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Original poster

To feel so much pressure about Christmas and birthday for a 5 yo?!

86 replies

Northmumof2 · 05/10/2019 18:01

I am panicking.
Single mum of 10 month old DD and soon to be 5 year old DS.
They turn 5 and 1 within a few weeks of each other

I’m absolutely clueless what to get him?
For either occasion and I’ve done over time this month so I really want to try box it off on this wage.
Any ideas ?

He’s asked for either a tv in his room or a Nintendo switch. Neither of which are happening.
He likes to go on my iPad so I did consider an amazon kids tablet because I read I can limit screen time- but I’ve also heard mixed reviews ?

He loves Lego but it’s so expensive.
I just want him happy and I know at his age he will care more about the amount of things he has to open!

I just want to be able to give them everything they want and sadly I can’t !

OP posts:
Original poster
Northmumof2 · 05/10/2019 18:04

Oh god and my 1 year old.. I can get away without getting her anything can’t I ?? Or is that mean. Maybe just a token gift to unwrap?!

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 05/10/2019 18:06

We have the kids Amazon tablets and really like them. It's also a good halfway house between no screen and a tv in his room/switch (neither of those would happen in my house either).

Do you have any of ds old baby toys lurking? If so, stash them away now and wrap for dc2.

For Christmas we only give one gift from Santa plus a stocking - we gently nudge dc into asking the shopping centre Santa for something we would be happy to get them and that and their little stocking items are wrapped in Santa paper. Mum and dad and grandparents then choose other small gifts.

Kids seriously don't need lots of stuff.

Ours are 5 and 8 in the run up to Christmas. They will get around 50-80 each spent on them (because that is the value of what I've seen that they will like). Haven't started working on Santa presents yet but they are usually a small Playmobil set or some Lego.

Mum and dad are giving them a second hand wii to share.

WaynettaSlobOnTheSchoolRun · 05/10/2019 18:06

Your 1yo will be happy with the wrapping paper Smile

Some of the smaller Lego sets aren't too expensive. There are offers on it at the moment too. Or you could get a second hand old style Wii as a compromise console, with just dance and Mario Kart. There are bundles for around £25 on Facebook marketplace.

curlykaren · 05/10/2019 18:06

Your 5 year old won't know the difference between new and used items so you could eas3get him things he wants but buy second hand.

YouFellAsleeep · 05/10/2019 18:08

For Lego, wilko usually get a decent range in of their own brand Lego and it’s much cheaper than the branded stuff and just as good. As for the kindles, I don’t know much about them but I do know they usually go half price for Black Friday if you can wait until next month.

bookwormsforever · 05/10/2019 18:08

Buy everything second hand for this age group! Your one year old will not care.

Steer your 5yo away from TVs! Look on eBay for Lego or playmobil. Tesco have some cheap sets too.

AcrobaticCardigan · 05/10/2019 18:09

Def just token gift for baby!l. They won’t know and will probs be more interested in the wrapping paper anyway! Re older child, how about checking locally / on eBay for second hand versions of the things he’d like? Know Lego is widely sold on ebay. Sure the games consoles will be too.

Original poster
Northmumof2 · 05/10/2019 18:11

Had NO idea Wilko did Lego have just looked brilliant !
As for the baby I’ve unfortunately got rid of everything of DS’s Sad
But I’m not as worried for her, it’s just that look of happiness I long for on my little boys face. He’s just started school and has been going for play dates at friends who have tvs and have games consoles and have well everything in the world!
As bad as it sounds too my parents spoilt me rotten when I was younger. I always got exactly what I asked for and was amazed at the magic of Christmas- harsh reality when you grow up and realise paying for it all isn’t that magical !

OP posts:
Prawnofthepatriarchy · 05/10/2019 18:12

She's going to be one. They don't understand birthdays at that age. A couple of attractive toys from a charity shop or boot sale would be lovely.

Five year olds aren't much more clued up and they don't understand what things cost. Better several simple low cost toys than one that stretches your budget to breaking point. It's more important that you don't overspend and get very stressed than that you live up to some imaginary standard. And he'll prefer several gifts to open rather than a single high price item.

