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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Stressing over Christmas

148 replies

Thatusernameisalreadytaken · 17/09/2021 09:51

I have a DS13, He has most things that any 13 year old has, Switch, PS5, Phone, Fitbit watch, bike,...(These have been Birthday/Christmas gifts)Which means I have no idea what to get him this year for Christmas. I can't even think of stocking fillers. I will get him some books as he enjoys reading, (Prefers paper books, to a Kindle) Other than that...Not a clue. I'm starting to panic now and don't want to end up getting "just something" AIBU to ask what you are all getting your DC's this year?

OP posts:

LagunaBubbles · 17/09/2021 14:13

Maybe the best thing you could give him, is a a reality update and less materialistic outlook

What a horrible and judgemental comment. So the "reality update" is don't buy your kid something nice for Christmas as there are disadvantaged children?

ShowOfHands · 17/09/2021 14:22

Imagine if the op hadn't bothered detailing things he already has. We could have had pages of obsolete suggestions. At least she typed it in the first post so we could just get on with the criticism of her choices.

I'm going to suggest that MN add an obligatory selfie to each opening post in AIBU so we can rip apart somebody's looks and clothes as well as their parenting.

Plumtree391 · 17/09/2021 14:28

@Thatusernameisalreadytaken

Please edit my post to say "MOST 13 year olds I know...." instead of "Any..." 🙄 Some people can really get hung up on one word, and maybe take things a little to literal

I think what you said is quite reasonable from what I know about youngsters of your son's age.

Pay no attention to the resentful ones.

2bazookas
"Maybe the best thing you could give him, is a a reality update and less materialistic outlook."

Does he have a materialistic outlook?

Plumtree391 · 17/09/2021 14:30

@ShowOfHands

I'm going to suggest that MN add an obligatory selfie to each opening post in AIBU so we can rip apart somebody's looks and clothes as well as their parenting.

Well said!

Honestly I can't believe some of these posts. Can nobody post what they have or do on here without the jealous brigade piping up?

iamtheoneandonlyyy · 17/09/2021 14:37

Good God is it a boring day out there or something?!
Good luck with whatever you choose OP, bet you're glad you asked

googdoo · 17/09/2021 14:55

Some people on this thread are horrible. My 11 year old has the same as the OP (and a gaming PC and airpods) but isn't materialistic in the slightest! She also has a bike/basketball hoop etc so it's not just indoor stuff. Thinking of getting her an Apple Watch and a guinea pig for Christmas! So she can look after it and have some responsibility. We have a dog and she absolutely loves caring for him and walking him.

Original poster

Thatusernameisalreadytaken · 17/09/2021 14:56

@iamtheoneandonlyyy

Good God is it a boring day out there or something?! Good luck with whatever you choose OP, bet you're glad you asked

I am glad, MOST (just to be clear..🙄) of the replies have been helpful 😀

OP posts:

AliceMcK · 17/09/2021 14:58

Not read the whole thread, but please ignore all the bitchy comments about what your DS has already.

I think the experience days are a good idea. Maybe something out of the ordinary or adrenaline fulled. Or just do a few token gifts and money. Tell him that if he wants the PC then he can start saving for it with birthday and Christmas money. Even if he dosnt use the money for the pc, money is a good gift for a 13yo so he can start spending the way he wants.

BoredZelda · 17/09/2021 15:15

We got DD a course of driving lessons (which she can’t do yet because of Covid) maybe he’d like that.

1forAll74 · 17/09/2021 15:28

This is the problem, with children having too much too soon in life.. It always will create problems for future gifts to them..

TinnedPotatoesRock · 17/09/2021 15:34

@BoredZelda

We got DD a course of driving lessons (which she can’t do yet because of Covid) maybe he’d like that.

