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Original poster

Raised eyebrow at niece’s Christmas list

251 replies

Princessmushroom · 14/11/2018 22:31

Mostly posting for traffic. For context we are an early 30s childfree couple.

We received our niece’s Christmas wish list, (well husband’s niece), she’s just turned 13 and I have to admit that I raised an eye brow that 95% of her wishlist were some plastic horse toys of some sort. Popped on to Amazon to buy some and the recommended age was 4-10 years old IIRC. The upper suggested age was definitely 10.

It made me think about toys when I was 13 years old. I didn’t really have any apart from my favourite stuffed animals. I was all about make up, music, posters, books and magazines. I don’t have any siblings to compare to (20 year age gap) and my friends didn’t really have toys at 13 either.

So my question is if you or your children still had lots of toys or got new toys like this (plastic horses, Barbies etc) aged 13?

(We obviously did buy something from her wishlist, just to clarify).

OP posts:
BringOnTheScience · 14/11/2018 22:48

I'm guessing that they're Schleich horses? Collecting breed sets is A Thing and they're lovely. My DC1 has loads!

KurriKurri · 14/11/2018 22:48

Is it the collectible german make of toy horses ? Some of those have a higher age range than you have said if that makes you more comfortable. (14yrs is the upper age, but again - not a rule, a suggestion)

MerlinsScarf · 14/11/2018 22:50

I was expecting the opposite story here, that's quite refreshing! I don't think it's too unusual to keep up a particular collection (I bet she likes to display them rather than playing with them, particularly if as PPs have said she's keen on horses), were they something like the Schleich range? I could imagine someone collecting those after the recommended age.

Couchpotato3 · 14/11/2018 22:51

I bought Lego for DS1 until he was in his early 20s. DS2 (17) still loves his cuddly toys. All perfectly normal IMHO.

MerlinsScarf · 14/11/2018 22:51

Sorry, cross post with the other Schleich folk!

KurriKurri · 14/11/2018 22:51

Actually - says 18yrs on some of them.
if it is Schliech, they look nice - might start collecting them myself - thanks for the heads up Grin

Junkmail · 14/11/2018 22:52

I think you’re being a bit unfair. Not all girls are into makeup/magazines/boys/fashion. When I was 13 I was obsessed with animals including horses (I still am tbh 😂) and I would have loved model horses for Christmas. Not everyone likes the same things. I still to this day state when anyone asks me for Christmas present ideas anything except makeup, clothes, perfume, jewellery etc. Maybe she just has different interests than you did at that age. What’s wrong with that?

Bigonesmallone3 · 14/11/2018 22:52

Aww that's lovely.. my DS is 9 it would make me warm inside if he still asked me for lil toys rather than mind numbing technology and designer trainers.
There's no need for people to give OP grief, she's asking a question, as she said they do not have children so no point of reference

WellThisIsShit · 14/11/2018 22:54

What did you want out of this thread PrincessMushroom?

Longdistance · 14/11/2018 22:54

Are they the Schleich horses? If they are they’re beautiful, so much detail in them. My dd plays with them and she’s 9. I’m still glad dd plays with toys.

Moonflower12 · 14/11/2018 22:55

My friend is 62 and still collects Sleisch horses! And real ones.

Original poster
Princessmushroom · 14/11/2018 22:56

@Thunder yep definitely no experience with kids which is why I was asking.

The wishlist is definitely a thing in my husband’s family. Everyone does it and it drives me crazy.

OP posts:
Ohyesiam · 14/11/2018 22:56

Most 13 Year olds are glued to their phones for hours at a time. It will be great to see some of them playing with toys.

Original poster
Princessmushroom · 14/11/2018 22:57

@wellthisisshit

I think I was pretty clear in my OP! I wanted to know if you or your children at 13 had many toys.

I explained we’re a child free couple so didn’t know. Just pondering really. We still got her the things she wanted

OP posts:
Osirus · 14/11/2018 22:58

I played with my toy horses until I was 14. I still have them all and my daughter plays with them now.

I still collect them though and I’m 36!

It’s nice that she’s not rushing to grow up. Not everyone is the same you know, and I rarely wear make up and had no interest at all in my teens.

GlomOfNit · 14/11/2018 22:58

I still played elaborate games and layouts with my (extensive) dollhouse when I was 12 or 13. And I seem to remember asking for a Playmobil farmhouse set when I was 12 from my grandfather, and being gently teased by him about it, but I did get it. I knew I wouldn't be 'playing' with it as such, but it was just so dinky and lovely, and I wanted the little chickens, and ...

and maybe I was rejecting the model for teenage girlhood being promoted at secondary school. I was a late developer and quite immature. I didn't want to be comparing illicit lipsticks in the girls' toilets, or pretending that I really smoked when my mum wasn't looking. And none of this means owt. I grew up (eventually).

OP, why does it matter to you that your DH's niece has slightly atypical interests for a child of her age? What would you prefer her to be into?

BluePheasant · 14/11/2018 22:58

Teenage girls really can’t win can they? If they are into makeup and phones then people disapprove and if they still like toys then they’re being babyish?

Would you be asking the same question if your 13 year old nephew asked for action figures or Lego? Hmm

Cheeeeislifenow · 14/11/2018 22:58

The wishlist is definitely a thing in my husband’s family. Everyone does it and it drives me crazy.

I don't see an issue .people are hard to buy for, surely it's easier if you know what to get them. We do secret santa with dh's family..we all write a list of ideas and there's a 75 limit on it too.much easer imo.

KurriKurri · 14/11/2018 23:00

Yes actually reading back over the OP, maybe I've been a bit unfair - you were only asking OP - apologies Smile

But as I've said, my DD was into toys at 13 and IIRC I was too - although I was moving on to books as my main interest by then - I was never interested in make up, clothes, shoes etc - I'm still not really.

I'm glad you've bought her what she wants - she'll love them I'm sure.

SuperSuperSuper · 14/11/2018 23:00

Maybe other people are buying clothes, music and makeup for her. It's possible that she likes a variety of things. I was into makeup and blingy jewellery (it was 1986!) at 13 but I also had a swingball set, a toy which was aimed at younger kids. I also enjoyed a game of Mouse Trap until I was well into my teens.

littlemisscomper · 14/11/2018 23:01

I'm 29 and I still adore Playmobil! Not that I'd play with it alone, but I'm more excited than the kids when we get it out!! Grin

AjasLipstick · 14/11/2018 23:04

Is it My Little Pony stuff? Some teens like that in a sort of fashionably weird way. Bronies aren't just boys.

EustaciaPieface · 14/11/2018 23:06

I still enjoyed toys when I was 13 - I may not have admitted it to some people at school, but I certainly would have thought I could tell my family. Even if it is a bit odd, what difference does it make to you?

JamAtkins · 14/11/2018 23:06

My dd1 is 13 and hasn’t had toys as presents for years. My 16 yo ds still gets toys but nobody is in such a rush for boys to grow up so his choices aren’t remarked upon. It’s not especially unusual for adult men to recieve Lego or modelling kits. I suppose the female equivalent is dolls houses but they do seem more mockable than men getting Lego.

Enidblyton1 · 14/11/2018 23:07

I’m guessing they are Breyer horses (or possibly Schleich). These are collectibles and I know a few grown women who love them!