To say "no more toys" to ds and others when it comes to his birthday?

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

Ds is 6. He has some very generous relatives who, when gifting, seem to go for size rather than quality. As such, he has a decent (too much!) selection of toys along the theme of army bases/batman lair/fire engines and all the figurines and little bits that go along with it.

Giving his room a good sort today and realised how little of it he actually plays with. I even bring it down into the living room at weekends hoping to pique his interest....meh.

He plays dress up/jigsaws/board games/lego/tablet apps. He wants a Nintendo Switch but the price is really putting me off.

Aibu to say to him (which he will agree with no doubt) and relatives (less likely to get on board), no more toys.

I'd be more than happy no one gifting my kids anything unless they specifically want to, but if they do want to, would they mind keeping it to puzzles/games/clothes/books? No more toys. At all.

Dh and I will then use whatever our budget is for the Switch. It wont be physically much to open on the day but he knows this and it's still double what we would typically spend.

Certain relatives are very much keen to give "the best gift/the thing that becomes their favourite" and its heartbreaking knowing my son barely plays with the toy.

Just done that (birthday on Monday). She's getting season ticket for the zoo, club membership, zoo keeper experience etc instead plus a few token presents of things she will play with.

She will be 8, and has a 9yo sister.

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

Just done that (birthday on Monday). She's getting season ticket for the zoo, club membership, zoo keeper experience etc instead plus a few token presents of things she will play with.

She will be 8, and has a 9yo sister.

How did you put it to friends and family? Were they accepting?

We discussed it with the grandparents, who fortunately thought it was a good idea. They passed it on when people asked what she would like. Friends we agreed to stop buying presents last year as the number of kids had grown a lot.

The way that comes across is that you want family to buy boring, necessary things like clothes so you can grab all the glory of buying a switch. Perhaps you could suggest everyone chips in for a switch?

@user1495884673

The way that comes across is that you want family to buy boring, necessary things like clothes so you can grab all the glory of buying a switch. Perhaps you could suggest everyone chips in for a switch?

I'd be more than happy for them to chip in if they wanted to! I'd happily stop all gifts for all people tbh makes life easier. But I know they wont agree.

And I didnt just list clothes (aka boring). Puzzles/board games/books/dress up etc all entertaining and used by the boy lots.

I’d ask for vouchers off your family members for a switch then you buy him a game/puzzles/books etc... that way you don’t spend over budget, you little boy gets his switch and your happy with the gifts he receives as you’ll of bought them?

I always ask my ds to tell me what dgs needs.
At Christmas we all chipped in for a switch and me and dh got a game for the switch too.
That said what dc like most is opening post (properly stamped and posted), so cheques in cards would be useful and your ds will enjoy the experience.

Can you just say very politely that he’s ‘saving up for a switch’ do cash presents will be very gratefully received?
That’s what I do with my older kids, then they collate all the money and get the expensive bigger present (that they actually want) !

Tell them he wants a switch and has grown out of toys.
They'll club together to buy switch and accessories?
Just say it would be the best present ever according to ds.