AIBU?
To not buy my children anything for Easter
AmyandPhilipfan · 30/03/2021 00:51
I have 3 kids and I normally get them some kind of present at Easter - usually toys and/or clothes. But this year it seems like it would just be buying for the sake of buying something. Currently in our house we have 9 Easter eggs (3 each) from friends and family, plus a neighbour will be giving them a couple of small eggs each, and today they each received £10 from another relative.
The two oldest have had birthdays recently and the little one’s birthday is coming up so all have recently received or will receive loads of stuff (as they have lots of aunts and uncles who kindly all buy for them in addition to presents from us).
We’ve implemented a chore system for the 2 oldest in the last few weeks so if they choose to do all their chores they now each end up with over £20 a week to spend on what they want (normally wasted on Robux). And the little one gets things bought as and when really - just this week I’ve bought her a couple of jigsaws and a couple of books.
So I’d say they receive more than enough and I really think I shouldn’t buy them anything. The 3 year old won’t realise she’s missing a present from me but the 12 and 13 year olds will remember they have previously had quite substantial gifts. I don’t want to get them yet another egg as the 13 year old has become quite overweight so I don’t want him to have too much chocolate.
So, AIBU to buy them nothing?
Am I being unreasonable?
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UhtredRagnarson · 30/03/2021 00:55
@Happycat1212
Growing up my mum bought us a new Easter outfit every year. Usually a dress. I don’t get it
Sweettea1 · 30/03/2021 01:20
Toys why are people buying toys for Easter I seen on Facebook about somebody having a easter tree an presents under it like Christmas. It's easter which means easter eggs. Tradition has gone well and truly out the window! We do a little egg hunt with 1 big egg each and couple of small one's dc love it and doesn't cost a fortune.
MarieDelaere · 30/03/2021 01:21
We got a church service, and hard boiled eggs cooked in onion skins to make them yellow which we rolled and cracked and ate with salt sitting amongst the heather and gorse.
It sounds a bit Fern Hill meets the Famous Five but it was pretty crap really, especially as our church was quite maudlin.
Anyway I wouldn't just stop getting them a present out of nowhere - I'd buy then a book each, and say it's the last year.
Mintjulia · 30/03/2021 01:51
Is buying presents at Easter a thing? Why? DS gets an egg from me and maybe one from his dad, but that's it.
This Easter he'll need a general refresh of clothes but only because he's grown. We spend Easter doing stuff every day rather than buying more clutter.
coodawoodashooda · 30/03/2021 01:59
I'd explain that I wasn't getting them an egg and say Id get them an Easter ornament or something? Maybe the book idea or maybe a family craft kit or jigsaw? Actually that's it, I'd get them a craft kit. I too don't understand the whole Easter toys type thing. I saw a countdown to Easter advent type calender. I could not be bothered with that at all.
Starrylight · 30/03/2021 02:35
I used to get a new outfit for going to church, my mum also boiled coloured eggs, and we got chocolate ones. I attended Sunday school at the church too, and I suppose looking back we were pretty 'active attendees'. But then my DPs divorced and after we moved to a different area we didn't join a new church and knocked the easter outfits on the head. To be fair I've never even thought about why we didn't join a new church until right now? Although my DM returned to work full-time, and I was approaching being a teen so potentially much less interested? I'd actually pretty much forgotten about the 'Easter Traditions' we did have... Weird! 🤔
Coffeemocha · 30/03/2021 02:47
I've cut back this Easter, due to lockdown they have clothes that they had for Christmas that have never been put on their backs and multiple pairs of trainers that have never hit the tarmac so I won't be buying outfits this year. They are older so tend not to play with toys so I won't be buying those this year either. I have got them a few eggs for an egg hunt but instead of presents we sat together and arranged an Easter Funday (which we will probably spread out over the weekend). We have set up a little movie corner in the living room, planned snacks, put up decorations and printed out tickets, the kids have picked out a movie they all agree on (a miracle in itself!). They have picked out a 'special' dinner - of all the things they could have had they have decided on hotdogs/ burgers, fries and milkshake. We've arranged a sports day with races, egg and spoon, hopping race etc - I purchased wooden spoons that they can decorate with crafty stuff before the race if they wish, an air horn, marking cones and an inexpensive trophy for the winner from Amazon - this will now be up for grabs on family games nights etc.
We have a paint fight arranged, I purchased coveralls, goggles, seat protecters for the car, super soakers and kid friendly paint, we are going to fill the pistols up, hit a quiet open space and let them go crazy and cover eachother (and us 
). Just thinking maybe this could be an option instead of traditional gifts, making it more about time together than 'stuff' and buying for the sake of buying.
Ponoka7 · 30/03/2021 02:52
Easter clothes have always been a thing growing up where I lived, I'm in my 50's. Easter is as big a deal in the Church as Christmas, so you'd get a new Church outfit, which would do you for any Christenings, weddings, parties that year. Traditionally those families who could afford them bought outdoor toys, bikes, scooters. Churches/communities would have bus trips to places, a new bucket and spade might be appropriate. In some places Easter was still cold. But there would be fairs so money might be given. It was becoming common to buy a gift in the 80's in place of eggs. Chocolate isn't a treat anymore. My GC like ferrero rocher instead.
OP what about saying to them that you are putting the money away for a day out/cinema trip when things open up?
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