I shouldn't give him these, should I?

[Thickasmince]

Bought DS13 new shin guards as part of Xmas.

He’s just told me today that his big sister (half) has bought him some too, which he specifically asked her for.

I need to keep mine aside and give them to him after he’s had hers, don’t I? She’s only 14, so that’s a big gift from her.

Mine were only £17, but I feel like his pile of presents is teeny as it is, and I’ve already forgotten to get him an iPad case

Every year this happens between me and his dad, thought we’d finally cracked it

Could you pop out and get him an iPad case tomorrow?

I’m considering going just now! I can’t face the shops tomorrow. I should be able to get one in Tesco.

Anyone need anything?

I need some more tonic please, I’m nearly out and I still have stuff to do. I’ll square with you when you drop it off! :o

All out of tonic Incy iPad case purchased, at least. Plus another £40 of unnecessary crap, of course!

Good save Mince!

Is it the height of laziness to just whack a sticky bow on a football, rather than wrap it? Another stupid purchase I make every year!

Soda water, please, I couldn’t find any the other day.

Cut wrapping paper into strips to wrap a ball, easy.

Does he have a PlayStation or Xbox? Games are always good! I would return the shin pads if needed or put them as a small present so he can have them as spares. Next year ask him who he has asked for what.

He has an Xbox, but the only game he wants isn’t out yet. I’m just going to give him the shinnies after his sister does. Spares are handy anyway, as he goes to football from both homes.

Wrapping the ball in strips. Did think of that, and it is going as well as can be expected

Wrap the ball as a cracker. Looooong strip of paper lengthways, roll the ball up in it, tie ball at either end with string, fancy ribbon, that curly foily type stuff, whatever. Looks like a really shit bon bon, but it's a feck of a lot easier.

Or (and I admit to doing this) wrap it so crappily it could be anything. TV aerial, grapefruit knives, a book, a Mickey Mouse figure. Cover over with at least a round of sellotape on every angle. It avoids any judginess over your present wrapping if you deliberately set out to be shite.

Don't give them to him; you risk yours being better and her feeling shit. I have had to take back my main wrappable present for dd (a dressing gown) because ds bought her one.

I'm a bit pissed off - but also pleased that he's actually thought about what she might like, and gone and bought it.

I've fashioned a beautiful IOU for a pair of boots, and am off to Penneys in the morning to try to get my hands on some PJs [sigh]

PutUpWithRain is right - wrap to disguise.

I've used all the Amazon delivery boxes to disguise my (frankly pathetic) presents this year. Anything box shaped immediately looks expensive.

That ball is wrapped! It is indeed shite, but I’m not attempting anything else. Shall bear the cracker idea in mind for next year though!

Maryz mine won’t be better, he specifically told her he ones he wanted and she did good and got them. I just picked ones hat matched his strip Anyway, she never sees him play, and she’ll be away back to her mums by then time I give him mine.

Compared to this time last year the supermarkets round here are surprisingly ‘quiet’ iykwim, busy but not crazy, every aisle rammed with people and bare shelves busy. Can only say this for where we are (North East) so it might not be as bad as you’d imagined.

That's fine then

I'm a believer in encouraging kids to give eachother presents so that I don't have to buy for them so if she was there when you gave him yours that'd be a bit shit.

'cut wrapping paper into strips to wrap a ball'.

Mind blown.

Cut wrapping paper into strips to wrap a ball, easy

Genius. Absolutely genius.