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Original poster

Big pressie - Give it early?

43 replies

autisticbookworm · 20/04/2025 08:50

We have ordered ds whos 9 a switch 2 for his birthday/Christmas present. We are not sure when we will get it but I’m guessing around the release date (June) as we are collecting from the shop. This is about 6 weeks before his birthday. He knows it’s his main present (we checked before buying) I think he should get it when we collect it as he is so excited for it he has watched lots of videos about it and will definitely be caught up in the hype at the time. Dh thinks he should have to wait until his birthday to get it as it is a present. Ds hasn’t asked and isn’t assuming anything.

What do people think, should he have a life lesson of not getting what you want instantly or should he get to enjoy his gift when all other switch fans do?

OP posts:
AprilBunny · 20/04/2025 08:52

I often give gifts like this early.

Unrelated38 · 20/04/2025 08:52

If he knows he's getting it and knows the release date and will be involved in the chatter I think he should get it when you get it.

AllFours · 20/04/2025 08:54

Agree - give it to him when it comes out/you collect it; it will still be exciting 6 weeks later and he’ll probably appreciate being one of the first of his mates who got it!

crumpet · 20/04/2025 08:55

One option could be to give the switch early, and then a new game for the switch on his birthday and at Christmas. I would be inclined though to try to leave it until the birthday

KatyaKat · 20/04/2025 08:55

I'd give it to him on his birthday if it's a birthday present.

FabuIous · 20/04/2025 08:55

Won’t that make his actually birthday pretty rubbish? I’d hold on to it for his birthday.

ForOliveMember · 20/04/2025 08:55

Will he be expecting more gifts on his actual birthday if hes given it early though?

Whinge · 20/04/2025 09:10

I would wait for his actual birthday. If it was a couple of days difference I would say go for it, but 6 weeks is a long time. I would worry that by his actual birthday he will be disappointed that there's no big present.

It's also notice in your post you mention this is a joint Christmas / birthday present. I understand these consoles are expensive, but in the excitement of others getting larger / exciting gifts he might feel he's missing out, even though he got an expensive present in the Summer.

Original poster
autisticbookworm · 20/04/2025 09:12

ForOliveMember · 20/04/2025 08:55

Will he be expecting more gifts on his actual birthday if hes given it early though?

He would get a few small gifts from us plus presents from extended family so would still be lots. Plus one of gifts from grandma will be a game that he will get on his birthday

OP posts:
LlynTegid · 20/04/2025 09:13

I think that if you do give it to him early, any misery or negativity on his actual birthday or at Christmas should have some consequences.

JoyousEagle · 20/04/2025 09:14

Compromise - give him the Switch but don’t give him the charger muahaha

(I’m joking)

MoreChocPls · 20/04/2025 09:14

I’d give it to him early. Kids have so little to be excited about these days and being part of the launch hype is a one off treat.

MummytoAAandX · 20/04/2025 09:15

Personally I would wait til his birthday. 6 weeks is quite a long time and you might feel pressured to get more presents for the day if he's already opened his main one and doesn't have much to open on the day.

Whaleandsnail6 · 20/04/2025 09:16

I wouldn't give it early. I'd give it on his birthday.

I kind of feel like by the time his birthday and Christmas come, the excitement of the switch will have worn off a bit and his birthday and Christmas may feel like an anticlimax given he's only 9/10 and presents are quite an important part of those celebrations at that age

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/04/2025 09:17

Wait for his birthday. Kids need to know that we can’t always have instant gratification.

StrangerOnline · 20/04/2025 09:18

Leaning towards giving it early.
As others have said, it means he can be part of the initial excitement at release time and he is old enough to understand that he won’t get another big present from you six weeks later.
And actually, I think he deserves it – for not assuming or asking to have it early. That shows a good attitude.

eta
regarding life lesson about waiting or not getting instant gratification… this is why many people use credit cards. It is also teaching him that in some situations instant gratification is possible but the consequence is there’s no present on the actual birthday (or paying it off monthly).

ChompinCrocodiles · 20/04/2025 09:20

We never give gifts early...it seems very odd to me. Especially at 9, which is still so young.

I think several weeks is plenty of time for the shine/novelty to wear off something and his birthday then just passes with no present, which seems sad.

If we buy our dc something for their birthday, they get it on their birthday. Ditto with Christmas.

Dizzly · 20/04/2025 09:25

I think save it for his birthday, assuming that is not very far into the school hols. He's having his Christmas present very early, no need to move it earlier than his birthday too. He can still be part of the excitement knowing he is getting one really very soon after the release.

bridgetreilly · 20/04/2025 09:26

Birthday.

KatyaKat · 20/04/2025 09:29

MoreChocPls · 20/04/2025 09:14

I’d give it to him early. Kids have so little to be excited about these days and being part of the launch hype is a one off treat.

Why do kids have so little to be excited about these days?

TheMumEdit · 20/04/2025 09:33

On his birthday

milleniumstar · 20/04/2025 09:34

Birthday for me to make the birthday the special day

NerdyBird · 20/04/2025 09:35

Wait until his birthday. If you're not quite sure when you're getting he won't know if he's waited six weeks or one, as you presumably aren't going to tell him when you've collected it.

Whichever option you choose, it would be a good idea to carefully open it and set it up beforehand, or have a good distraction for him on the day while you do it.

Whataninterestinglookingpotato · 20/04/2025 09:46

I’d wait until his birthday. It’s only 6 weeks later and the wait will do him no harm. If anything it’ll build the anticipation and excitement.

DDivaStar · 20/04/2025 09:51

I'd give early. Its not instant gratification, there is a release date he's waited for. What good is it sitting in a cupboard.

Obviously it has to be discussed presents at birthday and Christmas will be minimal.