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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To give dd a passport as one of her christmas gifts?

60 replies

NapQueen · 07/11/2017 20:17

She will have just turned six. Dh and I havent been abroad since before she was born which is why she doesnt have one yet.

However she is desperate to go on an airplane. My sister travels a lot and I think dd is in awe of the places she goes so I figured I could get away with giving her the passport, and maybe one of those scratch maps for christmas.

Itll probably take up half the budget, but as she is so young shes content with cheaper presents so I will be able to bulk it out with "tat" she likes.

Aibu to "gift" somethig which probably most other passport owning kids just get as a standard necessity?

OP posts:
justdontevenfuckingstart · 07/11/2017 20:20

I did this last year. DD2 was 18 tho, we've never travelled. She wanted it so that's what I did. Bit different at 6 tho.

If it's just the plane thing you can book a pleasure flight. Duxford do them.

Whatslovegottodo · 07/11/2017 20:21

Will you, or your sister, be taking her on a plane with her passport at any time in the near future?
If not it may be a disappointment to have it as a gift. If you are planning a trip then yes do it if she will be really excited.

NapQueen · 07/11/2017 20:22

I will definetly take her on a plane next year, even if its just an overnighter in the uk.

OP posts:
ShatnersBassoon · 07/11/2017 20:22

Is there any chance of her getting to use it? It would be a bit disappointing to get a passport with no accompanying '...and we're going to Spain!' moment.

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 07/11/2017 20:23

Won't she assume she's going to be actually travelling on a plane? I'd imagine she'll be gutted when she realises she won't be using it any time soon.

ItsAMessyLife · 07/11/2017 20:24

I think a passport will confuse her and she may end up disappointed when she realises she's not actually getting on a plane.

Lethaldrizzle · 07/11/2017 20:24

You can gift it but I wouldn't take it out of her present budget.

daisypond · 07/11/2017 20:24

I think a six-year-old wouldn't quite get what a passport was for - they're more likely to think that a plane/holiday has been booked and is imminent - like the next day.

missymayhemsmum · 07/11/2017 20:25

I'm thinking of doing this for DD's 11th birthday, along with eurostar tickets to Paris as she wants to go up the eiffel tower

MyBrilliantDisguise · 07/11/2017 20:26

No, sorry, I think it's absolutely pointless unless she's going to use it very soon after Christmas, and even then she's too young to be thrilled with it.

NapQueen · 07/11/2017 20:27

Id love to take her on a flight with it as soon as possible afterwards. She just wants to go on an airplane and knows she needs a passport to do so.

But I hear what you are saying.

OP posts:
YellowMakesMeSmile · 07/11/2017 20:28

I wouldn't gift a passport, tickets yes but not the passport as it's just one of those things parents buy for their child.

VivienneWestwoodsKnickers · 07/11/2017 20:28

Only worth it if part of she's getting a plane trip to use it on. She'll be looking for that after the passport, so she'd be better to open the two together. Can any family assist with chipping in as her gift? Even from, say a trip to somewhere short-haul in Europe or the UK for one night?

If not, save this for another time.

Allthewaves · 07/11/2017 20:29

Unless your going abroad it's waste of money tbh. I think child passports only last 5 years. I fly in uk with kids and they don't need id.

ShatnersBassoon · 07/11/2017 20:29

You'd be better off putting the cost of a passport towards some domestic flights, if it's going on a plane she wants rather than going abroad.

AccidentalyRunToWindsor · 07/11/2017 20:29

You wouldn’t need a passport for an internal flight- could you buy her some tickets for that instead?

StillGotTheTreeUp · 07/11/2017 20:35

My parents did a similar thing and we flew to Italy, for the day!

Deffo gift a flight too, not just the passport. If budget it tight I'd wait.

Lucked · 07/11/2017 20:36

I don't think a passport is a present unless it is for an adult who needs help with the cost and asks for it.

Easyjets websites implies children don't need photographic id for internal flights so unless you are planning on going abroad it would be a waste of money to get it until you need it as it only lasts 5 years.

wrenika · 07/11/2017 20:39

I wouldn't. It's not really a 'gift' - even for a kid who really wants to use one - it's just something parents should get for their kid if they need it.

Raver84 · 07/11/2017 20:41

I wouldn't. Unless you have a flight to go with it. She is quite young...would someone like this be ok for her my dd loves hers.

www.argos.co.uk/product/6065142

If she is six she mag like the journey girls range of dolls if she's into travels.

PoppyPopcorn · 07/11/2017 20:42

A first child passport costs about £50. Shop smart, and you could get a return flight to Belfast or Glasgow for that.

TheHumanSatsuma · 07/11/2017 20:43

If you have a small trip, and explain to her what a passport is for , using your sister as an example, I think it is a brilliant idea. Very “grown up.”

But, you do need to make the trip fairly soon after, or involve her in the planning of a trip.

NamasteNiki · 07/11/2017 20:44

Id love to take her on a flight with it as soon as possible afterwards. She just wants to go on an airplane and knows she needs a passport to do so.

Scotland.
Northern Ireland
Isle of Man
Jersey

She does not need a passport to get on a plane.

CoolCarrie · 07/11/2017 20:47

That bear case and passport set is very cute.

PandorasXbox · 07/11/2017 20:47

Sorry I wouldn’t. It’s a bit of a cop out as a Christmas present especially for a child that age!