To get upset about Xmas gift?

[MooPoo23]

Hi,

I was just wondering if I could have your opinion.

I don’t have much money this year (I left a dv relationship last year and still haven’t recovered financially) and thought it would be nice to “do up” my daughters room as an Xmas gift.

I mentioned it to someone at my local play centre (we were all taking Xmas) and she laughed it off and said “tbf that’s a bit of a shit gift”.

I laughed and said “yeah, it was just an idea” but I actually felt quite sad about it.

Am I bu to be upset or would it be ok to do this? I really don’t have much to give, I have about 6-7 gifts for my dd (she’s 6 and will be getting things from her dad and his family).

All I’ll be doing is paining it pink, putting a rug, some fairy lights, a few wooden plaques with quotes on them, some new bedding and a few cushions. It’s not much but it’s the best I can do right now.

I honestly feel like a shit mum, but I’m trying my hardest and I do work but only part time.

Thank you for reading my message x

[bumbleymummy]

I think doing up her room sounds like a lovely idea 😊 The other woman could be one of those people who buys tons of plastic tat for the sake of having a big pile of presents that the children will play with for minutes before discarding.

[neighbourhoodwitch]

What an absolutely fantastic idea! - I think I'll do the same! Thank you!! xx

[Besidesthepoint]

My niece actually asked for money for her birthday to buy stuff for her room, so it sounds like a very good present to me.

[Jumblebee]

If she is anything like my DD6 she will love it! When we did her room she was so happy as she had never had a room decorated specifically for her.

For our youngest DD's first birthday we decorated her room as her gift (and that didn't happen until 6 months later when we had moved in and saved funds for a new carpet)

There wasn't much sense in buying stuff she didn't want, that we had no room (or much money!) for.

[Beagled]

She’ll love it, honestly not a shit gift. A shit gift would be not getting your 16 year old daughter a present as your doing her bedroom up as a gift. Then decorating it the way you want, in a completely non-teenager way because it’s your house’. I may or may not be speaking from experience.

Seriously don’t sweat it, your friends rude.

[winterplease]

What a lovely Christmas present! Any little girl would be delighted with that x

[WellTidy]

We did this for DS for his birthday one year and he loved it. We bought most of the things in Dunelm, they were very good quality for the price. Things like duvet cover and pillowcase, cushion, light shade, lamp etc. And a rug. And a snuggly blanket which I think I got from BHS, but Matalan does good ones too.

A name plaque would also be nice.

And a hook on the back of the door for a dressing gown.

[nameymcnamechangeagain]

I think it’s a lovely gift!! My kids would be happy with this’ and 6/7 gifts for a 6 year old is nothing to be sad about either. You’re doing amazing and don’t let what you’ve been through make you think any differently x

[Youseethethingis]

Oh OP, what a shit mum you are, not getting in to debt to buy your DD the obligatory mountain of superfluous and forgettable plastic shite... what kind of woman actually goes to any effort to thoughtfully improve the quality and environment of her child’s life instead. Shocking.
Get what I’m saying? That woman at the play centre is clearly an idiot to even make those comments and I wouldn’t be giving an idiot any headspace

[Seriouslyconfused3]

That stupid woman is an idiot. I’ve just done my dds room for her birthday and for Christmas she’s asking Santa for ‘bits’ for her room. Have a look on eBay for cute posters and you could always pick up some cheap frames to give her some ‘wall art’ to unwrap too

[Seriouslyconfused3]

Don’t know what area you are in op but as I’ve just redecorated my dds room I have quite a few room ‘bits’ I getting rid of- throw blankets, pictures etc. I’d happily pass them along instead of charity shopping them

[thegreylady]

I did this for dd for her 7th birthday. My mum had her for the weekend and it was all done when she came home. She is now 45 and still talks about her ‘best ever’ birthday present.
The extra detail is that she had spotted 4 rolls of wallpaper at a jumble sale and loved it. I nipped back and bought it and used it for one wall of her room.

[soupforbrains]

That woman is a dickhead and a bitch of the highest order.

Your gift idea is a wonderful one. As a child I desperately wanted my room done up. And when my parents finally let me have it, it was as a gift, though birthday not Xmas, and I LOVED it it was the best birthday ever. My parents very recently refurbed the room to make it a nicer guest room and finally got rid of my somewhat extreme choices. Despite being a fully grown adult who hasn't lived at home for over a decade, I was still sad to see my much loved paint disappear.

[simplekindoflife]

It's a lovely idea! I did this for my dd 7th birthday. We went to the shop and she chose her own paint and wallpaper. She even 'helped' a little bit! We got fairy lights, new bed covers, new rug. She loved it! And couldn't wait to show it off to her friends.

[Madmumatuk]

My daughter would love that as a gift. It's a great gift.

[Ihatemyseleffordoingthis]

Your friend was mean.

My 12 year old daughter LOVES "things for her room" as gifts and it appears on her wishlist every Xmas and birthday, has for years. I've wrapped up fitted sheets as presents before - funky hot pink ones - from Primark and she was made up.

Primark is brilliant for lovely home dec stuff for very little money. I think at 6 "something to open" is still important though - but that can be fairy lights, fluffy socks, fluffy cushion, poster etc.

[PeterRabbitt]

We did this when my oldest turned 6. His auntie took him out for the day and we completely re-did his room in his favourite football teams colours and accessories. He cried his eyes out when he got back because he loved it so much! So ignore the snarky comment and do it!

[wonkylegs]

Lovely present- we did up DS1s room as a birthday present 2 yrs ago, he loved it especially his new light (very funky)

[retiredand]

Mines 8 and he's asked for his room doing for Christmas 🤷🏽‍♀️

[YetAnotherBeckyMumsnet]

Hello @MooPoo23 it sounds like a lovely gift - we're sure your DD will be thrilled.

We've had a number of reports from people concerned about this thread so, as we usually do in these circs, we're putting our heads round the door with some important reminders.

Right now we can't see any evidence to indicate that the OP isn't above board – if we did, we'd remove the thread straight away. But the truth is that, sadly, we at MNHQ can't know with 100% certainty that any poster is genuine, no matter who they are or how long they have been here. As frustrating as it is, we're not able to vouch for anyone here.

So we always ask users to remember that not everyone on the internet is who they say they are – and remind folk not to give more to another poster, either financially (in cash or gifts) or emotionally (in time or care and support) than they'd be prepared to lose if things went wrong. We strongly advise against parting with any cash or giving away your personal details, and if you receive a PM which makes you uneasy - report it to us and we’ll take a look.

Sorry to hijack your thread briefly there, OP. In the meantime, you might find some useful information on our guide for dealing with financial difficulty

[CurlyMango]

It’s really loverly. You are great and her room will last and be so special.