What did you get for your teen this Christmas?

[teenpresents]

Im asking this as I tend to overthink whether I'm getting it "right" as a mum (for personal reasons linked to my own childhood). Anyway.... just wondering if this seems about right for a 16 yo teen girl for Christmas?

I didn't see my teen DD yesterday as she was at her dad's for Christmas Day. She's coming home today. I've just wrapped all her stuff ready for her coming back, but I feel a bit bad as I haven't spent as much on her presents this year as I normally do. I've actually ended up getting into debt for some of her stuff. I've got her:

• Apple AirPods (she asked for)
• trainers (she asked for)
• Gym Shark leggings
• 5 new tops / jumpers (2 she asked for; 3 I chose for her)
• a personalised engraved prosecco glass
• a bottle of Prosecco
• a candle
• smellies (bath products etc)
• a fluffy onesie

When I bought these things I felt like it was a lot but it doesn't look like much wrapped. But the first 3 items alone on the list came to £200!! I just can't afford to get her as much anymore now she's older. Is this just how it is now she's older and the stuff she wants is more costly?

Thank you!

Given French children have wine with meals from a pretty young age, surprised half the country isn’t brain damaged.

I had the same feeling when my oldest was about that age, especially when he's 7 years older than my youngest so the comparison is right there.

We use giant gift bags with everything in and his bag has looked so empty compared to the younger ones for the last few years, but my oldest is very happy and understands his wants at 18 are very different to his 11 year old brother -- though this year, both of them wanted expensive new video games so both of their bags look a bit empty compared to their sisters who mostly wanted big plushies that make the bags very full fast. It can be as child dependant as age dependant, but each gets that they're different and so their piles will look different.

I believe you can go to a pub at 16 and have an alcoholic drink so long as it is with a meal.

I personally wouldn't be buying my 16 year old alcohol but the rest seems fine.

Lovely gifts (including the prosecco).

I also think it’s very odd to be buying a 16 year old a bottle of alcohol. Fine to have a half a glass at Christmas but it’s a really bad idea to encourage it like that. All the recent research shows that drinking at an early age does actually lead to drinking more later, rather than the other way around.

France doesn’t have the same binge-drinking culture though. And again, there’s a difference between a glass of something with a meal and a bottle (with an engraved glass, as a nod to a special ‘thing’ with a parent).

My 15 year old DS got part payment for a school trip he very much wants to go on - this was also his birthday gift - so he really didn’t have much to open!
We also got him a bowl to serve poke bowl dishes in as he is into those, so that was what he opened.
He obviously knows very well his stocking presents are also from us though, and he had plenty there, including chocolates, a small fondue set, an icecream sundae making kit, iPhone charger,LED strip lights, shower gel, gloves, books, pyjamas and dressing gown.

I’m sure your DD will love her gifts - enjoy your day together. Remember you are only one half of her parents and you have done really well to get her so much.

DH & I got our teen DD (18)
Nike Blazers
Harry styles ticket
Six musical ticket
Benefit make up
Oodie style primark thing
Perfume
Zara dress
Gym shark leggings and bra set
Echo dot
Joma bracelet

plus her Santa stocking

That’s it from both parents.

I think that’s a lot.

One of my teens got AirPods, plus an umbrella. That’s it. No presents from anyone else.

Other teen got a sewing basket, a book, some craft supplies, a calendar.

Thank you! 🙂

Thank you. Yes I often forget she has another parent to buy her things!

What did you buy?

Just because you were binge drinking at 14 and you have a PHD doesn’t mean that it’s a good thing. Lots of research on alcohol at a young age has been done since your time hence why we know so much more now and want better for our children.

I too find it odd

No where does it say she binge drinks with her daughter and you need to make your mind up. Either alcohol causes brain damage according science or it doesn’t.

Well considering 18 is the legal age, you are well below that.
Don’t you have adds on tv there about the dangers?

I didnt say the daughter was binge drinking. I said France has a totally different drinking culture.

Are people doing this deliberately now? Clearly there's a lot of Boxing Day boredom!

What on earth has led you to the conclusion that I think binge drinking as a teen is a "good thing" when I specifically said:

"I was binge drinking from 14 (horrendous obviously!! and not something I'd ever advocate for my own child)"

Do you know what "horrendous" and "not something if advocate for my own child" mean?

Yes I mentioned my PhD because people seem insistent that I'm causing my child brain damage with the odd glass of Prosecco FFS. I'm pointing out that if I not only escaped brain damage given my own binge drinking as a teen, but also went onto gain the highest level of university qualification, I think my DD will be alright.

I'm not replying to this ridiculousness any longer. Just wanted to correct the incorrect assertion that I am advocating binge drinking as a "good thing" 🙄

Can people please stop derailing my thread with this now please.

most items are fine and more than enough but as a mum to a 16yr old daughter who I do let have the odd glass of wine or take a few ciders to a party, I find buying a personalised glass and a bottle of Prosecco a really odd choice of presents.

dd having a glass or two with us over Christmas Day is completely different to buying her her own bottle.

yes I used to drink underage and at party’s etc but would have been completely weirded out if my mum had brought me a bottle for Christmas or my birthday.

What time are you seeing your daughter OP? Will you come and update on how she liked her gifts? Bet she’ll be really pleased!!

It’s not detailing the thread. You’ve asked an opinion on what you’ve brought your 16yr old daughter for Christmas.
people have said it’s a good list except for the alcohol. Just because you don’t like the answer doesn’t mean it’s derailing.

That's a lot of gifts. She sounds spoilt to be honest, especially if she getting some at her dad's too.