Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

Is this a terrible birthday present?

96 replies

Frazzels · 27/04/2019 20:06

I'm thinking of decorating DS's bedroom for his 8th birthday. He's not asked for anything in particular this year but a few months ago he got his own bedroom and no longer has to share with his little sister. We haven't done much with the bedroom yet just kind of shoved everything from his old bedroom in there when we moved and his old room wasn't too nice either so it's a bit of a mess. I was thinking of redoing the whole bedroom perhaps into a football theme as he loves football and having as his main birthday present, possibly as a surprise. Is this an odd birthday present?

OP posts:

XiCi · 27/04/2019 20:38

I agree with pp that I wouldn't consider this a present. I think decorating your child's room in a style they'd like is just something all parents should do. But I suppose if there are other tangible presents he can open it would be a nice surprise for it all to be finished on his birthday

EnchantingRaven · 27/04/2019 20:38

I think it’s a great idea OP, my mum done this for me when I was around 9/10 and I was over the moon! It will be his own, personalised space which I’m sure he’ll love

jomaIone · 27/04/2019 20:39

I probably wouldn't want my living room painted for my birthday so wouldn't be fair to do it for my child!

Singlebutmarried · 27/04/2019 20:40

I think it’s lovely.

DD asked for new bedding (also 8) as she’s now ‘too grown up’ for her other stuff.

The only other thing she asked for. A where’s wally book.

TwoleftUggs · 27/04/2019 20:43

My dd asked for a bedroom makeover for a 13th birthday. She chose the wallpaper, paint and furniture, and we bought new bedding and some plants and nice bits and bobs for the shelves. She was over the moon with it. I think it can be a good present if that’s what the child wants or you think they would like.

BigDamnHero · 27/04/2019 20:43

I think I'd only do it if he knew and seemed excited. I could see it being amazing for some kids but a massive disappointment for others.

NoHolidaysforyou · 27/04/2019 20:44

I think it can be a birthday present but you need the present to be in the form of artwork or accessories he has selected. These can provide the finishing touches. Not everyone has unlimited budgets for all the art and things DC want in their room so I think it's fair/not spoiling them.

AllosaurusMum · 27/04/2019 20:46

I think it depends. Are you also going to be decorating your daughters room at some point?

LaCastafiore · 27/04/2019 20:48

That wouldn't be a present for me, also because when another child gets their bedroom redecorated outside of their birthday, it doesn't sound great for the birthday child.

As a surprise on his birthday, but with proper gifts on the side, then why not.

supersop60 · 27/04/2019 20:49

It's a great present if it's what he wants. Try asking.

Mummyoflittledragon · 27/04/2019 20:50

Sounds like a great idea for a present. Better something your ds will appreciate than something for the sake of it.

user1486131602 · 27/04/2019 20:50

Yes it is!
Those things are for you to provide as a parent!
You could ask your son to pick things for the room if he hasn't asked for anything in particular.
Take him and his mates to bowling and pizza, always worked for mine!

tor8181 · 27/04/2019 20:51

i dont see this as a present its something you should be doing as a parent anyway

rockingthelook · 27/04/2019 20:51

Brilliant idea, I think if you involve him in the decision re. design etc all the better, great present rather than things he'll get bored of. I did this for one of my children's birthdays, thrilled, I know some people say it's not a present and should be done anyway, but not everyone has the money for both

woolduvet · 27/04/2019 20:52

We obviously decorated the kids rooms. But if they wanted the matching bits and bobs, they really enjoyed buying those with birthday money. It all adds up

tanpestryfirescreen · 27/04/2019 20:53

not a present- do you also gift loo roll and towels?

I still remember 42 years later coming home to find my parents had done my room without ever asking me and I hated it

Beachbodynowayready · 27/04/2019 20:55

Tape the door with black bags. Ban ds until its done. Many many times have my dc had a room makeover. Always well received.
Just done ds's for his 15 th!!

notacooldad · 27/04/2019 20:56

We have done a few themes over the years for the boys bedrooms but it wouldn't occur to me to do it for a birthday present.
It still wouldn't. Having a nice bedroom, to me ,is part and parcel of living in your house and shouldn't be seen as a bonus
However I can see people disagree!!!

FraggleRocking · 27/04/2019 20:56

Great present. My parents did this for me as a child as a surprise. I loved it. Then as a teen I got a budget to spend for a birthday and did it myself again. Also great.

Ragwort · 27/04/2019 20:57

Sounds lovely (& if someone offered to redecorate my bedroom as a birthday gift I would be delighted).

My DH has just offered to buy me a senior citizen railcard as this year’s birthday present .

Original poster

Frazzels · 27/04/2019 20:58

I was thinking about that because my oldest DD already had her room decorated, not completely just put up some things up on the walls and a new desk, draws and bedding. So it might not seem all that great but then if I filled his room with football themed items I couldn't really go wrong and he'd be very happy

OP posts:

EvilDog · 27/04/2019 20:58

I see no problem with it as a present! It’s likely you’d probably spend more on doing it up than you would if it was just a general decorating job what with all the added accessories and special bits that you’d not think of adding normally. go for it! I might steal this idea for my dds next birthday

IncrediblySadToo · 27/04/2019 20:59

I think it’s fine as a present if they haven’t been on about anything else. Kids these days get SO much stuff, it’s not surprising they aren’t hankering for things when it comes to their birthday.

I wouldn’t do it as a surprise, I think it’s far better to involve them and let them choose things/colours. They can really surprise you. It’s definitely ‘presenty’ if you let them choose ‘stuff’ 😊

Beldon · 27/04/2019 21:00

I decorated my sons room for his birthday and he loved it. He got to pick theme and I did it all over couple of weeks when he was away. It was actually a lot of work and expensive, wouldn’t have been able to afford it otherwise. He got a few more smaller gifts but that was his main present.

hsegfiugseskufh · 27/04/2019 21:01

I wouldn’t be happy if my dh decorated a room and called it my birthday present either

Id love it but then we are living in a 70s themed reno with a half functioning kitchen

I think its a lovely idea op! I would still buy him a few other bits too though

Flip

1 2 3 4

Swipe left for the next trending thread