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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have no idea what to buy a 4 year old boy

89 replies

whattobuy4 · 08/02/2023 04:15

My daughter has been invited to her first birthday party of a friend. It's a boy who is turning 4 years old. It's a soft play party on Saturday.

I thought I'd spend about £20 for a gift, but husband thinks it should be less.

So my questions are

What on earth do I buy?
How much do I spend?

(Sorry it's not an AIBU, but I need the traffic AIBU seems to get)

OP posts:
emmathedilemma · 09/02/2023 09:41

I agree with @MRex that's a lot of "stuff" unless you know the child is into crafty things and needs supplies. I think boys in particular are less likely to be interested in this stuff. My nephews wouldn't thank you for any of that apart from maybe the jelly babies and they really don't need plying with sugar.

Stephk86 · 09/02/2023 10:48

Wow. It depends really. Alot of my daughters friends are obsessed with arty stuff. I don't know why this seems to have offended you. I knew there was a reason I never came on here. Her parents even said don't get clothes coz they're fussy and she has too many jobs. It's not mountains of crap. If she's like my daughter she likes having her stuff refreshed. I've even got tons of photos of the parents. Wow who rattled your cage.

Stephk86 · 09/02/2023 10:49

Also I don't do it off my own back. I ask the parent. You know communication. God they're some rude people on here. Mum's build up mums not drag them down

TheKeatingFive · 09/02/2023 11:03

My boys would be delighted with the art/crafts stuff. They're very into all that.

Sweetener12 · 09/02/2023 12:48

I agree about £10 max and would do sweets, things like puzzle / art supplies, Tiger Tiger toys, maybe a birthday collage instead of a store bought card. Could be a handmade card, if DD is crafty.

Sartre · 09/02/2023 13:34

I spend £10 max and that includes gift bag and card. Books are a good present or if you know the boy has a certain interest I.e superheroes, dinosaurs then something related to that. My DS is 4 and he loves super mario so he’d be elated with absolutely anything to do with Mario!

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 09/02/2023 15:49

Stephk86 · 09/02/2023 07:45

Hi. Recently I've been making for children's party that my daughter goes to. Colouring and creativity gift bag. If you have a home bargains near you they are a god send. I got the following for around 12 pound including gift bag (quite large and official character birthday card)
Colouring pens
Colouring book
Stickers
Mosaic set
Paint pallet child can hold or lay down which has a brush and 12 paints
Large See through pencil case/messy pouch - which all of the above bar books fit in
Huge bag of jelly babies
Gift bag
Card

Home bargains has a fantastic assortment. The one in my town is only small but I got all this. If you have one near you that's larger its even better.
My daughter got so many toys at her last birthday loved them but they things she got like above and kinetic sand etc and Playdoh she has definitely kept using the longest xx

I know you mean well but that would all get wasted in my house.

Stephk86 · 09/02/2023 16:04

Just so everyone knows I only do this to kids parents I've spoken with. Everyone is obviously different. Some of these comments are incredibly rude tho

stayathomer · 10/02/2023 21:52

No one wants or needs more cheap tat in their house.
This is one mn mantra I hugely disagree with, when we were young we didn’t have toys/presents withheld from us and we weren’t just handed money (in one mn thread people even suggested the money should go towards the child’s birthday party!!!) Children have every right to get to try different toys/sets and figure out what they like.

stayathomer · 10/02/2023 21:53

Ps Stephk86 my children would be thrilled with such a pressie!!!

Hesma · 10/02/2023 21:55

Paw patrol, puzzles, Orchard games, toy cars. £10 max

Abouttimemum · 10/02/2023 21:59

I usually go for consumables like play doh, kinetic sand or colouring etc. Or books are always a good option.

Tomblibooz · 10/02/2023 22:01

£10-15.
Book - the dinosaur that pooped range are big for this age.
Game -anything orchard valley
Lego/play doh/sticker books all tend to go down well too.

MRex · 10/02/2023 23:47

Stephk86 · 09/02/2023 10:48

Wow. It depends really. Alot of my daughters friends are obsessed with arty stuff. I don't know why this seems to have offended you. I knew there was a reason I never came on here. Her parents even said don't get clothes coz they're fussy and she has too many jobs. It's not mountains of crap. If she's like my daughter she likes having her stuff refreshed. I've even got tons of photos of the parents. Wow who rattled your cage.

Dafuq? In English?

I'm only saying give the kids one decent thing, not 35 random mix of unwanted items. Such a weird thing to get excited about!

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