One present is enough

[DidYeAyee]

DS will be 10 next week. I have bought him one expensive gift that I know he wants. Money is always tight - we are comfortable but generally have too much month left at the end of our money.

Normally on birthdays he would get a few things from us but as he gets older, the presents become smaller and more expensive.

Im reluctant to spend another £20ish quid on "bits" to bulk it out when I haven't even bought his cake or anything yet but I know it'll look underwhelming when he gets up and only has one wrapped gift.

I realise this is a bit of a first world problem and we are lucky to be able to buy him what he wants, I don't spoil him generally but at 10 he's still young enough to have exciting expectations around his birthday.

We generally only get one present for a birthday (unless it's very small).

I think I'd buy bits that he's going to need over the next few months. Things like a 'cool' winter hat/gloves. Maybe a new file/pens. New school bag?
Possibly a family game?
My DS would be visibly upset at one gift. Especially if he's been talking about it for months ahead. A little underwhelming.

DC is 10 at the end of this month- no idea what to get as they don't want anything. We are getting a chess set because that's the only thing we can think of. We are not fans of buying things for the sake of it and tend to buy experiences rather than stuff so the main present will be taking DC and 2 friends to the local climbing centre and then out for lunch.

From that age mine only got one present that they really wanted.

You'll not be helping him grow up if you feel the need to bulk out his presents.

We all need to get on board with the not buying unnecessary stuff because stuff does not equal happiness.

We’ve always done 3 family birthday presents- one from me, one from dp and one from sibling. The ones from Dp and me include the main one.

"we are comfortable but generally have too much month left at the end of our money"
Seems a bit of a contradiction. How can you be comfortable if you run out of money generally? It doesn't make sense.

Any "extras" that I buy DC are likely to be slightly upgraded versions of what they would need anyway - eg stationery from a favourite store (used to be Paperchase and now is Muji), 1 pair of knickers from Jack Wills rather than a 3 pack from H&M etc. I've noted that Father Christmas seems to have a similarly utilitarian approach to the stockings in this house.

Mine are perfectly fine with one gift, and they are a lot younger.
as long as it is something he really wants, i don’t see the issue

I would also bulk it out with things you might need to buy soon anyway. Pyjamas, scarf, T-shirt, felt pens etc

Idontwantto

Because we have a nice home, a car, plenty of food, a lovely and well looked after pet, adequate clothing and can afford occassional treats but we're not rolling in it and once everhthing is budgeted for there isn't much to fall back on if we have a bigger expense like a birthday in the month.