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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Boom45 · 27/04/2019 22:25

My parents built me a bedroom for my 7th birthday. I was sharing with my brother and my dad put a wall up in a large attic to create a new room, they decorated, new bedding, the works. Best birthday ever.

mogtheexcellent · 27/04/2019 22:32

I did DDs for her 3rd birthday, rainbow theme. She'll have it done again when she is 9 or 10. It costs money to do a room and buy new accessories, furniture etc.

justasking111 · 27/04/2019 22:42

My DS is getting a new double bed for his 18th, it is what he wants.

bridgetreilly · 27/04/2019 22:43

My parents decorated my bedroom for my 7th birthday and I still remember it. Can't remember any other birthday presents they gave me at all, tbh. So I say yes, do it! And maybe get something small to unwrap on the day.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 27/04/2019 22:44

I think it's a great present, if it's not something that would routinely be done anyway.

As in - if you're pushing the boat out a bit to make it really special for him rather than just painting it to make it liveable in, then it's a gift FOR him, isn't it.

I also think it's a lovely idea to do it as a surprise.

When my DS1 was little, I would put the Christmas tree up the night before his birthday in December, so he had that as part of his birthday surprise - these days, I ask him whether he'd like it up before or after his birthday, but he appreciated it when he was little!

TheVanguardSix · 27/04/2019 22:46

Oh I think that's wonderful, OP.

bookmum08 · 27/04/2019 22:49

I personally wouldn't do a whole room with just one theme. Tastes and interests change quickly with kids so having matching bedding, curtains, rugs, beanbag, lamps, pictures on the wall, bookends, alarm clock etc can look rather overwhelming and if he isn't so interested in that theme 2 months after it's been done then what happens?
I would suggest it and see what he thinks but if he seems a bit meh to the idea I wouldn't do it.

PookieDo · 27/04/2019 22:52

I did it for my DD but she wanted me to do it and I let her choose things too

winecigsandchoc · 27/04/2019 22:54

You could send him to stay somewhere overnight and decorate his whole room then wrap up a lamp or pictures and a toy and it would be an AMAZING surprise!!!! Depends how you stage it!

CheshireChat · 27/04/2019 22:56

How picky is he? I'd have absolutely hated someone else to decorate my room, but would've been thrilled to do it myself.

happyhillock · 27/04/2019 22:56

We did this for our DD'S 12th birthday she going away for a weekend with a friend and her parent's we gave her some birthday spending money, while she was away we did her bedroom, new carpet, curtains, bedding, new wallpaper, cushion's, wardrobe and chest of drawers, i'll never forget her face she was speechless, she loved it, remember he'll get presents from other people.

PeapodBurgundy · 27/04/2019 22:57

I got home from school on my 10th birthday to find my Mam and Auntie had done my bedroom out. It was a lovely surprise and I was chuffed to bits with it. I still have some of the bits they put in there now even though it was several decades ago

fabricstash · 27/04/2019 23:04

I am another one-my 8th birthday present. I knew it was happening as my parents made things for it but it was so fantastic. Can't remember any other birthdays particularly. It's about having your own space

kateandme · 27/04/2019 23:04

did it here.wrapped a few gifts to put on the bed.
and for the door plastered it in wrapped paper and a ribbon so she could break through it(unwrap new room)
filled it with birthday balloons.
another time did it same.but some of the present were wrapped hidden round the room.so a dvd and book on shelves.wraapped cushion on bed. wrapped stationary on desk.few wrapped clothes in cupboard and draws.

Aridane · 27/04/2019 23:09

What an amazimg - if somewhat expensive- present!

Aridane · 27/04/2019 23:10

This is a weird thread to me. Does every child really expect wallpaper, paint, new duvet covers, themed lamp shades, and art as standard? At one point my parents had to let a home and I could never dream of being just entitled to that, I was lucky if I could stick a few posters on the wall. I just don't think it's fair to tell all families that their children must get fully decorated rooms as standard.

Agree!

PookieDo · 27/04/2019 23:21

I don’t understand what the problem is with doing up a child’s room? I don’t think people mean full interior design but some stuff from IKEA

When I was renting privately I just repainted the walls magnolia to make them nicer, got some furniture from IKEA and some nice bed sheets from Matalan.

IWantMyHatBack · 27/04/2019 23:23

Football theme?

Blergg

MitziTheTabbyIsMyOverlord · 27/04/2019 23:30

We've done this twice for DD (as Christmas presents, not birthday). Once when she was around 8 and again when she was around 13.

Both times, she chose paint, accessories and a new bed (going from a kids bed to a high sleeper and then ditching that for a more grown up adult [although still single] bed).
She would have got other bits and bobs (a stocking, for example). But it was her main present both times.

We don't have the money to do both, and it was her choice.

We did the decorating for her both times, so she just had to move in and arrange things (the accessories) as she wanted.

And to those PPs who say 'it's just what you do for your child' I'd point out that her room has been redecorated more than any other in the house as she's changed and evolved more. When we moved in here 18 years ago we decorated throughout. Our bedroom and the spare room STILL has the same paint, as does the upstairs landing. The living room has been redecorated once, as has the hall. The kitchen and bathroom have both been redone.

Maybe we just don't decorate very often!

modzy78 · 27/04/2019 23:54

My mom did that for me while I was away at camp around age 12. I absolutely hated it. Had no input at all, and she went with her idea of what I should like (wallpaper with hearts surrounded by flowers that made hearts, ugh). And lots of pale pink, gold, white, which
I hated. I think my response to the "surprise" was bawling in absolute misery. The worst was that I couldn't even fix it because she'd spent "so much money" on it. It was a total invasion of what should have been my personal space.
If you're going to do it, I'd recommend at least getting some ideas from your son. And go from there. We got our daughter a bed for her 6th birthday, and that's what we did. Showed her some websites in our price range to get an idea of what she liked and ended up going with one of her top choices.

Halo1234 · 28/04/2019 00:02

I did this for my daughters third birthday. And she loved it. One the eve of her fourth birthday she went to bed saying "I cant wait to see what my room will be like" obviously she couldn't remember turning two and thought you get a new room every birthday. She got a bike for her fourth birthday. And thankfully loved that too. I think u should do it. I had got her a few wee things to open to but I didnt need to she loved her new room.

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