To give DDs their Xmas / birthday gifts today?

[elfycat]

DH thinks we should wait until Xmas day to give them their new laptops ( we're picking them up now). His reasons are that they will have have the best present of the season on that day.

I think they should have them today. DD1's is replacing a broken one (her present from 3 years ago) and the insurance paid out approx half of the cost of this new one. I asked her to wait (4 months) in getting the replacement until the Black Friday sales so we could upgrade it with this years Xmas budget and get it in the sale to upgrade it further still. She's using a slow and previously broken/ repaired one now.

DD2's birthday was last week. This is her combined present and while she had a piece of plastic tat from us to open ( and an office chair for her desk area from my parents) we haven't given her much of a birthday present. She is currently using my old broken laptop with completely dead battery. It switches off immediately if the charger comes out. She preferred mine over her terrible one ( the one DD1 is using at the moment).

My argument is that they already part own these new computers and are frustrated by the heaps of shit they currently use ( with good reason) and who are we to deny them the use of the decent upgrade they already morally part-own for a showy Xmas morning.

AIBU?

islockdownoveryet I never told them Father Christmas did exist, the rest of the world did that for them and I went along with it. So when they came down one night 2 years ago and asked me directly, and asked for the truth I told them. I find it sad when secondary school aged children have to be told that mythical beings aren't real.

And it's not like we don't have magic. We play a silly game where the DDs leave a snack and drink for 'Father Christmas' making sure it's something disgusting and grinning at DH while saying "Father Christmas" a lot with their fingers making quote marks. They have stocking presents to open as soon as they wake; presents under the tree for when the sun's actually up and we've had coffee with Baileys and then a full-trimmings dinner (we can debate the merits of bread sauce another time - but we all agree yuck in this house). We play any new games, watch films and eat way to much chocolate. Our traditional Boxing Day breakfast is leftover trifle I've been doing this at least 3 decades

I guess I want to give them now because they've waited long enough, would get use out of them immediately, and will be almost as excited to open a chocolate bar on Xmas day as a laptop.

Isn't there a clue in the word 'Christmas'? If they are Christmas gifts then they need to be given on Christmas Day. If they aren't then it doesn't matter.

*Wanders away from the thread wondering if she's too old for all of this...

@elfycat

Sounds like a wonderful way to spend Christmas..

No idea why some people assume that the only way kids can enjoy Christmas is by believing in “Father Christmas” and getting presents from him.

You can have wonderful christmasses without FC - depending on culture and gifts and christmas need not be related, either.

Sounds like a lovely Christmas to me!

Sounds like a sensible plan.

They will appreciate and enjoy the laptops from now and for many years to come.

Then you can have a lovely Christmas Day with a few gifts and lots of yummy food

Definitely give them the laptops now.

Your Xmas day sounds lovely as it is.

Only on MN could laptops not be considered a Christmas present!

I don't doubt that to some extent they are a necessity for school work, but a basic computer could do that and I'm sure there's plenty families that have to share a PC rather than have one each.

These kids are getting their own personal laptop, one (or both?) of them costing £800+ and yet it's not a Christmas present?!

OP My parents often used to do this ie buy me a big present with my full knowledge but give it to me on the day. I loved it! It was still exciting as I knew I was getting the thing a really wanted , but having to wait for it built up the anticipation.

"....and will be almost as excited to open a chocolate bar on Xmas day as a laptop."

Light hearted aside from the thread:

I wonder what the response rate from a survey of Teenagers would be to this...

I’d wait until Christmas, it’s only ‘26’ days (my son keeps count) surely they can manage until then? It won’t feel like a Christmas gift if they get them now. It will be rubbish on Christmas Day if they don’t t have a gift.

Mumsnet is flipping obsessed with the “magic of Santa”. I figured it out when I was 6 (Santa’s handwriting was the same as my mums) and still had many wonderful, magical Christmases!
Course you figure it out kids aren't daft just the way op worded it there is no magic at Christmas. But the op has corrected it and said they do have magical Christmas so fair enough .
I'm saying what you should and shouldn't do at Christmas. I just enjoy the magic of Christmas my opinion that's all and that's why I'd make them wait for their gifts .

You’ve waited this long, you can go the distance now! I know sometimes it doesn’t make sense to keep things back when they’d be appreciated now but I think at this age you’d regret peaking too soon on Christmas morning when the main present is already in use.

@Strangedayindeed

Wait!! I never understood why people (parents) do this. Wait and give them a magical Christmas!

You think opening ta laptop they've been frustratingly without for weeks is the thing that's going to make Xmas "magical" for two preteens who know that that's what their parents have got them??

@alwayslearning789

"....and will be almost as excited to open a chocolate bar on Xmas day as a laptop."

Light hearted aside from the thread:

I wonder what the response rate from a survey of Teenagers would be to this...

There not teenagers though they are 10 and 12 .

And DD2 thinks Cadbury's Dairy Milk is food of the Gods.

I know there's better chocolate out there but she's still developing her taste...

Totally get that with the Cadbury's Dairy Milk Chocolate.. food of the Gods here too!

It's a tough one!...but sounds like they will be happy either way and that's what matters

I’m an adults and know my things off dh but I’m still keeping them for Christmas Day and that includes cds that will be ordered soon, I can’t wait, it’s part of the magic, yes mine hare wearable or pillowcases but still special. One exception the puffer jacket same as him a new coat.

Surely in this day and age laptops are utilities not really present material. (And I’m in my 60s).

@fluffiphlox

Surely in this day and age laptops are utilities not really present material. (And I’m in my 60s).

Basic ones are. But if they want all singing, all dancing gaming ones, then that's a bit the same as having a console.

So they broke /slow few months ago

You said wait till nov so I can buy cheaply

Give now

It’s not a Christmas pressie

It’s something they need and replacing it

@fluffiphlox

Surely in this day and age laptops are utilities not really present material. (And I’m in my 60s).

Depends on your income and finances. In some families essentials still have to be brought as gifts because there isn't money for both

AS for laptops being utilities...my god...I wish I lived in your world! They're bloody expensive utilities! Many families share one between everyone!

they both have a laptop they can use for essential school and homework?
It's hardly going to impact if child has to use a laptop while charger is plugged in.
Digital art is not a necessity - can wait til Christmas,

I really don't see any need for them not to wait until Christmas.

Wait! It's so nearly Christmas. It will make it much more special and the ones they are using now are functional. My 13 year old has waited a year for the phone she is getting for Christmas and it's been in my wardrobe for over a month. She doesn't have any other phone. It's not about money either.

My daughter's dad and step daughter always message her as and when shopping to tell her what they've bought her for Christmas, even cheap stocking items. Without fail they give her most of it early. I can't get my head around it.