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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Buying children books for presents

75 replies

ToddlerIs2 · 22/05/2017 22:40

Is it really mean?

Bought a friends DC a couple of books for their birthday and she seems really... unappreciative? Because there educational not fun... Except books ARE fun, even at 1. Surely? It makes noise and is bright and they can play read it and books are awesome

OP posts:

CowParsleyNettle · 23/05/2017 11:19

Books are great. DS is 2 and 'reads' everything! He asks everyone that comes round to read to him and he'll often take himself off at nursery to sit in the corner looking at books. IMO they're the best present for children as even a cheap book is better than none.

Although we did have issues last month when I removed 17 of them from his cot, he couldn't actually find any space to sleep 😂

sadlovedgirl · 23/05/2017 11:21

The only thing better than books as a present is a voucher to go to Waterstones the shops and buy books!

Cutesbabasmummy · 23/05/2017 11:21

My 2 year old DS loves books but I have always read to him from a newborn. Maybe your friend doesn't like books so isn't getting her children into them. But I think they are a wonderful gift x

FreeButtonBee · 23/05/2017 11:52

I often buy books as presents but tend to steer clear of the obvious ones and chose slightly more off the wall options (what 4 yo hasn't got the Gruffalo?!).

shinyredbus · 23/05/2017 11:55

i always buy books as gifts! Book People do absolutely amazing deals on books and in my daughters party bags at her birthday party, i put a book into the bag along with some other stuff - cost about 50p each as we bought one of those mega book bundles. YANBU.

Elledouble · 23/05/2017 12:11

My son (aged two) loves books! His favourite changes all the time so he's always excited to receive new ones.

RainbowChasing · 23/05/2017 12:23

As a child I loved getting books for presents...and I still do now. I also love it when people buy my dd books at birthdays/Christmas. It cuts down on the bright pink plastic clutter that we seem to accumulate twice a year, plus it gives me something new to read to her at bedtimes.

Rockhopper81 · 23/05/2017 12:29

I always give my nephews and niece a book as part of their Christmas/birthday present. The oldest will be 13 this year and I'll still do it for him. I try not to buy obvious titles - I know they've already got The Gruffalo etc. - but I've found some that have captures the imagination of a couple of them who are reluctant readers. Said nephew who will be 13 - I bought him a novel aimed at 8-12 year olds about WW1 and he loved it, yet was really not a great fan of reading.

I also buy books as Christening gifts for family, generally book sets - Mr. Men, Peter Rabbit, Little Miss etc.

They've always been well received. I'm also guilty of buying them books from places like The Works when we're out because I'm a sucker who finds it hard to say no to a book...

Yura · 23/05/2017 13:20

i LOVE getting books for mine - we get enough noisy plastic cr** as it is, and books are fun, don't take up a lot of space and can be handed down to other children. wush we would get more!

Yura · 23/05/2017 13:22

i even put the little mr men books in my son's party bags at his last birthday

Original poster

ToddlerIs2 · 23/05/2017 18:03

SaucyJack. Is performance present buying a thing?
Eh? You think I came on here to show off for buying a book??

DId she say thank you? How did she not seem appreciative well it was keen thank you before opening it ten disdainful "educational toy" comment afterwards

OP posts:

Original poster

ToddlerIs2 · 23/05/2017 18:05

Loving the books in party badge idea, will keep it for 3rd birthday party

OP posts:

Sonotkylie · 30/05/2017 10:10

Not mean. If I didn't buy books, I wouldn't buy anything ....

ToastyFingers · 30/05/2017 10:29

DH has a friend who 'hates books'.
Her poor ds never gets read to and she gets awfully sneery at people who buy him books.

It just makes me sad if I'm honest, we're a household of readers and although I respect that not everyone is, surely reading to your children is just something you do as part of looking after them? (If they can sit still long enough).

Moanyoldcow · 30/05/2017 10:42

My son adores books (as do we) and I'm always happy to receive and give them.

The only issue is he has lots and I quite often end up with duplicates.

olympicsrock · 30/05/2017 11:08

I frequently give books as presents when my 5 year old son goes to a party. Lovely to have new bed time stories to read!

Beeziekn33ze · 30/05/2017 13:20

Books are great presents at any age. The Baby's Catalogue came into being because Janet and Allan Ahlberg noticed their little daughter Jessica was so enjoying turning the pages of the Mothercare catalogue!
The Jolly Postman was prompted by Jessica's interest in her parents' mail, apparently she loved opening an envelope and looking at its contents!

Daisies123 · 30/05/2017 13:22

Books are a fabulous gift. Far better than getting toys cos who needs more plastic tat?! My toddler loves them (she makes towers of them as well as 'reading' them!) and she's loved them ever since she's been able to turn the pages herself- she's had a bedtime story every night from three months old.

At least if the family isn't into reading you've provided the child with a book so they won't miss out entirely.

I give book presents up to about age five or six, then a book token so they can choose their own books. It's also worth buying in a bookshop and asking the bookseller's advice about books for x age that aren't the obvious, to avoid the five copies of the Gruffalo problem.

Daisies123 · 30/05/2017 13:24

Plus, there is no excuse for being rude about a present. I've still thanked people and looked grateful (I hope!) when DD has been given plastic tat!

Radishal · 30/05/2017 13:33

The Cat In The Hat - brilliant present for the tiniest. I got it myself as a tot and always give it.
Brilliant rhythm, anarchy AND tidying up.
"Look at me! Look at me! Look at me NOW! "

I remember my mum reading it to me and reading it myself.

BakewellSliceAgain · 30/05/2017 13:48

Just lost my post about my childhood trauma of a mum who disapproved of buying books and of my Dad buying me books.

It was quite cathartic but l'll not bore you.

I buy books for children quite a lot!

MommaGee · 30/05/2017 14:20

I did slightly veto books for DS's birthday this year but only because we have sooooo many its very hard not to duplicate. Still had them off 2 or 3 people which is nice

elfen101 · 02/06/2017 11:06

Books are awesome presents, I like getting books for LO as it's something to read at bedtime and to read together. He likes sitting with me or dad and looking at books/being read to and slapping the books!

Bagel88 · 02/06/2017 12:42

It's ok not to like books - it simply means that someone hasn't found the right one for them.
Once they do, the world will be opened for imagination, fun or facts

PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon · 02/06/2017 12:48

DD is 1 and loves books. If people ask me what to get (birthday/Christmas) I asked for books.
Education IS fun at 1. They love learning

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