Difficultcustomer · 05/10/2019 18:18

Maybe a token for 1 year old - could you get your 5year old to help you chose something really small and help you wrap it, then your 5year old can see her open it.

sueH1983 · 05/10/2019 18:18

YANBU, it can be overwhelming. I have a soon to be 5yo too!
I have a couple of ideas for his bday- basically whenever I see something I think he might like or he says he likes, I either take a photo of it or screen shot it, then later when I have time I google it and add it to his gift list on things to get me. Then when it’s coming up to the time, I have something to refer to. Some things he’s having this year are the moon jar moneybox, tickets to a local play farm, money for his bank account, and Lego.

Ratbagratty · 05/10/2019 18:19

Look at your local Facebook selling site, may find a great deal on there. I think you should get your dd a token gift so that your son can see she is part of the celebrations and shouldn't be left out. Even a book from a charity shop would work.

hormonesorDHbeingadick · 05/10/2019 18:22

Wilko have a good range of very reasonable toddler and preschool toys too. You definitely only need a few token gifts and bulk up with things like character bubble bath and chocolate breakfast cereal.

tweedledeedo · 05/10/2019 18:23

The kids fire tablets are really good. Ours have lasted years.

I would get him one (set it up beforehand with games etc he'll like).

Then a small Lego or second hand, crafting and stationary stuff and chocolate

The baby will be happy with anything. I'd probably get her some sticklebricks and crafty stuff and chocolate

Bluewavescrashing · 05/10/2019 18:26

Look on Facebook marketplace for a box of lego, then 5yo can build what he wants. Much cheaper than buying new and it'll still be in fab condition.

Scottishgirl85 · 05/10/2019 18:27

Wilko all the way for their version of Lego!! They also do lovely baby toys too and watch out for their clearance shelf, absolute bargains on there! You sound lovely btw x

Phillipa12 · 05/10/2019 18:28

My 5 year old has the Amazon kindle fire kids and it is great, even better, they replace if it gets damaged, no matter how it got damaged.
My 10 year old only just got a switch and the entire family helped with the purchase because you also have to get the games, it was his only present mind. You can also get good lego bundles off ebay and Lidl always have a good baby toy selection in the run up to xmas

Shoppingwithmother · 05/10/2019 18:30

Obviously you know your own child best @sueH1983, but does a nearly 5 year old really appreciate a money box and some money in their bank account for their birthday? I would have thought they would prefer some toys to open and be able to play with.

In answer to the OP, just get them some smaller things that you know they would like. Just ignore all the TV and NIntendo Switch talk - they are 5! Everyone does not have a games console or TV in their room, even if a couple do.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 05/10/2019 18:36

Focus on making it an occasion rather than worrying about expensive presents. Buy or make a 'happy birthday ' banner for the breakfast table. Give them something for breakfast they wouldn't normally have (chocolate cereal here or pain au chocolate). Make their favourite tea. Just make the day about them - will make for more special memories than expensive gifts x

autumnkate · 05/10/2019 18:37

I would get less real Lego than the Wilkos Lego. Have you looked on eBay?We found the wilkos stuff to be much worse quality.

eurochick · 05/10/2019 18:41

Wrap up a charity shop baby book for the one year old. The that's not my... series or anything with flaps or textures will do.

Our five year old loves craft stuff and stationery, dressing up and Lego.

Swatsup · 05/10/2019 18:45

Don’t get fake Lego, yes he will be happy on Christmas morning but it’s not as good and they will get annoyed by it falling apart. You could ruin a life long love of Lego.

Sorry slightly passionate about this!

eBay! If second hand Lego/play mobile with no box you can wrap it up ready built.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 05/10/2019 18:51

The Wilko Lego really is very good.

Runssometimes · 05/10/2019 18:53

You can buy Lego second hand, often by weight. And perhaps get a small set too, so there’s something boxed. It’s a great toy for imagination and creativity whereas you’ll end up buying apps and stuff and arguing over the tablet! Your 1 year old will be happy with something cheap and cheerful, again you can get great high quality toys second hand.