Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

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:
franktheskank · 26/12/2017 15:26

Im a millionaire and I would t buy that much for a child.

My 8 year old got a Nintendo switch, 3 games, loads of books a few toys and some nick nacks, plus a stocking full of sweets, little toys and socks.

It's not really about whether you can afford it or not it's more about not wanting to overwhelm a child or spoil them.

Plus like all said if you buy them all that this year what will you get the next Christmas/ birthday!?

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

I bought him a Chad valley racing car set,he probably won't use it,not with all the technology anyway.

OP posts:
Original poster
Petalsintheair · 26/12/2017 15:27

I love her but some of her choices are stupid.
Yesterday her Facebook was "finally it's here,all the stress,and worries if he has enough"
I couldn't even reply to the status

OP posts:
ImogenTubbs · 26/12/2017 15:30

That's an INSANE amount and expense of presents for anyone of any age and any level of wealth.

BendydickCuminsnatch · 26/12/2017 15:35

Yeah, that's sickening. Does he know the value of these things/appreciate them at least?

Atalune · 26/12/2017 15:38

I feel sorry for her, why so insecure? And the stress and worry of it for her.

What’s the child like? Is he nice?

cocoboots · 26/12/2017 15:44

oh dear....

MrGrumpy01 · 26/12/2017 15:47

For those saying 'what about next year?' I know someone like that, they just replace the previous year's presents with a slightly better version.

Aeroflotgirl · 26/12/2017 15:47

It is affecting op, as her sister wants to borrow money from her as she's overspent. Yes it is a ridiculous amount ford child.

SammySays · 26/12/2017 15:51

I don’t think it’s too much. It’s a lot yes but if you can afford it then good for you!

SammySays · 26/12/2017 15:53

Ahh sorry posted before reading the full thread. In this case it clearly is not something the giver can afford so yes it is too much. If she could afford it though then gift away!

Potato25 · 26/12/2017 15:54

I would only give my child one of those items and a few small things so they don't turn out to be spoiled horrors.

FinnegansCake · 26/12/2017 15:54

It sounds as though your sister has issues that need addressing. That list is both crazy and obscene. No one needs all that in one go, least of all a child. Each “big” (ie expensive) present takes the shine off the previous big one, as there are so many that nothing is actually outstanding.

How will your nephew ever learn a sense of value? He’s going to grow up jaded and constantly dissatisfied.

Your sister is setting her son a terrible example. It would already be ridiculous to give him all that if she could afford it, it’s even more appalling that she’s getting into debt to provide all this.

It sounds to me as though she is trying to compensate for inadequacies (real or imagined) in her parenting/family set-up. Kids don’t need all that stuff. What they need is to feel important in their parents’ eyes through the attention they pay them and the way they listen to them, not through the amount of money they spend on them.

To be honest, that list of presents both shocked and sickened me.

buddhababy123 · 26/12/2017 15:55

It sounds as though your sister may have shopping/spending addiction, or some kind of self-esteem or anxiety issues. Is there anyone who could gently suggest some therapy/mindfulness to her? To go into debt buying presents is quite alarming and it sounds as if she needs some professional help.

CalmingBalm · 26/12/2017 15:55

Just crazy

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 26/12/2017 15:57

Far far too much.
If she had the money with out putting herself into debt or asking you for money that would be very different.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 26/12/2017 15:59

Mind you even if I could afford all that I wouldn't indulge a child. No good will ever come from spoiling a child.

harrietsoton · 26/12/2017 16:00

Definitely too much as she clearly can’t afford it all

Gileswithachainsaw · 26/12/2017 16:05

Good grief? Where is she going to put all this when they can't pay the rent?

If she could afford it is say it was ridiculous but each to their own.

But given they cant afford it and most will be broken or grown out of way before it's finished being paid for it's madness.

Why buy the bike and scooter now? It's too cold and wet to use them. Could have got a bigger or more adult one for birthday or in summer and hit way more use out of it.

Tv could have waited til sales. In fact all the electronics probably could. And what does an 8 yr old need a phone for?

Madness

listsandbudgets · 26/12/2017 16:14

Afraid I agree with everyone else. Far far too much - if it was spread over 4 years of Christmas and birthdays it might be about right. In a sense its rather sad for all involved - we COULD afford to give her DC's that much all at once but absolutely would not choose to - what's her DC expecting next year? A spaceship, his own cruise liner, a round the world trip?

Don't subsidise her OP. Sadly she'll have to take something back and chances are her DC won't even notice she has with the amount they've been given :(

RupertsMum2 · 26/12/2017 16:17

My friend used to do this to her son and she could afford it. Now he's grown up he is always dissatisfied and nothing is ever good enough for him. He flits from job to job as "they are all boring". His indulged childhood has not prepared him well for adult life.

Stoptherideiwannagetoff · 26/12/2017 16:22

In the nicest possible festive way, she is an absolute winkle!

Beltane18 · 26/12/2017 16:25

It's ten times too much or maybe a hundred

But more importantly what about financial stability?!

TwoBobs · 26/12/2017 16:26

Jesus! The first 7 items would last 7 years of main presents for my kids! I'll admit, I go overboard on pressies for my kids at Xmas. I probably spend about £300 each on my two but alot of it is practical stuff that they would've been given anyway like lunch boxes, shower gel, books, drinks containers, school bags, clothes etc.
They are 7 and 9 and they have a tablet each, a bike and a scooter. No games consoles or TVs in rooms as yet. This year they got a £20 spy camera each for their bikes. The most we spent on one present was a toy second hand for £50 (original price £100) that will get played with every single day for the next couple of years.
I go overboard but even reading that list for that 8yo has me gobsmacked!!!!!

TTCI · 26/12/2017 16:26

No that is an unrealistic expectation of what they should get it's far too high it's not fair in other children which we should give a shit about and they will not know anything about value for money also can't help but feel this kid oils be a total brat :/