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

Spend the dollar. 1 big present is tight AF for a 6year old

Definitely a few wee things to open on the day. They could be bike related like his helmet, gloves knee pads etc but I'd go for something unrelated too in case it's tipping down or icy and he can't use his bike.

I would definitely get a few more bits - can see they've been suggested but I would go for helmet, bell (not all bikes come with them) , led lights, water bottle
When it's my DS birthday we always put a bunch of balloons over the gifts - this year I bought a £1/1.50 blue metallic pack from Tiger - DS14 has played the balloon game with me and DH since his birthday til the balloons eventually met their end !

£1 shop fun mub
Sweets

Met to say at 14 my DS is only on his 3rd bike -small one pre 4,4-9 year old one and he is still using the one he was bought for 9th birthday

I'm worried he will be disappointed to just see one present.

You're nuts.

What about a present that’s not physical and won’t clutter the house?

A pass to a themed parc/trampoline/laser tag

Since we have just had Christmas

Oh dear. Please don't do this. Poor kid should get two proper occasions.

I see a bike as a cross between something I would get DC anyway, and a gift. So I would top it up with some other (small) gifts, like things I would buy them anyway (eg crafty things), things from Poudland, sweets, something they really like that's small (mine like Pokemon cards, for example) etc.

One present is fine, I don't recall getting more than one present from my parents on my birthday, it isn't Christmas day, it's a birthday.

Bike accessories to open maybe a helmet, fancy wheel lights, then no space needed.

I thought for birthdays most people would give one item per person. I sort of take your point if he won't get any other presents, but I wouldn't buy more for the sake of it. Do it this once and he'll expect it each time.

What my dm used to do for me, and I now do for Easter eggs is a treasure hunt.
"The first clue you'll find I'm certain
Hidden behind your bedroom curtain"

I regret starting that in a lot of ways because even my 20yo wants a trail to find her egg each year. My favourite one sent them all round the village on scooters, and we got 2 hours with all the children out working together. And then they were tired when they came back

Give him a treasure hunt and I'll bet he doesn't notice it's only one present.

Do it this once and he'll expect it each time

Is it such a bad thing for a child to expect more than one wrapped gift from their parents on their birthday?

Compromise
Spend £10ish on gifts that can be used - nice sweets, art or craft activities, model plane set, an item of clothing.

I only ever got one present for my birthday and continued that with my own children. I think giving a few little presents as well as the main one dilutes the impact and importance of the main present. It's somehow implying that the bike isn't enough on its own- which I am sure it will be. If you really want him to have something else to open perhaps a cycle helmet?

blimey people have different experiences of birthdays - I think one present is so sad ! It doesn't cost much to have a few extra things to make a little pile - as people have said - craft stuff, stickers, the sort of stuff you would buy them through the year anyway.

We bought our 4 year old a bike and a collection of smaller items last birthday. Our daughter has a very early Jan bday too, we'd never get her less because it's just been christmas. They also get a present when it's a siblings bday too. Our children are a little spoiled but I enjoy spending money on them, as long as you can afford it why not?

I think your partner is right. A lovely bike for a 6-year-old is exciting and it’s enough.

I'd definitely spend just an extra £10 and wrap up a few bits he'd love. Fidget poppers, malteasers, couple of silly pound shop bits like stickers or slime. Unwrapping is half the fun of a kids birthday but it doesn't need another £40.

Jigsaws from the charity shop. - which you can redonate once done?

Definitely spend a little more on a few bits to open (agree with others - stuff like pants, books, stationery for school, sweets). I absolutely love watching my children open their presents on their birthday as they love it. Can't believe some parents only give their kid one thing!! (I grew up in relative poverty but my mum would spend £10 on ten little things and have fun watching me open them rather than one item for £10).

Also... When people say "don't other people get them gifts too?" Well, yes, but here we may not see family until the next day or later by which time the moment has passed really.

He's 6, why spend such a large amount on a bike he'll grow too big for in no time? We have a local Facebook page, folks are endlessly giving away kids bikes or selling them for £10 - £20

A couple of LITTLE presents for £30-40? I should think that the bike is well enough for a 6 yr old who will outgrow it in no time. You could have bought a cheaper but just as nice, bike.

Didn't read above thread before posting similar comment. 🤔

Couple of bike accessories, a little Lego set and some sweets or chocolate. I do think one main pressie is a bit of shame and that's even now when mine are 13 and 16!

Why not buy lights and a helmet?