To think niece should remember what we gave her for Christmas

[SidSparrow]

So we got niece a nice bracelet for her Christmas - she's 7. Was first time meeting her as she lives abroad. We got her that and some other small books and things. Anyway, I asked her if she liked the bracelet we gave her and she didn't even remember it. Now, she didn't get a lot for Christmas since they're doing Christmas when they go home. I did put a bit of thought into it - was a charm bracelet with charms suited to her interests, so I thought she would have at least remembered it, Christmas day was only 4 days ago! Anyway, we've just been out and about and she wanted a keyring, so I bought her it and when we got back she left it in the car.

Now, AIBU to think that perhaps she's just a bit ungrateful? I'm not too fussed, if she is, then it'll make future birthdays and Christmases much easier (card and money). It's like she tore open her presents and never looked back at them. I'd like to think DD won't be like that when she gets to that age, but maybe there is nothing wrong with this...? I'm genuinely confused.

[Harriedharriet]

I bet the parents put it away for safe keeping. That is what I do! She probably does not remember it but will be delighted when the parents bring it out at a later date!

[SidSparrow]

For the record to all those saying BORING PRESENT. She loves unicorns, this was a charm bracelet with all things unicorn. Now, that might still be yawntastic but it's hardly a silver chain. It's a silver chain on unicorn steriods, thank you very much.

Geez! What a tough crowd.

[Savingforarainyday]

I was putting away presents today- I couldn't remember part of my present from my niece. I'm 49😉
I think if you don't have kids or if your kids are very small, then 7 probably seems very big. It really isn't though.

I bet your niece is just overwhelmed with presents. Especially as she lives away, and she probably doesn't really know everyone that well.

I bet she will remember the time you are spending with her though.
Maybe next time, give it to her face to face, or take her out and shop together for something special.

[Witchend]

I can have a present I love, but put me on the spot and what it was will fly out of my head. I'm a bit better at hiding it than a 7yo, so you wouldn't necessarily know.

It's a bit like at work we have to ask visitors for their car registration number for the car park. A good proportion of people stand there, stare at you in horror and say "I'm sure it begins TR14... or was it PR14..." and then have to come back when they're putting the ticket in the car to say they got it wrong.

[SidSparrow]

Thanks @BoomBoomsCousin that's nice. I never thought of that. Yeah, hopefully it's not been too dull for her and that me and DD have made her holiday a bit cheerier.

[AllergicToAMop]

I know nothing about children and it's clear to even me that it's most likely being distracted by the trip abroad and meeting all new people

[SourAndSnippy]

I wouldn't read anything into it either. She has lots going on with visiting and Xmas. I bet once she has settled down after Xmas she will revisit her presents and appreciate the gift.
My kids are adults now but a couple of them were not into having 'stuff'. They would be very polite and make the right noises when they were given thing but were not bothered about them on the inside.

[FrivolousPancake]

I don’t know any 7 year old that jewelry would interest, even the most unicorny.

[Michaelbaubles]

My 8 year old got a massive Lego Technics set from me, much longed-for, spent hours making it, and showed the completed model to exH who asked who gave it to him and he said “Er...I don’t know”. Little toe rag 😂

[ArnoldBee]

My 7 year old can tell you all about how to treat a snake bite in the desert - we live in the UK. Ask him what he had to eat 10 mins ago he couldn't tell you. Though apparently he remembers being stung by a bee when he was 3 which never happened...

[Shazzanat]

Gosh 7 years is still tiny and Xmas an overwhelming time to boot.

[AnnaMagnani]

Our nieces came to visit yesterday. Both had clearly been primed possibly 30 seconds before they came in the door to remember what we had given (cash) and to tell us exactly what they had spent it on, and to say thank-you. It was really sweet and much appreciated.

So at 7, no I wouldn't expect her to remember. But I would expect her mum to remember and to make sure she thanked her auntie for it. Or possibly to make sure she was wearing it, so she could show her auntie.

[AnnaMagnani]

Addition to above post - or dad. Dads can remember things too.

[Starbucksbasic123]

Was she just being shy/coy?

[Cornettoninja]

I think you’re expectations of a 7yr old might be slightly out of sync with reality, they’re still quite prone to living in the moment at that age.

I’m sure she liked the bracelet you bought for her but truthfully it doesn’t actually ‘do’ anything does it? It’s not like a book or game she could be looking forward to playing later on and therefore it’s just not on her radar unless she’s actually looking at it or wearing it. I don’t know many 7yr olds who would receive something to wear and start planning places to go with it on.

[Elieza]

So many presents probably affected her memory! Or perhaps the parents have spanned Christmas out and she’s not been given it yet?

In future you could give money or put it by for her and then give her lots of money on her 13th or 15th or whenever instead of annual gifts if she’s already spoiled.

[MistyCloud]

@SidSparrow YABU, she is SEVEN!

[Pinkandwhitemarshmallows]

Yabu. She's 7. I've got a 7 year old DD. 7 year old girls like LOL dolls, hatchimals, scruff-a-luvs, twisty-petz, etc. Not charm bracelets.

[theduchessstill]

I thought you were being a bit unreasonable but the more you post the more it seems that you just don't like the family and want everyone to say how ungrateful the little girl is.

Let's hope this judgmental attitude doesn't come back and bite you when your child gets older.

[birdsarecute45]

She is 7.

My 9 year old was telling me today how he has an unlucky life, because he has not yet seen George Ezra in concert.

A 7 year old is going to notice sparkles and chocolate. If you wanted something to be special for her you should have given it to her parents for safekeeping for later.

[Dollymixture22]

Seven is still very young. Jewellery isn’t really that interesting to most kids that age. An interactive toy would have held her attention longEr and she might have remembered it - for example a lego set, build a bear kit etc.

It doesn’t mean she didn’t like it - but maybe stick to younger toys etc for a while and save the jewellery for her teen years.

Kids that age won’t always remember what they opened that morning never mind a few days later😂. Give her a bit of slack.

[MimiCaeger]

Seriously- ask a seven year old what they did at school, at 5 past three as they leave school and they can’t remember ybvu

[category12]

It's a silver chain on unicorn steroids, thank you very much.



Still, not that memorable clearly. But you sound a lovely relative to have.

[category12]

That wasn't sarcasm.

[Mummyoflittledragon]

My dd is 11. She’s only just started to get into nice / silver jewellery. She wouldn’t have wanted a unicorn charm bracelet at this age. You don’t know your 7 yo dn at all then expected her to be grateful. 7 is little more than a baby really. As for your perception her parents have been ignoring her and you doing stuff with her. It’s been one day. One day. In 7 years. It would also be no point putting the bracelet away for safekeeping. My dd wouldn’t be seen dead in the bracelet now. She loves Adidas and wants pandora / Swarovski.