Or is a birthday list at John Lewis the done thing for a 6 yr old ?

[katwith3kittens]

I've just been told in the playground that one mummy who is having a joint birthday party with 2 other children has set up an account at john lewis so everyone can contribute to an expensive present for her child instead of bringing a gift on the day.

Not sure what the other 2 mums are going to do now.

Is this acceptable or just plain selfish ?

Its DPs birthday today..... Should I have registered him somewhere for gifts then?

Perhaps we should just be giving out a child's bank account details & asking party guests to put the money straight into their account!!!

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! My 7 yr old DS has just had a party after we gave him a choice - 1 big party and a small present, or 'special' tea with us and a big pressie. He chose the party (he said because then he could get lots of presents - not just 1! ) but truth is, he just loved being the leader and having his whole class in his house!!
We hired a magician and all the kids brought presents that they had obviously picked out - if anyone asked what to get him I just said, make sure you don't spend a lot, and be grateful if its not huge size wise as we don't have the room.
Its the whole point - eating loads of rubbish food, running wild for an hour or two, unwrapping a load of gear, saying thank you, kids saying thank you for having me, writing thank you notes, inviting you back to their party, asking at school the next week whether you enjoyed the bratz doll you'd been given, getting involved e.t.c. What is this woman breeding for goodness sakes - can't wait to see this childs wedding list when they grow up!!!

Katylui...This child will be lucky if anybody ever marries him, goodness only knows how he'll turn out!

DH1 says John Lewis "never knowingly under priced"

My cousin has said 'no toys' for her 10 yr old as she is old enough for presents that will be investments for the future i.e jewelery, money etc..

The poor child!

Hmmm maybe I should have a gift list at Monsoon for my birthday party .
At least from looking at this thread and the fact that no-one has jumped up to defend this lady, we know that people like her are deffo in the minority, thank God! I mean, what planet is she on???
KW3W - small present picked out by your lo should suffice - after all it is the thought that counts... she could certainly take a leaf out of Speedymama's book!
How about printing this thread out, shoving it under that woman's nose and then running away very quickly? .

Maybe I should have set up a list for my dd's christening party instead of letting people bring any silver thing they wanted (why is it always silver for christening gifts?). Mind it's only got as far as the bottom of my wardrobe. Be something for her to look at in later life though.

effin' 'eck!!!!

it's a fiver from Argos all the way with our family!!

Bethbe - lol at your cousin! Only jewelery or money as an investment for a 10 year old. Ermm... does jewelery from Argos count as investment or is she looking for antique rings

'Whatever happened to surprise? To delight? To excitiement? '

Ah, but Blu, these sorts of virtues imply imagination, creativity and adventure, characteristics which are seen as having little value in today's society.

Imagine how boring life would be if you knew exactly everything that would happen?

I don't think children should even know these lists exist never mind have one

I feel embarressed to even be asked what I want people to get DD, and usually suggest a book or some pens, that I know won't cost a lot. I know some people who won't take thier children to parties as they cannot afford pressies, but I say having the child there is better than any bit of plastic etc.

No! Is this real?

WTF?

I have never heard anything so riduclous in all my life! the mother is obviously a control freak. Get your own back, don't contribute ti this crazy scheme but don't buy a gift either,instead donate the money you would've spent to a charity in the childs name. Oh and don't forget to tell mummy1.

No way!

no! what is she on? I can quite see that you can get overrun with little toys at a birthday party, particularly if you have loads of guests, but the solution to that is to say no presents, or ask for a goat - or accept what you get gracefully.

I HATED it when mine were little and got 15 little presents to fill there bedroom with junk...

...but to avoid this by asking guests to pool resources????

That's TERRIBLE

Havent read thread, but it seems perfectly reasonable to me. Although I would contribute a little to the account and still take the child a gift so they didnt feel left out.

I see i am in the minority on this one

As usual

My dh once said perhaps we should ask people for something that was suitable for when they were older to avoid the influx of stuff that didn't end up getting played with very much...

...to which I replied - 'So by the time they're 15 people will be buying them a pipe and slippers?!'

No... unwrapping presents is part of the fun - they don't have to be something 'worthwhile'. My 2 have always been happy to send things they've finished with to the charity shop - they appreciate the thought behind the gift chosen for them, look after it and play with it for a year or two and then gain pleasure from the fact that someone else will buy it because they want it and at the same time they'll be raising funds for cancer research. ds1's best friend's dad died of a kidney tumour less than 2 years ago.

I hate the crap that DD gets every birthday, but she loves it. I'm sure she'd be a bit peed off if I bought her a nice new teapot for her birthday (like I got last year for christmas, and was most pleased!) At the end of the day, it's not the mother's birthday, it's the little boys and surely he should be allowed to spend 20 mins ripping paper off boxes, oohing and aahing at what he's got inside. When my DD gets 2 of the same thing she goes 'great, I can give this one to XXXX' (her best friend). One frigging day a year, that's all. I hate to think what his life is like the rest of the time with Mrs Super Control Freak as a mother (I'm ranting, I am sorry, I've been thinking about this all night and my blood has been boiling!!!! )

That's exactly it, isn't it? Don't be a CHILD... we expect you to have adult values and want something tasteful for your birthday? Poor kid - the mother has good intentions but wants him/her to grow up too quickly.