To buy the DCS these for Xmas.

[IWillJustKeepQuietThen]

Regular poster but NC for another reason for a later AIBU when I can fathom out how to word it

Anyway we've just moved into a new place. So kids rooms Have just been painted and furnished, carpet and curtains. . Just looking bare of accessories and walls bare.
. Ds is a teen, dd 18m, dsd nearly 8 here eow.

We've got the elder 2 pretty expensive main gifts. And ds understands that I won't just buy crap to for the sake of it.

Once they have their main gift they're not going to show much interest in anything else, especially the teen.

Wibu to buy them some bedroom accessories and put under the tree. Nice duvet sets, nice pics / canvases., new money jars or Similar. Little accessories jewelery box type thing for dsd hair bits and bobs..

My heart is telling Me I should just buy this stuff my head is saying if I do and hey have all now.. Ill end up buying useless gimmic stuff for Xmas.. ( I know that's odd thinking) but I'm guessing it stems back to when we were kids and my parents wouldn't even buy us clothes for. Xmas until we were about 14 as they liked buying the fun stuff.

I'll get some games for the family for fun anyway. Both the main gifts are computer /console.

Youngest has no idea so got her a few bits for playroom that we never had space for before that I know she loves.

My other thinking is we have Xmas savings but not. Much spare other money just to do it all now iyswim so it's kind of being sensible?

I have always bought a selection of practical needed stuff along with the wants for Christmas.
Deodorant, shower gels, combs, lint removers, socks, pants, alarm clocks, coin trays, duvet and fleeces are all items that have found there way under the Christmas tree and even now they are in their 20’s I still do the same.

Sounds like you've spent a lot on them already! And if they need stuff for their rooms, yes get it for Xmas rather than buying other junk

That sounds like a lovely idea.
I hate the ‘stuff for the sake of stuff’ culture around Christmas and try to make sure that a good amount of what I buy is stuff that is needed.

And as dontsweat said - my parents always got practical bits for me for Xmas, pants, toiletries, pjs, stationary for school etc - and I assume I'll be doing the same for my DC as well as some fun bits. To be honest though they'll probably get so much "fun" stuff from other family members that I'll have to limit the fun bits from us or we'll just be awash with clutter...

I always buy practical stuff and save it for christmas. stockings have pants and socks in (if fact teenage daughters have now said dont bother with any tat, just pants and socks in stockings!! Many christmas presents have been cushions, fleeces, duvet covers, bedside lights, bedroom accessories etc.

I remember that scene in Toy Story 1when they are checking to see which new toys arrive as birthday presents. The derisive comments about the quilt cover gift says it all really.

Thanks. You've made me see that it's definitely sensible.
Ds wants a football kit and some bits but that's it.
They all need new dressing gowns and slippers etc so will do that too..

I always had clothing as Christmas presents, usually new bathers ready for camp (not living in UK then, obvs) but books too. Times were hard, though, and my own DC never had bits for their rooms or everyday clothing, only special things, like the memorable year of the Prof McGonnigal cloak for DD1 at 10yo. I put the shears to the velvet on Christmas Eve before midnight Mass and sewed until 4am.

The jewellery box sounds like a great gift for an 8yo, though.

My guide has always been: Something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.

My MIL always gives practical gifts as well as something from the wish list. My kids usually get new wool underwear (because -16 is kind of cold) and some nice clothing along with a toy. I've not come across this kind of giving before her and I rather like it! It's very helpful and practical and everybody's happy! She's saved me a FORTUNE in thermals over the years.

My DDs have just received an early Christmas gift in a desk chair each from their uncle. They think they are the best things ever. Nothing wrong with practical gifts.

Looking online now for ideas .. Not much else to do on a rainy day with a coughing toddler who is due a nap.

I always give practical gifts too. I think it’s fine, especially for the teenager. I only really got practical stuff from that age onward

Found loads of ideas for the girls.
Teen boy is harder.
His room is light grey walls, geometric duvet atm. And black curtains and shade.
All his choice as wants it plain and looks good but not sure what other things to get

He has a signed football shirt so could frame that?
Money jar I don't know where to get one that looks tenneagery.. I doubt he'd be impressed with a piggy lol.
Did think coin tray but toddler is a nightmare for going in his room and touching things so rather no temptation

For the teenager what about this money box? money box

And maybe a lamp like this for his desk
lamp

Does he have a bean bag/big floor cushion for when friends come round, something extra for them to sit on.

Have a look on displate OP and see if you can find some cool prints for your son to have on his wall. They etch them onto metal plates which hang by magnets stuck/screwed to your wall. They can look AMAZING and the designs come in all sorts. Definitely recommend! I have two at home and DP has 3 in his office at work.

I think the idea is fine, but I wouldn't dare buy "things for his room" for my teen without running them past him first as there is such a high probability of getting it wrong!

Equally would he really appreciate a money jar (does he actually use cash?)

I'm an adult (most of the time, Lol) and I love receiving practical gifts, my mum every Christmas buys me the make up/face wipes I use, usually a 3 month supply and it saves me a fortune, she puts it all in a little hamper and I love it. She also buys me expensive variants of other things I like but wouldn't usually buy myself.

I think your idea is a good one, they will be getting the fun stuff with their computer/console gifts and if you get some board games etc alongside the bedroom accessories they will be very happy I am sure.

I think it's a great idea. I was just saying the same thing a few days ago, how I dont want to be surrounded by plastic tat on xmas day. I've asked the girls to think about what they need and will actually use. So far we have toweling robes, game for the nintendo switch, duvet and feather filled pillows. I'm feeling happier already.

I have always done this sort of thing for dd. Children like to open lots of gifts. We are in the process of updating dds room and she asked me not to do this as she wants her room nice for Christmas. So I’m not this year. She knows she will get less stuff. Her choice. She’s 11.

Practical gifts here also! As dds get older (2 secondary, two primary) I’m buying hairbrushes, expensive shampoo conditioner, body spray etc etc. They seem to like it. Teen boy, alarm clock? It’s what I’m getting my almost teenager, but I’ll get a good one as a present, not a cheap one.

I’ve bought DD a duvet cover for Xmas, infact that’s pretty much all I’ve got her yet.

Thank you.
He's not fussy to be fair even clothes I manage to choose ones he would.

His room small for a bean bag and tbh he rarekt has mates round as we live far from them. So he tends to meet with them near our old place.

A mans military brush set was a great buy for mine when a teen
www.anawiz.com/acatalog/Hydrea-Men-s-Military-Hair-Brush-with-Black-Boar-Bristle-HYDWGS13.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi5DV7em05QIVwcjeCh29jwnYEAQYCiABEgJv8PD_BwE

This is the one I got with the matching comb. If he still has hair at 80 it should still be going strong.
If you don’t want to spend as much you can buy a cheaper version
In boots for about a tenner or on amazon for around £6.
Google men’s military hair brush.

Pound shop for loads of sparkly (or not depending on taste) hair things. Cheap pair of pumps and sparkly jewel type stickers, she can customise her pumps.
If there are characters she likes no reason at all for them to not be Xmas gifts.