Raised eyebrow at niece’s Christmas list

[Princessmushroom]

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).

I still ask for children's books for Christmas. I am thinking of also asking for old annuals and comics this year as well.

"What do you think the raised eyebrows were all about then? What do you think is the purpose of her OP?"

If my 13 year old niece asked for, say, a doll for her birthday I would probably feel like raising my eyebrows and might ask on here if that was usual for her age.
It wouldn't mean I was sneering or bitching, just looking for reassurance that it's quite normal for a child her age to still ask for something like that.

I am childless and also think you sound unpleasant op. What relevance is it shes your husbands blood relative not yours? Why are you trying to imply she is weird and babyish and asking strangers? Obviously her parents are fine with it so why are you asking strangers? 13 is still a child and perfectly acceptable to still play with toys. Also to the poster that mentioned bronies shudder bronies are not good. Its a highly disturbing little cult.

I used to love playing with dolls at what felt at the time was an embarrassing age (probably 13ish), I would always hide them away so my Mum didn’t know (even though I doubt she’d have cared but I just thought other people would think it was so babyish). I’d love it if my DD is still keen on playing at 13, nothing wrong with it at all!

If my 13 year old niece asked for, say, a doll for her birthday I would probably feel like raising my eyebrows and might ask on here if that was usual for her age

But why? That’s what she has asked for...
If everyone said no, buy her x - what does that achieve? She gets gifts she doesn’t want but you think she should have 🤔

I can see that might be more appropriate if she’d asked for something like an 18 rated film.

That's not what I meant Believe.

I meant I would think it unusual for a 13 year old to ask for a doll. Not that I would think it 'wrong' or refuse to buy it.

Why are you mentioning 18 rated films? Talk about exaggeration and making leaps.

Some people really do like to be bitchy and unpleasant.

And I'm not talking about the OP.

If it’s Breyer horses they are actually collectibles so it’s not weird at all

95% of her wishlist were some plastic horse toys of some sort

Definitely seems like a collector, rather than someone who'd play with them like a young child would.

Maybe she thinks that, as family, you are a 'safe' person to ask for these presents as you will not judge.

My DD collected Schleich, then Breyer, horses until well into her teens. Plenty of adults collect Breyer, they are not cheap! If you would like to see the creativity and imagination that can go in to playing with Schleich, have a look at YouTube, these videos are not made by 6 year olds.

In my early 40s and still like some cuddly toys . Not ashamed of it either and don't care what anyone else thinks.

Recommended age ranges are a lot of crap, ok for people who don't know a child or haven't got a list like you have but otherwise a waste of time. Surprised anyone would think 13 was too old for toys personally. My 15 year old had some toys last year age 14 and I played with dolls until I was 12 which isn't that far off. My 15yo has only been interested in make up for the past year and only eyebrow stuff really.

@Nithashi - the site does not allow advertising posts.

My eldest DD is 13, she's fourteen in february. She's asked for make up and money. I ve encouraged her to look at a couple of gift guides and she's added a couple of cuddly toys to her list. Many adults like things that might be considered childish and I don't think there is anything wrong in that

I was horse mad and collected Breyers through my teens, they're the only 'toys' I have left from my childhood and I have them out on the bookcases in my bedroom. Judge not eh OP ;)

I think it's unusual for a 13 year old to be still playing with toys. Not wrong or unnatural, but just not the norm.

That being said, I think children often move on from childhood pursuits far too quickly nowadays. It would be nice if there was some kind of phase between toys and make up. I really think there was a couple of generations ago, but now girls in particular seem to be whizzed through childhood and straight into young adulthood.

It is normal to still play at 13 and healthy in my view. My daughter is 11 and I know she will still be playing imaginatively for years to come.

I think horse toys are lovely. I’m early 30’s now and I loved horses as a child. I always wanted my own. And I played with horse toys for a looong time. Finally had my own horse at 17. I wouldn’t think it’s strange it’s probably something she loves very much. Not all kids are old before their time and wishing their childhood away.

I thought you were going to say underwear and expensive make up!
This makes a very pleasant change

DD is 13 and has asked for a toy horse and some dolls clothes for Christmas. Shock horror!!! She'll get them too, play with them, dress the dolls etc etc. She also loves technology, (some) make up, music and fashion. She's an individual - half way between child and adult.

I'm delighted that she still wants to play with toys. It's not weird or odd at all, perfectly normal. As another pp says, it shows imagination and creativity.

How many adults play with Lego?

My middle DS, aged 15, still loves his Lego. Yes, he collects, and yes he is an artistic sort who uses the original basic bricks to make clever and beautiful creations. But he also just plays with them, flying superhero minifigs through the air and having epic tiny lightsaber battles. He is extremely mature, he shaves every day, he has strong friendships and has a girlfriend and manages his life independently. But his head is full of stories, and downtime, for him, is playing them out. Perhaps your niece is similarly imaginative It's a wonderful thing. That son is the one I never have to peel off a screen.

Step daughter is 14 and very grown up, yet she still has her sylvanians all set up in her spare room and says she still likes to go and play with them occasionally, so what? She's still a child.

I would sounder my self at 13 kids these days got two much gadgets my 9 yr old son stop playing with toys long time ago my girls is on 8 and luvs her dolls not so sure if she still will at 13 thougt