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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Help mum/santa out…

32 replies

decafisnotthesame · 05/12/2025 12:01

My 5 year old son has written to Santa and asked for a jack-in-the-box. A jack-in-the-box has never been mentioned ever before and when I’ve looked they’re about £20-30 and aimed at 18m+. AIBU to not want to spend this sort of money on a toy he’ll never actually play with?!

Help needed….does anyone have any toy ideas that are like a jack-in-the-box but better suited to a 5 year old? Maybe a box that’s electronic and shoots rockets or something?!? Anything that I can pass off as “Santa thought you were really grown up so might like this type of jack-in-the-box type thing instead”.

TIA

OP posts:
Original poster
decafisnotthesame · 05/12/2025 14:31

It’s so tricky isn’t it. I don’t want to second guess his choice but also don’t want to waste money or more importantly for him to be disappointed when he realises it doesn’t do much.

I think asking some probing questions is a great shout to find out exactly what is in his head. I just have to hope what he describes is something that actually exists 😂

OP posts:
Epidote · 05/12/2025 14:36

IsThisTheWaytoSlamMyPillow · 05/12/2025 14:29

@decafisnotthesame - Marks and Spencer have some Santa Jack in a Box biscuits for £10. It’s a tin J in a B, Santa pops up, it’s musical and has star shaped biscuits in it.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/food/santa-jack-in-a-box-musical-tin/p/fdp60753640

I was going to suggest this one. I have it. Biscuits are OK and the tin is cute.

UsernameShmusername2024 · 05/12/2025 14:54

I had exactly the same with my son although I think he was maybe 6 - but he also asked for a Jack in the Box from Father Christmas and I was really reluctant to buy it knowing that really he was too old for it and wouldn't play with it much. I was too scared to deviate from the list though and went with it - I was glad I did as he knew it was what he'd asked for but I don't remember it getting much play! I would definitely try to find one secondhand.

GertieLawrence · 05/12/2025 17:58

I loved my Jack in the box. You wound the handle and it played pop goes the weasel. Remember it v clearly and I’m nearly 60! I’d say don’t second guess what he’ll enjoy, he’ll probably be totally charmed by it.

Oneborneverydecade · 05/12/2025 19:33

Pineapplewaves · 05/12/2025 13:12

Have you asked him where he got the idea from? Has he seen one anywhere? Do any of his friends have one? Does he have one in mind?

When I was a child one of the latest toys was a brown monkey that sucked its thumb, all my friends had one and I wanted one too. I had no idea what it was called or where to get one so I simply asked Santa for a brown monkey - I got a random brown monkey soft toy and I was so disappointed, I had been looking forward to getting this specific monkey. I think I was around 6, I’m 48 now and I’ve never forgotten about that monkey!

A Monchichi? You find them to buy again recently although they do look a bit different

Mydadsbirthday · 06/12/2025 06:37

This thread is so lovely ❤️

I'm loving the ironing board that fell off the sleigh

I also had the my little pony shed!

And one year yes I asked for the Flower fairies castle or house or something and my mum obviously thought it was too expensive and got me the flower shaped bed instead which was lovely but not the same!

Hope you get something appropriate OP. Your little boy sounds lovely

Mouse45 · 06/12/2025 09:53

decafisnotthesame · 05/12/2025 12:01

My 5 year old son has written to Santa and asked for a jack-in-the-box. A jack-in-the-box has never been mentioned ever before and when I’ve looked they’re about £20-30 and aimed at 18m+. AIBU to not want to spend this sort of money on a toy he’ll never actually play with?!

Help needed….does anyone have any toy ideas that are like a jack-in-the-box but better suited to a 5 year old? Maybe a box that’s electronic and shoots rockets or something?!? Anything that I can pass off as “Santa thought you were really grown up so might like this type of jack-in-the-box type thing instead”.

TIA

Choc tin in m and s seen then ten quid😍

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