Is it acceptable to ask for furniture and bedding as Christmas gifts?

[Mastmw7g]

We just bought a house on Monday and really don't have much money to spare. Grandparents are asking what to buy for Christmas already, and I can think of so many things the kids need for their rooms. They have beds, but nothing else. DD wants a bookcase that looks like a giant dolls house, for example. And my older DS wants Minecraft bedding and a gaming desk. So is it acceptable to ask for these things, or is it my responsibility to provide them and grandparents should be buying toys?

The children aren’t getting any toys? No that’s not right, fine to have some practical things they need as well as fun presents but someone needs to get them something fun too.

As adults we often get practical gifts eg this year I want some kitchen things. My parents bought DD’s new bed this year but they also got her toys too.

You bought a house but don’t have a tv.? Right.

DS1 wanted a cabin bed, ie slightly raised with cupboards underneath. There was a gap between the cupboards which allowed access to the area behind the cupboards (they didn't go the full depth of the bed). It didn't last long! Only a few years. But the play value for the time he had it was immense. We never regretted it.

Are you casting doubt on OP's veracity? Or are you suggesting a TV should be a higher priority than a house?

I was going to say 100% yes till I read your update that you don’t have money for toys.

I’d prefer grandparents buy some toys in this case. Little kids should have some fun presents at Christmas.

Maybe you could find some of the necessities cheap at a charity shop or a resale website instead?

Normally I’m very practical, but not for little ones at Christmas!

Will the grandparents buy the exact things the children want or will they buy similar items, IE a regular bookshelf?

Leave the garden for now, make it a Spring project.

For the book case you could do it cheaper with a 2*2 kallax unit and some wood to make a pitched roof

@fourelementary We lived in a very small place before. They had Murphy beds we sold with the home. Same with the tv. This will be their first time with their own rooms, so my oldest son doesn't have a desk. I'll think about getting the ikea shelves instead for my daughter. Maybe I can do something temporary with tape to make it look like a house.

The stuff they want is a bit like toys anyway, a gaming desk, dolls house style bookcase, it not like buying a normal chest of drawers

Go for it! Presents are about the receiver after all! Many people forget that

DS1 wanted a cabin bed, ie slightly raised with cupboards underneath. There was a gap between the cupboards which allowed access to the area behind the cupboards (they didn't go the full depth of the bed). It didn't last long! Only a few years. But the play value for the time he had it was immense. We never regretted it.

whixh is fine if you have the money to replace a bed (or shelf) in a few years- but really? A house shaped shelf that probably doesn’t even fit most of the stuff on it that’s needed compared to a sturdy shelf that can fit boxes of stuff is just false economy for a family clearly struggling with finances…

What's your point?

Plenty of people don't have spare money left over when they have just bought a house.

Why do you find it so hard to comprehend?

Could you suggest that the grandparents get the children the new bedding they want plus a small gift of their choosing? That ways the kids get something needed at a gift (or two) to open.
I think furniture is your responsibility, and also feel you need to get you kids at least a couple of things to open.

I think it would be better maybe to ask for vouchers for the shop you want this stuff from. Easier.

Surely they had a tv wherever they were living before, even a small one?

@Queucumber Everything attached to the walls was sold with our last home, including the TV.

It could seem like a big ask. I'd go for vouchers.

For minecraft bedding, put an ask out on a local FB page. Someone will have that lurking somewhere and pass it on. :)

Horrible mum guilt!!! We did this for DD. I just asked her and she said, "no I loved it". Depends on the child.

Mine have had functional Christmas presents before and liked them. But big family so lots of toys from other people.

I think it was Sort Your life out... they made a doll house bookslef by painting the roof onto the wall, and adding curtains.

@sollenwir We had a tv before, but it was sold with our last home. We have a table and chairs, beds, mattresses for all but the trundle of DD's daybed and the top bunk of my older son's bunk bed. We do have bedding already for the three kids to sleep in, but not bedding for the "extra" beds (trundle and bunk). We did spend the money to paint their rooms, but we're painting those ourselves.

I am sure you will get it all the way you want it eventually.
Only you know how the relatives might react to being asked to give/contribute to more practical gifts. I suppose there is no harm in asking, and making it clear that it is an ask. Regardless of how that goes I hope the kids have some things to unwrap on the day too.

My parents would love this they're both very practical and hate tat. They would be thrilled to buy lovely things the kids would enjoy everyday

My children’s grandparents will love to buy something like that for them certainly. The only issue I have is when you said they won’t be getting any toys.
If I was that strapped for cash and can save just a few bits before Christmas, I’ll prefer to ask the grandparents to buy the fun gifts like the toys and I’ll then furnish their bedroom from Facebook Marketplace. I do always love a bargain and when DD1 got her own room, we painted the room so we only bought paints and all the big furnishing like the bed-frame, desk and chair, etc were bought from Facebook and the others from b&m. You’ll end up spending less on these things overall

Speaking as a grandparent, I would much rather buy - or contribute towards - something wanted and needed.

I think its fine.
I'd encourage picking "fun" bedding or quirky / fun storage and furniture (eg house frame bed).

My DM is buying us fitted sheets for Christmas because it's what we need and I am about to go on mat leave and she is awesome.