To give competition prize as a birthday present?

[IDontWantthisconsole]

I ended a competition not expecting to win and did; the prize was a games console. It arrived today.

I love gaming but it’s not a console I’m interested in. My brother however would love it. They’re £600-700 new.

I could get a game to go with it as a game is around the amount I would spend on my Dbro for his birthday. But WIBU to give the console to him for his birthday?

And if someone gave you something they won in a competition as a present would you be offended?

Birthday is in September for context

@ThePlantsitter

Would it bring you pleasure to give him it? Will he be like 'OMG WHAT!!'? Will it bring him joy and you vicarious joy? Well worth £600 you never had then unless the money will make your life significantly better.

This

I can’t imagine anyone who would be “offended” by getting an amazing birthday present they really wanted.

He might be offended if it sets a precedent for present value that is far above what he wants to or can afford to spend.

If they've gone from exchanging £50 games to £600 console, he might feel pressured to spend a similar amount on the OP, so as well as being unaffordable, a lot of money could be wasted while they try to find suitable £600 presents.

Just sell the console OP, buy yourself or your family a treat, save the money, whatever, and spend what you normally spend on birthday presents.

I’ve done this before! I won a whole load of Harry Potter audio CDs (back in the day) and gave them to my then very young cousins.

well, I might sell it and spend the money, but I bet you don't get £600 for it.

I might give it to someone who would really appreciate it (like your brother)
But I would probably give it and tell him where it came from, partly so he doesn't feel the need to spend £600 back, and partly so that he is not embarrased by this huge present.

But I would really want him to be someone who appreciates it!

I think it would be fine to tell him that you won it though.

Offer to sell it to him for £300?

What happens if he decides to sell it rather than keep it? You’d be pretty annoyed then I imagine.

I would personally sell it myself.

I would sell it.

I did this. I won a flat screen TV worth about £1000 at the time. I was a student living in a high crime area, and tbh didn't watch much TV anyway. I chose to give it to my mum, dad and younger siblings who got far more enjoyment out of it than I ever would have. My BF (now DH) thought I was insane.

He would absolutely love it, I know he wants one but can't afford it.

I'm a single parent but do work and I manage my money well - neither me or my DD will go without if I give it away.

I could give him the game for his birthday and say "I won this do you want it/to borrow it" that might go down better than the console as a present.

@steppemum

well, I might sell it and spend the money, but I bet you don't get £600 for it.

I might give it to someone who would really appreciate it (like your brother)
But I would probably give it and tell him where it came from, partly so he doesn't feel the need to spend £600 back, and partly so that he is not embarrased by this huge present.

But I would really want him to be someone who appreciates it!

If it's one of the latest consoles it probably will go for retail price as they are in short supply.

If it’s a ps5/Xbox I would sell it that cash would be a nice
Booster and ps5s are still seriously hard to buy

I'd sell it, keep the 600 and give him a game 🤣

@BarbaraofSeville

He might be offended if it sets a precedent for present value that is far above what he wants to or can afford to spend.

If they've gone from exchanging £50 games to £600 console, he might feel pressured to spend a similar amount on the OP, so as well as being unaffordable, a lot of money could be wasted while they try to find suitable £600 presents.

Just sell the console OP, buy yourself or your family a treat, save the money, whatever, and spend what you normally spend on birthday presents.

Of course it doesn’t set a precedent. The OP can’t normally afford to spend this much. It is an unexpected gift for both of them.

This is her brother. I’m sure he will have the opportunity to do an unexpectedly nice thing for his sister some time in the future. It doesn’t have to be an immediate obligation to “pay her back”.