AIBU to buy DD necessities for christmas?

[hotcocoatime]

For Christmas I usually buy DD 7 half things she wants, and half things she needs, for example this year, she is getting:

Want:
2 rainbow high cheer dolls
The Never Girls book collection
Diy bath bombs
Fashion design kit, with Lightbox, stencils, etc
Nail polish set

Needs:
Electric tooth brush
Lunch bag and water bottle
Coat
Pair of boots
2 Sweatshirts
A Pair of Jeans
Some PJs

We would have to buy the 'needs' anyways and due to being on a budget this just means that she's got more to open on christmas day, especially as we celebrate with my sister, BIL and nephews who tend to have a much higher budget than us...

I never thought there was anything wrong with this until yesterday, when out christmas shopping with my sister and she 'jokingly' called me a scrooge for always buying 'necessities' for DD

The clothes are reasonable as a present, she obviously has clothes already so nice new ones are a treat; as are the lunchbag and water bottle as she could have foil wrapped sandwiches and a reused bottle so again these are a luxury thing.

But the toothbrush? That's not a treat or a luxury it's a basic hygeine tool. I would be very at any parent trying to pass that off as gift rather than an essential they are ought to provide their child with anyway. If she needs a new toothbrush just give it to her, don't hold onto it for weeks so you can make some show that you're being generous by providing it.

I always include things like socks, pants, pjs, toiletries and a toothbrush. The toothbrush is usually a cool character/light up/musical one and fancy toothpaste. This year its crayola rainbow. And most importantly I know we are all due in June for a new one!

I always add stuff they need to their present pile...they'd get it anyway but it's more to open on the day!

You have a sister issue, not a present issue!

Nope, never buy a need for Christmas/Birthday, I personally feel is should be something special not something I would buy anyway.

Totally normal to buy necessities. I remember getting red apples, satsumas, nuts and quality streets in my stocking as a child.

I buy treat necessities for my daughter - but still necessities!

Each to their own but it’s not something I’ve ever done . Pyjamas maybe because they can be a bit special but otherwise unless ours have actually asked for a specific clothing item then I don’t get them that kind of thing .

I always buy some necessities, pjs, dressing gown, swim kit, ballet tights & hoodie, electric toothbrush, teddy bear bedding, bubble bath, t-shirts etc

Nice big pile of gifts to open & helps eek out the budget.

Things like a new water bottle are still new, exciting things. I like pulling out a pair of new socks or pants to wear. They are nicer than the old ones! Yes, there should be a bit of fun stuff, but I still enjoy buying new pyjamas as an adult.

@felulageller

If we didn't bulk it out with every 'need' purchase since September then their piles would be so small!!

My DC's always get food snacks/ drinks/ underwear/ jammies/books/ toiletries in their's.

What are people giving if not this?!

My kids just have a fairly small pile of presents. A stocking and about 4 other things. Why do they need a giant pile of presents, especially if they aren't even presents but just things they get all year round anyway.

Totally normal to do this but get nicer things. Eg DS is getting Harry Potter socks. Normal black socks wouldn’t be a present.

Toothbrushes are an excellent present from Santa BTW, the tooth fairy reports to him if one is needed.

I always buy a big packet of knickers and wrap them up individually in my DD’s stockings!

I see you buying coat and pair of jeans and in the same vein as with the poster who got school uniform for her 12th birthday.

However I don't see a PP who have her kids a can of coke and fancy cereal bars amongst the presents as mean even though they were already in the house. The first lot are boring things you are going to have to buy for the child anyway there as the coke etc are frivolous.

Electric toothbrushes have been pushed as presents for years (and they go up in price around Christmas they are cheaper to buy in July/August) like with things like PJs and some sweatshirts.

The Christmas underwear is must! One day a guy I dated was getting dressed and I burst out laughing at his shapeless jocks - they were like the male equivalent on granny knickers. Where did those come from? He had brought them himself as his mum hadn't given him any as a present. Why didn't he get the same ones his mum got? He didn't know what they were and used the defence they didn't look like that on the packet - I laughed more. They were terrible, sagging in all the wrong places LOL

So I'm all for underwear as a present. Mum gets me sports bras, which is great as they wear out pretty quick and good ones can be costly. I also like shampoo etc as the stuff I buy is more expensive, so it's nice to get some as a gift.

It's normal. Your sister is being silly.

It depends knickers with lol etc on - fine , plain white not fine.
A battery Barbie toothbrush fine , a Colgate bog standard manual not fine.
A plain sweatshirt not fine, one with a nice design they will love fine.

I think it's completely normal but - to buck the trend here - it isn't something I've ever done. I don't pass off toothbrushes or pyjamas as gifts, no matter how nice. However, having said that, my youngest is 15 and has asked for several very specific hoodies. I'll usually go to about fifty quid for a hoody and these are over £100 each so they have to be gifts and not just me buying him clothes as I normally would

But I can't imagine wrapping up a toothbrush or pants and socks

I agree with this ^ comment. I don't really like giving clothes for Xmas I don't know why, just not very exciting but if it was a top with lol or Barbie or whatever they like then yes maybe. I do give character PJ's etc to bulk things out. I wouldn't give boots, jeans etc unless they had particularly asked for those ones but I don't think it's bad, it's just personal choice.and young kids just like having lots to open!

Sorry it was the comment above re plain v character stuff for young kids.

I've done this for so long that my teens now actually have pjs, socks, slippers, dressing gown on their wish list every year. It wouldn't be Christmas otherwise apparently 😂

It’s fine. I do this with mine too and I loved receiving things like this as a child too still do now!

The list is fine but I would worry about the gift comparison on the day with her cousins.
Also obvious necessities like a coat and shoes I wouldn't give as a gift for a child of this age.
7 years old is peak fun for Xmas gifts. There's some awesome stuff for this age group and you don't have to spend mega bucks.

YANBU, I buy my dc pants and socks for their stocking and new clothes and pjs. I do however try it make it a bit more special, for example if they need socks during the year I might pick up some up in the supermarket but for Christmas I'd go to next or m&s. I love getting new pjs, slippers for Christmas 🎄

We've never opened Christmas presents on Christmas morning with anyone other than our small family, as families celebrate Christmas with their gift giving in different ways.