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Original poster

To buy this gift for 3.5 year old?

35 replies

andanotherproblem · 12/12/2025 17:30

I went shopping today, I bought a Christmas present for a 3.5 year old and just thought it was cute as I don’t know her too well or what she has. Now I’ve got home I’m thinking is it acceptable to buy a 3.5 year old pretend make up? I personally wouldn’t be bothered if someone bought for my DD but I don’t know what others may think.

To buy this gift for 3.5 year old?
OP posts:
lilyboleyn · 12/12/2025 17:35

I wouldn’t give it to mine, but I’d say thank you and pretend to love it.

BuffaloCauliflower · 12/12/2025 17:36

I wouldn’t mind my 3 year old playing with it, but it’s not the sort of thing I’d buy for someone else’s child without expressly asking the parents or being very sure they’d be happy with it.

Hesma · 12/12/2025 17:40

Not for a 3 year old

Stade197 · 12/12/2025 17:46

I wouldn't buy it for someone else's child just because you don't know if they approve of make up or if the child has sensitive skin (I could never buy my niece anything like this when she was small as it would cause eczema)

FreeOnFriday · 12/12/2025 17:49

Stade197 · 12/12/2025 17:46

I wouldn't buy it for someone else's child just because you don't know if they approve of make up or if the child has sensitive skin (I could never buy my niece anything like this when she was small as it would cause eczema)

This.

dairydebris · 12/12/2025 17:51

No way. I'd be pissed if you bought that for my 8 year old let alone 3 year old. Cheap nail polish and make up? No no no. Sorry.

Can you take it back and get something else? Maybe a squishmellow?

TheCosyViewer · 12/12/2025 17:51

If someone has given that to my DD at that age, we’d have said thank you and it would go into the charity bag.

A colouring book and crayons, a sticker book, books or a book-token would be more suitable for a haven’t a clue what to get gift for that age.

tinyspiny · 12/12/2025 17:54

I wouldn’t give it to a child of mine and wouldn’t have bought it for anyone else’s child either , like a pp said I’d say thanks and then it would be in the charity shop bag .

youalright · 12/12/2025 17:54

If its fake make up then fine if thats actually nail polish absolutely not

BeforeSigourneyWeaverTheyWoveTheirOwnSigourneys · 12/12/2025 17:55

I would thank you for it and then stick it to the charity shop.

As much as I love cleaning glittery smush from carpets and clothes and out of hair I would rather not chance it.

TeenToTwenties · 12/12/2025 17:56

I wouldn't like it from the pov of: sensitive skin, mess, indoctrination into makeup.
I'd thank you politely and then charity shop as I wouldn't regift for same reasons.

Luxio · 12/12/2025 17:57

Stade197 · 12/12/2025 17:46

I wouldn't buy it for someone else's child just because you don't know if they approve of make up or if the child has sensitive skin (I could never buy my niece anything like this when she was small as it would cause eczema)

Agreed. I'm sure the recipient will be polite when receiving it but I don't know anyone who would actually allow their 3 year old to use it either due to not approving of make up or because it's likely to be full of stuff that's not good for children's skin.

Lookingforthejoy · 12/12/2025 17:57

Looks like real make up to me.

pimplebum · 12/12/2025 17:57

a three year old will spill and smear it so not suitable from that point of view

id not buy for friends because of the girly connotations

BeansAndNoodles · 12/12/2025 18:06

I wouldn't have let my 3 yr old keep that, sorry.

I've just google lens searched it and for starters it says age 5+ on the packet. It also appears to be real nail polish.

It wouldn't be touching the skin on one of my DC!

Bundleflower · 12/12/2025 18:16

It wouldn’t bother me (assuming child doesn’t have sensitive skin) but would only be used on a hard, easy to clean floor.

Bearbookagainandagain · 12/12/2025 18:21

I wouldn't give it to mine, but I wouldn't give it to her if she was 5 or 7 either. So it's probably me.

Imenti · 12/12/2025 18:21

No I wouldn't like this for my 3.5 year old, I'm happy for her to have that kind of thing when she s a lot older (around 7-8 probably). If she got gifted that I'd say thank you, put it away and hope she forgot about it!

Clefable · 12/12/2025 18:22

lilyboleyn · 12/12/2025 17:35

I wouldn’t give it to mine, but I’d say thank you and pretend to love it.

Yep, same here!

CurlewKate · 12/12/2025 18:23

I wouldn’t have wanted anyone to give it to mine-sorry!

hattie43 · 12/12/2025 18:24

It is cute but not for a 3yrs old .

Imicola · 12/12/2025 18:28

My DD is 7 and I'd be swearing under my breath if she got this. Many parents are fine with it, but many aren't... and once it's been opened it puts parents in a rather difficult position if they don't approve.

WheresBillGrundyNow · 12/12/2025 20:37

I think it’s nice. I just bought something similar for DD’s friends bday. She’s six and specifically asked for real makeup though.
If the parents don’t like the idea of her putting it on herself, she could make up her dolls.
That’s what I did with dd when she went through the short lived “interested in makeup stage” at about 4yo.
Only thing about three and half yo is they’d have to be supervised with it because they’re still quite liable to poke themselves in the eye or eat it or something crazy. That might cause tantrums and be a bit of a pita.
Personally I probably wouldn’t have bought it for someone else’s kid unless I knew they wanted it and that it wouldn’t irritate the parents to be completely honest but it’s bought now and it’s the thought that counts after all.

TootsMaHoots · 12/12/2025 20:41

Mine had wooden make up when they were little. It was great because I could sit on a cushion and get a make over but I didn’t look like a pantomime dame at the end. They didn’t get real make up until they were much older and I wouldn’t like anyone giving them make up.

Zanatdy · 12/12/2025 20:42

I wouldn’t use it for mine that young. I’d return it

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