He's 13

TooBigForMyBoots · 17/09/2021 15:35

My DS14 is a bit like yours OP, he had all the consoles he needed. Last year I gave him a budget of £100 to create a list. He chose a pre-ordered game and a few bits and pieces and was

TooBigForMyBoots · 17/09/2021 15:39

Oops, pressed post by accident.

He was delighted to make his own choices. This year is the same, he wants another pre-order game, a very specific hoodie and a hand made Japanese plushie thing.🙄 I will also get him a new headset and controller as a surprise as his old ones aren't working so well.

BoredZelda · 17/09/2021 15:48

He's 13

DD is 12.

Maray1967 · 17/09/2021 16:00

Mine has a gaming pc which my husband built for him. He saved up for two Christmases and birthdays and any treat money he got from grandparents to pay for the parts. He spent all his Amazon vouchers from last Christmas and his birthday on a good pair of headphones and so needs no more kit. He has an old I pad and an old I phone (7) but doesn’t want any more tech. We’ll get him a laptop for uni for his 18th so in the meantime we’re doing experiences - theme park trips mainly for Christmas and usually a pair of trainers that he’d like (within reason) for his birthday plus a few smaller inexpensive items to open.
Any cash he gets he is happy for it to go in the bank. DS1 saved plenty and then had the cash to go on a great foreign trip at uni so I don’t rack my brains thinking of ideas for the grandparents now as the cash has been so useful. If they don’t like that they can think of something themselves. DH relayed a comment from in laws last year that they’d rather not do cash so I told him he’d have to come up with an idea for them then. Cash it was.

Belledan1 · 17/09/2021 16:03

Sorry it this has been mentioned. Have you tried wicked uncle website. Good ideas . I got mine a nandos voucher that went down well.

Original poster

Thatusernameisalreadytaken · 17/09/2021 16:06

The only thing that bothers me with days out/theme park tickets etc is that we would prob go as a family, so it'll be like his Christmas gift would be for him and the rest of us to go on a day out...if that makes sense

OP posts:

Belledan1 · 17/09/2021 16:08

He got take out with the voucher.

ShowOfHands · 17/09/2021 16:13

@Thatusernameisalreadytaken

Doesn't necessarily follow that this is a bad thing. My DC love a day out/theatre trip gift and love it even more that their family - who they're pretty keen on tbh - are there with them.

LifeIsTricky · 19/09/2021 15:33

If you're really struggling and want a "main" present, upgrading his fitbit watch to an Apple watch would probably go down well, the slightly older ones 4-5 are great and (more) affordable now than the brand new one, Apple still sell them. Or Airpods?
Things like trainers/tracksuits the sort of things teenagers are into are a good idea. And the books are great, does he have a hobby? If not could you maybe buy him vouchers to try a cool new hobby. Rock climbing has become really popular near me (Indoor) off the back of the olympics there's many people now taking up skateboarding and archery, or tickets for you and him to attend a sports match, or comedy show / concert. Would be a nice day of just you two if you did that too. I did a jar of treats for my Godson who was 14, it was 12 activities we could do one a month throughout the year, it went down pretty well although my joke gift of a Greggs gift card was way better received! Haha

MrsDThomas · 19/09/2021 16:20

Mine is also 13 and has a ps4 and an iphone (6 so old in people’s ehes). Hes asked for a gaming chair. I dont mind as I’m totally stuck!

esloquehay · 19/09/2021 16:53

Probably been suggested/not helpful, but give him an idea of budget and ask him to give you a list?
To all the gloomy fuckers being negative about what OP's son has or hasn't got...all families and their circumstances are different and, no, not all 13 year olds have exactly what OP's son has, but no need for all the shitty comments.

Original poster

Thatusernameisalreadytaken · 19/09/2021 18:34

I think I am going to have a look in to the experience day's, there are plenty he will enjoy. I'll also get him an amazon voucher so he can chose what he wants. If he really wants a gaming PC he will get bits for it with his voucher, along with any money he'll get from family. or save it till he has enough for everything.

OP posts:

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