6yo Birthday presents, who is being unreasonable?

[hollyisKey]

Ds will be 6 next month and me and dp decided to get him a nice bike. The bike cost £190 and that is more than we would usually spend on birthdays.

Dp thinks that the bike will be all ds needs for his birthday. Since we have just had Christmas he doesn't need any toys, shoes or clothes.

I however, think that ds should have a couple of little presents to open too. Nothing really expensive but just so he gets to unwrap something.

We are no means rich but could afford an extra £30 - £40 for some extra presents. Dp is mostly concerned about the lack of space in our house. He saw getting the bike as one big gift and no smaller items to clutter the house with.

Aibu or is dp?
Thanks

A bike is fine with nothing else, especially if you make the unveiling exciting, eg with a treasure hunt.

However if he genuinely won't get any other presents I would get a few small things to wrap but not £40 worth!

As a pp said wrap any accessories for the bike separately to give him some parcels, then get some small items that are useful, will be used up or you would buy anyway, plus maybe a book for bedtime.

Depends whether you have family/friends who will also buy him gifts or not. If you’re the only ones who buy him anything then yes, I’d buy a few cheaper gifts to accompany it.

He is doesn't understand cost and value
I would get the bike and two other gifts, eg lego set? Play doh?

Books, pens.. Something little and balloons for the bike.

So he's only going to get one present orher than yours? So 2 presents for a 6 year old. I actually find that quite sad. We have no living grandparents here, so we try to make up for it by buying what we imagine they might have bought!

Yes I would buy additional things to open, just a book, pjs, bath bomb, that sort of thing.

But then I wouldn't never dream of spending that on a bike for a 6yo so would have budget left

We could have got a much cheaper bike (under £100) but we were hoping this one would be more suitable and last longer

Bikes fit according to the height of the rider. Cheaper bikes work the same on this front. As do good condition expensive bikes being sold second hand on ebay etc

Neither of you is wrong or right it is just personal preference. But yes personally, I would get a few smaller things for him. If lack of space is an issue (it is for us too!) then I'd get consumables - whatever your 6yo would like - sweets, bubble bath, arts and craft materials.

I think you are right about small things to unwrap.

i think you are wrong to think that £30-£40 is just small bits.

I would definitely get him a few bits to unwrap, some things you can never have too much off like books, board games, sweets, chocolates, bath stuff etc.

My dds going to be 16yo soon and is getting a double bed for her main bday present at £500, I'll still get her a few small bits to unwrap as well!

We're in a similar situation with ds5, he's getting a big present but I've found a few bits for him to unwrap as well that he would like. Craft stuff and books mostly but all things that he would love and use.

I could never just give a child one present. My son got an oculus last week and I spent about 40 getting some other bits to open and bulk it up.

I wouldn't be able to just give one present. I'd rather half the bike budget then spend the other £100 on other gifts. DS' Birthday is only a couple of weeks before Christmas but makes no difference to what we get him.
We bought a few Lego sets, marble run, Books, Paw Patrol toy, stickers, Jigsaws, crafts, stuff he could sit and have fun playing with. A bike has very limited use especially in winter.

One present, and not even wrapped, is disappointing at that age.

I think having some little bits to open is very important when you’re so little. They don’t have to be expensive. Even better buy the accessories that he will need for the bike.

What if it's chucking it down with rain on the day of his birthday and he can't even use his new present? My own six year old would be absolutely gutted. I would get a few little bits to accompany the large present. Things like the small science kits from Galt and scratch art books go down well with our six year old.

I’d get some small gifts to go with it yes

My girls turn 4 on 31st Jan and are getting 1 thing from me (also bikes). They will get a few things sent by relatives, including their Dad (who lives the other side of the country).

Why does a 6 year old need a £190 bike?!!!

My nearly 6 year old is getting a Hoy Bonaly (£400) but not even for his birthday... just because he needs a bigger bike! People spend different amounts on things 🤷‍♀️

Thanks everyone. There have been some great suggestions.

We've settled on the idea to wrap ds helmet and bell separately and a few small gifts. Dp preferred the idea of consumable gifts so planning on getting him a science kit and some craft bits. Also a simple baking activity to do when he comes home from school. Possibly some pizzas to make. That way if the weather is poor we can have activities for inside. Also some popcorn for a movie of his choice that evening.

I also really like the idea of the long ribbon leading to the bike.

Thanks again everyone.

I'm with you OP and something to unwrap doesn't have to be that big so that would clutter the house. I get it that the main gift is big but smaller stuff like chocolates or a puzzle toy or a pack of stickers will do no harm yet the child will be happy unwrapping these things. Amazon has nice stationery sets for £15-20!

www.amazon.com/Kids-Stationery/s?k=Kids+Stationery&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

You can even decorate the walls with Birthday picture collages or put balloons everywhere and it would still be better than nothing at all! There is a lot you can do for less than £30, tbh.

At 6 I'd say they absolutely need a few little opener presents. Some chocolate, fidget toys, a clothing item, lights for his bike maybe, a high viz vest, you can get some cool ones and I'm always baffled that parents take their kids on roads without one, hi viz strip for helmet

Oh and definitely a few bold although I know that's already been said lots

@PinkSyCo

Why does a 6 year old need a £190 bike?!!!

Because cheap bikes are heavy and cumbersome with poor dimensions, a false economy if you want to do a decent amount of cycling. Something you definitely need to invest in if you want your child to do well and enjoy longer rides

I would get a few small things too. My dd s birthday is this week and she is getting a lot of practical gifts like dressing gown. There is always something that needs replacing- water bottle, craft stuff, gloves.