AIBU not to buy 8 month old Xmas presents

[Movingstressangst]

It will be my baby's first Christmas and I'm so excited for things like the lovely family time and seeing his reaction to the Christmas tree.

But ... I'm completely stuck on what to get him! He's sort of between stages, where he has all the walker/bouncers etc, but isn't ready for the next phase. Money is also obviously tight with mat leave. Part of me thinks that with our big extended family he'll be totally overwhelmed by new things, but will I regret not getting him anything 'big' for his first Christmas?? I have got him a few very little bits (maybe<£30). What did others do? He's honestly chuffed with a bit of foil to play with 🤣.

I would get a lovely version of a classic childrens' book as a keepsake, a cute outfit and take lots of photos.

Save your mind towards some garden toys in the summer.

*money

Yes, a personalised tree bauble is a great idea. Not On The High Street have some lovely ones, the Peter Rabbit ones are so sweet, I bought one for little grandson last year.

some kind of ‘Baby’s first Christmas’ bauble to put on the tree.
Can enjoy putting on the tree together every year!

Completely understand!

Neither of our 2 got much from us for their first christmas for the same reasons!

We did however, buy both a nice edition of a picture book, and wrote them a nice message on the inside. Something they'll hopefully keep forever.

At that age I did a stocking (from Father Christmas) of some little bits - Christmas socks, buggy book, bootees, a satsuma etc

Then one present from us which wasn't a big thing but a toy that would last a long time.

Get a nice Christmas photo of him and put in a frame as a memento.

My ds was 4 months old. We brought little sack for him and had some gifts like a soft toy etc inside.

Things he kept until adulthood. In fact he used the small material sack as a stocking until last Xmas when he was 18 and said he wasn't putting it out anymore 🤣

The sentimental thing could be a simple plaster cast of your little ones handsome, w piece of art made with family finger prints, taking the time to ensure you have some nice photos, a walk in the park, a bubble machine for a fiver etc .

Honestly if they have what they need I would embrace it.

I got mine The Night Before Christmas book when the oldest was very small. It came out year after year at their request to be read to them.

YANBU. If you want some things wrapped up, get things like clothes in the next size that DS will need regardless of Christmas!

Don't bother. Or buy things he needs (clothes).

Honestly, set out as you mean to go on - set expectations for a few things (including clothes) not a massive fuck off wish list of tat from an early age.

We didn't get anything for first Christmas or birthday. They got stuff from family and they were none the wiser. Save your money.

You'll more likely regret it if you buy something you don't need. Memories don't need to cost anything and are what's important.

I'd think for the future. Perhaps put whatever you'd spend on a gift(s) as money into a savings account instead. Or for something nearer in the future you'd like them to have - such as a toddler tower.

No idea what we got for ours. Probably wrapped up some vests or something. I’m not keen on ‘forced’ mementoes like Baby’s 1st Christmas t-shirts/ornaments etc; I’ve kept plenty of keepsakes over the years but they’re things that the dc were fond of for their own reasons, not something bought specifically to be kept.

We got a bauble with a reindeer made out of dc's footprint as a momento of first Christmas. Otherwise, we got two small things for them! They got a ridiculous nr of things from family, more than they needed.

Why don’t you get a 1st Christmas ornament? Otherwise they can’t open presents anyway so I’d keep that for next year

@Movingstressangst

grinch!!!

no, you're not. 😂😂

i think something lovely like a Jelly Cat bunny or other good quality teddy/cuddly and take a photo of their first Christmas Present, then something like a a baby grow with 'my first Christmas' and their first tree ornament. My fist Christmas booties are cute hung in the tree each year.

If they don't have older siblings then I'd only buy things I'd be getting them in the next few months anyway, but if family are buying stuff I'd probably just wait & see.

make a list if things you'd like them to have so IF family & friends ask, you have a list ready - a wide range from a baby book, so people can spend what they're comfortable with.

loads of 'firsts' photos!!!

@VenusClapTrap

tgats ok, we balance each other out 😂😂

When the DDs were that age, I wrapped their favourite toy and when it was unwrapped they were so delighted 😀

This is what I was going to say 🙂

Not mean at all. What about something small though like a Christmas dec with their name on it.

And if post Xmas you feel mean you can get something in the sales for next stage up whatever that may be

A keepsake is a lovely idea and I'd stick with what you've already got. If you've any spare cash in your Christmas budget put it into a savings account. Think of all the school trips and after school activities you'll be paying for in the future!

I have two... eldest will be 4.5y/o at xmas and youngest will be 7 months. I've got him some books and jigsaws and the main present is this Baby Einstein piano and guitar which is suitable from 6 months to 4 years apparently. It's something that I think both kids would like otherwise I wouldn't have got it and DS2 wouldn't have got anything 'big'. Plus it was half price at the time so only cost £35 and I knew I'd regret not snapping it up at that price.