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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not buy my baby a first birthday present?

136 replies

baxtersm · 09/03/2023 18:29

Baby boy is coming one at the start of April and I'm really thinking of not buying him a present this year. He's my fourth baby and I've just realised over the years that the amount of plastic tat they get is ridiculous and unnecessary. And they don't play with half of it anyway, give him a remote control or a mobile phone and he's happy! My mum says I'm being a bit mean and that he needs a present but I don't want to buy just for the sake of it, he won't have a clue. Obviously when he's old enough to know it's his birthday it'll be different.

OP posts:
NellietheElephantpackedhertrunks · 09/03/2023 18:30

Yep, mean.

MrsSkylerWhite · 09/03/2023 18:30

So give him something that isn’t plastic 🤷‍♀️

00100001 · 09/03/2023 18:30

We didn't. Made him a cake and that's it.

MaoamAddict · 09/03/2023 18:31

Maybe get a keepsake for when he's older? Birthday gift doesn't have to mean plastic shite

Lcb123 · 09/03/2023 18:31

Not mean at all - baby won’t know or care. Sure it’ll get plenty other presents. Plastic or not theres far too much stuff in the world!

BiscuitBandit32 · 09/03/2023 18:32

Why does it have to be plastic? Why does it have to be tat?! Choose better gifts.

GoodChat · 09/03/2023 18:32

He's got older siblings that will know he's received nothing.

Get some clothes and some books and a wooden toy or two.

springismything · 09/03/2023 18:32

YANBU, he won’t know. Or another choice would be to get him something he’ll use now we’re coming into summer. A nice swing, slide or trike.

7Worfs · 09/03/2023 18:33

Keepsake like a personalised comforter or something?

Don’t give him your mobile - they collect so much dirt, and the blue light is not good for children.

UWhatNow · 09/03/2023 18:33

We didn’t bother at all until they were 2 or 3. They don’t know and have no recollection. Buy a cake and candles and sing happy birthday for the sake of the other children but save your money for something more worthwhile.

BHRK · 09/03/2023 18:33

We got a cake and that was it! Couldn’t see the point. Will he get gifts from other people so your older kids see that? X

ScarlettSunset · 09/03/2023 18:33

I think it's probably worth getting something, perhaps something that will be more appreciated at an older age, or practical so that he'll always be able to know that you did get him something.

Justmeandthedog1 · 09/03/2023 18:33

Not mean at all. Bake him a cake, maybe some chocolate buttons or whatever suitable treat for a one year old and he’ll be happy. I’m with you on the no plastic tat.

PuttingDownRoots · 09/03/2023 18:34

Just wrap some hand down toys, or his next car seat or the next size clothes.
The first birthday is for everyone else really, the baby doesn't care!

ErinAoife · 09/03/2023 18:34

Buy him some chlothes or put some money into saving account for him

fortifiedwithtea · 09/03/2023 18:34

If he was your first I would agree with you he will have no concept of birthday celebration.

However, he is your 4th , meaning his siblings will be of the age where they understand that birthdays include presents. I think you will get a barrage of why has baby brother not got a present?

Buy him something

Clareicles · 09/03/2023 18:36

Nope. Mine got a cake (photo taken with him and said cake, as a momento, before it was eaten by rest of family!). He had quite enough plastic crap toys without me adding to it.
Parents got him a new table/chairs set and my sister got him some toy cars, but that was basically it. I banned friends from buying him a gift because he was 1 and therefore didn't have a clue. Told them to save their money!

He got pressies when he was 2 and was happy because he knew what it was.

UWhatNow · 09/03/2023 18:37

ScarlettSunset · 09/03/2023 18:33

I think it's probably worth getting something, perhaps something that will be more appreciated at an older age, or practical so that he'll always be able to know that you did get him something.

What is the point? Really? It’s not like he’ll never ever get presents ever again…

Pottedpalm · 09/03/2023 18:37

He probably has more toys/books/clothes than he needs. Money in his savings account. There will doubtless be presents from others to be opened.

Ponderingwindow · 09/03/2023 18:38

It doesn’t have to be a big or expensive present.

It can even be something fairly mundane you would be buying anyway. Planning to replace any bath toys soon? Wrap some up as a birthday present. Maybe a couple of new books would work.

we did all sorts of tiny gifts that were barely gifts in the early years.

Guis23 · 09/03/2023 18:38

Make it a special day somehow for him. A little thing for him ? It seems a bit cold to not celebrate his birth. His age is irrelevant really.

ScarlettSunset · 09/03/2023 18:39

UWhatNow · 09/03/2023 18:37

What is the point? Really? It’s not like he’ll never ever get presents ever again…

Show quote history

Because otherwise he might grow up with older siblings telling him how he didn't get a present for his first birthday and if he realises he was the only one that didn't it could cause resentment later

MarthaMC · 09/03/2023 18:40

You could always wrap up something he already has (or fruit etc.) if he enjoys unwrapping things? But I agree presents and to a degree birthdays seem a bit pointless for a 1 year old... though who knows, maybe the overall experience of a special day sticks with them 🤔

Original poster
baxtersm · 09/03/2023 18:42

I might just wrap some clothes that I'd be buying him anyway and me and his siblings can all bake him a cake! I'm really struggling to remember what they all got for their first birthdays but I'm sure they got plenty and that's why I'm reluctant! They don't remember either obviously so what's the point ? But I do agree with some of the posters that say it's a bit mean lol

OP posts:
MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 09/03/2023 18:42

What?! No cardboard box? You big meanie. Grin