2016 23:51

Why would you hunt for presents? The whole thing about Christmas is the surprise at what you would get.
If he's hunting then I wouldn't bother hiding. Just put presents under the tree as you buy them and sod the whole surprise in Christmas Day. He can feel/ peak to his hearts content then.

previously1474907171 · 19/12/2016 00:31

Give him the ones he has found, but not the bike.

MrsTerryPratchett · 19/12/2016 00:42

I find people who don't understand why a ten year old child would hunt for presents odd. Natural curiosity? An adventurous spirit.

People expect children to just pop out, perfect in every way.I'm not perfect now, and I'm significantly older than 10.

happsymum · 19/12/2016 02:38

ill never forget the first and last christmas i did this. they were only stocking filler gifts but i still remember when opening my stocking and being so gutted id already seen them. im sure itll be a lesson learned for him too! dont think my mum ever knew but i was never tempted again!

Nataleejah · 19/12/2016 06:40

Did that often, sort of treasure hunt type of fun, but to no luck as my parents kept pressies at work or gave neighbours to keep.
That said, friend's little brother discovered a fancy new football and was overexcited that he's getting it. Nope. That was neighbours' kids pressie Grin

ToastyFingers · 19/12/2016 06:49

A crash hat you say...
Can you borrow an iggle piggle scooter or similar and wrap that instead of the bike.

Does he know you know he's peeked?

Love51 · 19/12/2016 06:56

I remember being told that a present I had found was for my cousin. Strange because that was the only year we ever got her anything (I have 1001first cousins on that side) and they never got us anything. And luckily Father Christmas got me the exact same present.
I've also told my 3 year old that things I'm buying for his big sis are for daddy's work. Or my work. He's going to grow up to be disappointed in the lack of toys in the average work place.
Lie that they're not for him, plus natural justice. Don't get angry, he's way past believing age (they lie to be on the safe side! - It's part if the game).

SoupDragon · 19/12/2016 07:08

I would wrap up coal and potatoes and give him these before the other presents. Perhaps each one with a note about not snooping in future. I do have a very jokey relationship with my children though so they would get it.

WannaBe · 19/12/2016 07:12

I wouldn't punish him. I never looked although I'm terrible at looking under the tree at the different packages under there. Grin Waterlemon that is pure genius.

Sixisthemagicnumber · 19/12/2016 07:14

This is why I try to wrap things as soon as possible after buying some kids are naturally curious and adventurous and just can't handle the suspense of waiting until xmas
Morning. I wouldn't punish for it as the punishment already exists - he will have no element of surprise on xmas morning.

NinjaLeprechaun · 19/12/2016 07:21

"I know he's a hunter, I know he's a toe rag and exactly what he's like... But it's a small house and hiding places are at a premium."
My mum and a friend of hers used to hide their kids' presents at each others houses. Friend's daughter went looking one year... it happened to be a year I was getting exactly what she wanted... I don't think Christmas morning went well.
This was then served up as a lesson to all of us.

queenMab99 · 19/12/2016 07:25

A small piece of coal, a sack is too generous!

Kitsandkids · 19/12/2016 07:32

One year, when he was about 10, my husband found the computer game he'd really wanted, sneaked it out and completed it before putting it back. He said it was hard trying to act surprised and thrilled on Christmas Day!

Sleepingonthebus · 19/12/2016 07:33

I looked once and found something. Never did it again because I LOVE surprises. My mum would actually tell me where things were so that I didn't look by accident.

IAmNotAUserNumber · 19/12/2016 07:34

There are a few joyless people on here. You would punish a 10 year old for peeking at his presents? Hmm
To the extent of not giving him his bike?
Leave the helmet and bike to last by all means, and present them after he's opened his other presents, but immediately after the other presents, not till after lunch.

iamamickey · 19/12/2016 07:37

God! Ur are all miserable feckers!!!! He's a kid! Kids hunt for presents.

It's your bloody fault for not hiding them
Better.

Don't be such a miserable sod and give the wee lad his presents. Spare a thought for those with less and get over your first world problem FFS

icecreamcones · 19/12/2016 07:37

I did this, most years. I even opened some of them, and re-wrapped them (as a teenager when my parents were at work). My parents never found out. Blush

Juanbablo · 19/12/2016 07:37

Awwww no, you can't punish him for it. I looked once but I was 15. I remember being a bit disappointed with myself for spoiling my surprise. I'm sure your ds will feel the same.

elmo1980 · 19/12/2016 07:45

I looked for presents one year and found a train set which I was excited by for a split second then was instantly disappointed as I knew I had ruined the surprise. Never hunted for presents again so he may have learned his lesson.

Weirdly I didn't get the train set that Christmas. I received it on my birthday six months later...

DeepanKrispanEven · 19/12/2016 07:50

Give him the coal, bring out the presents later.