To ask my mum to help me with DS's birthday present?

[MrsSnape]

It is DS2's birthday in Feb. My mum has just been saying that she has no idea what to buy him. Neither do I as he got everything he wanted for Christmas and still doesn't play with half of it.

Anyway I have been wanting to get him a Guinea Pig for ages, he'd love it so much but the cages cost a fortune (about £60 for a good one to house 2 pigs).

Would it be cheeky to suggest to my mum that we go halfs on a Guinea Pig cage and give him it as a joint present?

No i don't think it being cheeky.

Perhaps she can buy the house and you the guinea pig.

Have you tried e-bay or freecycle for cages ?

If you found one local to you even on ebay it would save a lot of money.

If your ds doesn't play with lots of his stuff then ebay it and use the proceeds to buy the cage. Your mum could buy the guinea pigs and you'd be saving loads plus gaining some toy free space to house the cage and its occupants.

not cheeky at all, sensible

DS wanted lego that cost £140 for his birthday - we siad if that was what he wanted he would have to ask for money from all the family and put it together to buy the lego himself - he did and was very pleased with it, as were the family knowing he had got a present he really wanted. DS is 9 though.

our local charity shop based at the recycling centre (ie the dump) always has hutches and cages.

i think it's a brilliant idea, and I'm sure your mother will think so too. That way you can get him something he'll love, easing the cost, and your mother doesn't have to stress as to what to get him. If you feel bad asking for half the money, why not tell your idea for the present and ask her to contribute whatever she wants to.

God no, that's sensible. My DS1 was 9 on new years day & we asked everyone to chip in with a bike.(we were paying £70 quid for a party & obviously it was Christmas the week before)
My MIL gave £20, Nan £15 & my parents will also give me some in a couple of weeks when we go to visit.. so I definitely think that's a sensible idea.. it helps you out & also your DCs don't end up with plastic tat that you/they would rather they didn't have (potentially - no offence)

Good point about freecycle for cages though - keep a look out, or post a wanted ad.

Not cheeky at all!! We did this for my DS's bday - loads of people chipped in to get him rabbits & all the bits that they need. Everyone loved it as they got him something he loved and every time they come over they see the ongoing saga of rabs!

NBU to ask her, no.

I don't think I'd give a pet as a gift though.

'tis obviously a good idea - but you should probably have a back up just in case she says no.

know what you mean bang - we did it - but you have to be so careful. and you have to be ready to do all the work for the animal of course!! Also get them from a rescue, not a pet shop! I can help with ideas if you need them I have learned a lot of ethically taking care of animals.

Not a bad idea at all Mrs Snape, makes sense to go halves. One point to make though, guinea pigs are very sociable animals, (my dc's have two). I was advised to buy a pair from the same litter as one could be lonely on its own, which is what we did and they've lived very happily in the same cage for a year now!

I asked her and she agreed it was a good idea She said she was considering changing some money into dollars for him for when we go to america in Oct so either way he won't be getting anything he won't make use of.

Onthepier, I agree, I will be getting two rather than one