Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you think this is too much for a child at Christmas?

124 replies

Petalsintheair · 26/12/2017 14:26

This is for a 8 year old
PlayStation VR
Scooter
Bike
50 inch tv
Crazy cart car
Nintendo switch
Keyboard
10 small toys
4 board games
Samsung phone

OP posts:
Tistheseason17 · 26/12/2017 14:59

She needs to take stuff back.
Keeping a child warm, clothed and fed is what comes first. Not big flashy presents that won't keep him warm at night.
Always bills first.

MoonlightMedicine · 26/12/2017 14:59

What on earth will he get for his birthday or next Christmas? He’ll have it all already!!

ColdTattyWaitingForSummer · 26/12/2017 15:00

If your sister was rich, it would be none of anyone else's business.. It would maybe seem more than the child needs, but likely wouldn't harm them. But to get into debt in order to give such a huge amount of stuff usually indicates an underlying issue or insecurity.

Namechangetempissue · 26/12/2017 15:00

Yes, that is ridiculous IF you can't pay for it. I wouldn't be lending money in those circumstances. I don't care what people buy their children, but if they then come to me asking to give them my money to get them out of debt because they have spent so much they can piss off.

Mushroomwellington · 26/12/2017 15:00

A 50 inch tv. Wtf!
Don’t like the ridiculous mass consumerism of Christmas, but I guess it’s not really any of my business what other people choose to spend their money on, but.. a 50 inch tv bloody hell!

Glumglowworm · 26/12/2017 15:01

Normally I’d say it’s none of your business, but if you’re being asked to basically subsidise it then it is your business.

Any amount of presents that leaves someone struggling to pay for essentials is too much.

noblegiraffe · 26/12/2017 15:01

PlayStation VRs aren't to be used by children under 12, it says in the health and safety warning.

SteX · 26/12/2017 15:03

Totally nailed it, Carouselfish.

FlouncyDoves · 26/12/2017 15:04

Did you give her the money? You’re a mug if so.

overnightangel · 26/12/2017 15:05

Your sister sounds crackers

Hopeful103 · 26/12/2017 15:06

I think your sister is doing a bad job of parenting. She's teaching him that material things matter most and it's about quantity. And she's now begging and borrowing. Pathetic.

TantrumsNSprouts · 26/12/2017 15:07

Bonkers.

Abra1d · 26/12/2017 15:09

What is left to give him next year or for his birthday?

EmilyChambers79 · 26/12/2017 15:10

Seems a lot and none of it particularly cheap.

What's a crazy cart car?

I sort of stick to the rule that anyone can buy what they like for their children. It doesn't affect me, it's not my money and it's not my child.

However I've a relative who constantly (daily) asks to lend a tenner for this that or the other but will spend their entire month's pay in two days on clothes, trainers and make up. At one point I was paying for her weekly food shop so if it's having that sort of impact, I'd have to say something.

splendide · 26/12/2017 15:11

She must have a massive house anyway

DeStijl · 26/12/2017 15:13

None of it is exciting because there too much of it. It takes the shine off of those big expensive items when you've just been given a truck load of them and now your mum can't afford food Confused
Where do you go from there? What's left to appreciate and look forward to for subsequent Christmases and birthdays?
Very odd.

Frustratedboarder · 26/12/2017 15:16

Only got as far as item number 3 before I thought 'fuck me!!' so I would say that yes, I think it's too much .... Grin

Therealjudgejudy · 26/12/2017 15:16

Your sister is an idiot. What's the point buying him all that tech if she can't afford to pay for the electricity to allow him to use them??

People's stupidity amazes me.

BenLui · 26/12/2017 15:18

She needs to take stuff back if she now can’t afford her bills.

swingofthings · 26/12/2017 15:18

What are they going to get him for his birthday next year and the year after? He will either be very disappointed, or they will be even poorer. What do you get at 9yo when you've got all this already?

Finderscrispy · 26/12/2017 15:19

it sounds like she’s likely bought them on credit so won’t make much difference to her immediate cash flow, it will though when she’s starts having to make the repayments in the new year.
I don’t like to judge people that make bad financial decisions, there’s usually a whole host of emotional dysfunction behind it. Perhaps encourage her to return some of the stuff and get some help budgeting from a debt organisation, like step change.

PersianCatLady · 26/12/2017 15:21

I take it he already has the PS4 and other things needed to use the VR??

Original poster
Petalsintheair · 26/12/2017 15:25

I haven't lent her a penny.
He has all sorts
Last year was a X box too
Already has a PlayStation (no idea what number /Kind)
A phone last year
Where does it end tho? Every year she's going to need more for him.
The irony is today I went over and he is playing on his I pad (2 year ago present) presents just dumped on floor.

OP posts:
Original poster
Petalsintheair · 26/12/2017 15:25

Oh and a gaming chair

OP posts:
Rossigigi · 26/12/2017 15:26

If she's struggling now, and has taken out all of these loans, how will she meet the repayments?'