To think that Christmas presents should be fun and not too functional?

[Tartpop]

So my sister has suggested I buy clothes and shoes for my niece and nephew for Christmas. Not even fun clothes and shoes. I have been sent links to buy to plain jeans and shoes.

DNeice is 10 and DNephew is 7.

I can't think for one moment that they want jeans and plain shoes for Christmas.

DSister is not skint.

Christmas is not a way of getting out of buying your children the basics surely?

AIBU?

I hate that poem, if the child NEEDS something like a pair of shoes it’s the parents job to provide it, I also don’t think everyday clothes are a gift for a child, they are a necessity.

but how do you know a child will like what you have chosen or might already have the same item?

Because i only buy presents for close friends and family so know what they like and have. I don't buy presents for people I don't know.

Moneywise, your son may have had his but having seen parents PST that the money has funded x, y and z and not something fun or chosen by the child I've stopped gifting it for parties.

I'd rather give money than mundane things like clothes. I'm just not into giving for the sake of it, which it seems it would be as your sister can't think of anything for you to give.

i hate being given links to presents for nephews and nieces - especially amazon links. It feels so grabby and utilitarian.

Ideas are fine, but actual links to the online store are not fine.

I might buy DNephew a massive nerf gun or 30 £1 pieces of tat from the £1 store just to make a point.

He would love a nerf gun!!!

Yes to the Nerf guns for both of them. They're great fun.

And I hate that “Something to...” poem. So dull and puritanical.

And twee. Don't forget twee.

In this instance though I'd go with what DS wants. They probably already have tonnes of toys.

Nerf guns are fab, not known a child who doesn't like them.

My friend did this, I asked what her 4 year old DD wanted for Xmas and she said well she's getting a coat off grandma, boots off my brother, and lots of other people are getting her clothes so I don't know what you can get her, what do you think?
I said something fun that she will enjoy opening! (I got wooden toys though, not plastic tat as I know she does have a lot of that!)

Oh and that poem - so bloody TWEE. Need and wear - nope. Want and read - yes.

I think as kids they should be fun gifts but I prefer stuff I actually use now rather than “gag” gifts, they’re just a waste of money

Perhaps she likes your taste, OP?

Why shouldn't a gift be something used every day or every week and be practical not fun? Seems OK to me.

Why not some clothes they wouldn't normally have, extra sparkle or special trainers?

I hate clutter and tat, toys get discarded after a couple of days. At least clothes are useful.

What a wrong with something practical?

I find it more annoying when I get gifts that aren't useful or practical that clutter my house up and never get used.

When I get some clothes for family kids they're usually a bit nicer than the ones mum would get day to day. As their mum says, we wouldn't normally justify getting x y z but they're nice items to have.

DH and I are using that poem for our stockings. We've got each other a main present for under the tree but decided this year to go for simplicity. It's not been boring at all. In fact it's been quite fun getting things for each category in secret.

Ds2 loves receiving gifts of clothes, and he mostly likes plain tops and jeans or joggers. He'd be unimpressed with a nerf gun.

Ds1 would love a gun, and be okay with clothes.

I get why a person wouldn't want their DC to receive mountains of tat tbh.

I hate that poem. Just because something rhymes, doesn't make it true/ right...

DD used to scrawl ‘cuddlies not clothes’ in capitals at the start of her Christmas list pretty much every year until she turned about 12.

I give money and a small gift at those ages. This year nieces are getting £15 and a box of gelli baff.

I do know what you mean but I wonder if the things she has linked to might be things the kids have asked for. My girls get given loads of pretty, sparkly, fun tops and jeans but when they choose for themselves they often choose really plain things.

Maybe she just doesn't want more 'stuff' I've started to suggest to family that if they want to gift something that they gift their time. Maybe tickets to the local soft play or trampoline place?