Big pressie - Give it early?

[autisticbookworm]

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?

Do we live in the same year? Kids never had more to be excited about!

OP I would not give it early, it’s a big birthday present not a random day of the year present. Unless you only have wealthy friends, I doubt all his mates get it on release day.

If he was older I'd give it earlier but he's 9 and 6 weeks at 9 can be long enough to forget it was supposed to be a birthday present and feel disappointed on his birthday at the lack of 'big present'.

It’s a Xmas and birthday present so giving it between the two makes sense.

Give it when you get it he understands now and he will get enjoyment from it and so will you

Also, I don’t think it’s fair to say that a mid year birthday present is also a Christmas present.

It’s £400 we don’t spend that much on one occasion.

I know...such an odd comment!

Ds3 is 7. He gets excited about a pit stop at Lidl to get a Begian Bun from the bakery, never mind a birthday 😂

I'd wait till his birthday, it will be a bit flat if he's already got his present. Part of the fun of birthdays is the anticipation.

It's only 6 weeks after the launch, and while I don't think birthdays should be generally used as learning experiences, a little bit of delayed gratification isn't going to hurt him. His friends aren't all going to be given the new console on the day it comes out, he'll cope.

I would give it to him eatkt, he is old enough to understand.
DD has asked for it for Christmas.

Which Christmas was it a gift for? If he’s already waited for it since Christmas 2024 then give it to him as soon as you’ve collected it. If it’s for Christmas 2025, make him wait.

Surely give it to him on his birthday so he’s got something to really look forward to.

I’d wait until his birthday.

You’re paying a premium to get it when it’s released so I’m saying give it straight away. I think it’s a total waste to have it sitting in a cupboard for 6 weeks. And, I actually think it’s really unfair if he knows it’s there. He’s old enough to understand, on his actually birthday, that he’s already got his present. We’ve done similar and it’s never been a problem.

I’d give it early mainly as it’s an expensive electronic present and if there are any faults, missing parts, other issues you need to sort it sooner rather than later.

So getting it all set up and used straight away is far more sensible IMO.

it perhaps does detract from the actual day of his birthday a bit, but that’s life if you want expensive presents when they are released so a good lesson to learn in a way.

But you are spending that much. And Christmas is ages away.

The game console is released in June. He can get a small game for the console at Christmas.
This is huge for a 9 year old, he'll remember it forever and it will teach him a valuable lesson in gratitude.

Good point

I'd normally wait but there is so much hype about the Switch 2, I'd have to give it early. It's major excitement for anyone who is looking forward to the launch.