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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Buying toys from supermarket.

74 replies

CD41 · 28/04/2020 07:24

Going for essentials anyway.

How frowned upon is it to have a browse down the toy aisle?

DS’s birthday this week and I’m worried I haven’t bought enough!

OP posts:

Frangipanini · 28/04/2020 08:52

I must live in a world of my own. I don't care what anyone else thinks of my trolley nor do I pay any attention as to what is in anyone else's.

Billben · 28/04/2020 08:54

I wouldn’t stress to be honest.

randomer · 28/04/2020 08:57

Play is essential, toys aren't. You cna play with pots and pans and make a tent out of a blanket.

Buy the stuff anyway. We need stuff to get through this horror.

stuckindoors77 · 28/04/2020 08:58

It's fine, just don't take too long if people are waiting outside, and don't touch and put back lots of things.

Just this really, buy what you like but if there's a massive queue outside be mindful of that and don't spend an hour and a half browsing.

I find the last hour in the evening is really quiet and better if you want to take your time.

opticaldelusion · 28/04/2020 09:02

I went to the supermarket the other day and I only bought clothes. My kid had grown out of all his summer clothes. In what fucked up world is it deemed non-essential to have something to wear?

Buy your kid some toys.

Strugglingtodomybest · 28/04/2020 09:05

It's fine OP, buy away.

PineappleDanish · 28/04/2020 09:13

This is getting ridiculous now.

If a supermarket is open, you can buy whatever they are selling. Chocolate. Wine. Clothes. Hair dye. Books. Toys. Easter Eggs. Scented Candles.

There are no "rules" against non-essential purchases, whatever some people on MN would have you believe.

MarthasGinYard · 28/04/2020 09:27

Yes of course single parents should shop and take their dc if not alternative.

They shouldn't however finger every fucking box and make a meal out of it when a half mile queue is waiting outside

Doobedoobedoobe2020 · 28/04/2020 09:29

I don’t see a problem with it. I went to the garden center yesterday (they are open where we live- not mainland UK) as I needed to get specialist dog food that they don’t sell anywhere else.

As I was walking through to get to the till I stopped to get a card for someone who has just had a baby and picked up two baby books for our DC. I didn’t dither or take long browsing, I just saw them and grabbed them. I think that’s okay as long as you were already there for ‘essentials’

CelestialSpanking · 28/04/2020 09:29

it’s fine.

MarthasGinYard · 28/04/2020 09:30

So Op YANBU

Hope dc has a great birthday

Weakandwary · 28/04/2020 09:30

Go for it. you are supporting the toy companies that also need money and sales

WoeIsMee · 28/04/2020 09:32

I went to Tesco just to buy Frozen 2 yesterday. Queues and everything.

MargotB7 · 28/04/2020 09:45

Buy the toys - life is pretty shit at the moment. Anybody who would judge has really lost the plot.

LolaDarkdestroyer · 28/04/2020 10:00

I had to go to b and m to get some birthday gifts for my daughter as didn't plan ahead not knowing...the toy aisle was taped off and they said I couldn't buy toys as non essential unlike the tack etc that people were buying! They said if the toys were on another shelf I could by...so reached over barrier moved them to another shelf and bought them....fucking ridiculous. Like I said can't buy birthday presents but Dave was walking out with multiple lamps and pot plants.

MindyStClaire · 28/04/2020 10:03

MarthasGinYard did you read Bagelsandbrie's post? A dear friend would have been in the same boat when her son was younger, she used to dread supermarket trips at the best of times but had no choice but to bring him.

Not everyone is in the same boat here, and that parent may have needed understanding far more than judgement.

DamsonDress · 28/04/2020 10:12

Yep, you can buy them. Nothing wrong with that. In fact our supermarkets have made a point of promoting toys, particularly outdoor toys and games.

I understand why you're questioning it though. I think it's reading here. Only on MN have I seen people berating others for not living in solemnity in sack cloth and taking 'essentials' to the letter. A poster here described it as the Misery Olympics which I thought was spot on.

Blackbear19 · 28/04/2020 11:32

Ok if you really want my views given another poster has said Smyths and the Entertainer are both doing deliveries. I'd try to buy from there, providing the postage doesn't add to the cost.

My logic is it spreads money around. The supermarkets must be doing a roaring trade as everyone is eating at home.

So buy from a toy shop to help keep another business going.

dannydyerismydad · 28/04/2020 11:33

If I was already in the supermarket doing a weekly shop I would pop a few toys in the trolley. I wouldn't make a special trip just for toys though.

DamsonDress · 28/04/2020 14:23

Although I would and do buy in a supermarket I do like @Blackbear19 's thinking too.

I've been trying to order online from smaller businesses too.

DamsonDress · 28/04/2020 14:25

Oh. Too many toos.

ofwarren · 28/04/2020 14:29

Definitely buy the toys.
You are there anyway so its not an extra journey.

HandfulofDust · 28/04/2020 15:15

Yesterday there was a guy with 10 boxes of Frosties and 22 bottles of champagne in front of me in the queue.

That's hilarious. I'm now desperate to know what the hell he was planning on doing.

BeyOnceBeyTwice · 28/04/2020 16:14

@HandfulofDust me too. Looked like quite the party 😂

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