Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

DS is 2 - is it bad if

17 replies

Fifibluebell · 13/11/2013 10:00

I don't actually get him anything for Xmas? He's my only DC. Obviously other people will give him things but I can't really afford to get him anything I'm desperately trying to spend as little as possible to clear my overdraft which isn't huge but don't want to keep living off it! He doesn't really NEED any toys as his birthday was only September and he got spoilt by everyone!! He wasn't interested in unwrapping birthday presents he had tantrums whenever I tried to get him to open anything even if I ripped it a little so he could see inside a little he didn't want to do it so I actually unwrapped the presents about 2 days later and once he saw what it was out of the box he got excited but he couldn't really give a hoot. Is it awful of me? Feel guilty! Anyone else not buying for toddler?

OP posts:
RevengeWiggle · 13/11/2013 10:01

I'd get him something small, even just sweets or a colouring book or something.

WallyBantersJunkBox · 13/11/2013 10:03

If he has a lot of toys could you just find something he's never played with and re-wrap it?

It would be just my luck that DS would suddenly decide he loved opening presents the year I have nothing wrapped.

Otherwise save your money and sort your overdraft - you can enjoy some nice days out next year instead.

Original poster
Fifibluebell · 13/11/2013 10:18

Ooo thanks for your replies I didn't want to end up buying cheap tat for a few pounds that will probably break within a week but didn't think of something like a colouring book and re wrapping things just incase he loves unwrapping now such good ideas! Thanks so much feel a bit better Smile

OP posts:
MyLeftElbow · 13/11/2013 10:22

I would get him things he needs an wrap them - new socks, pj's, toothbrush, toothpaste, hat, scarf, gloves and maybe the crayons/colouring book Smile

milk · 13/11/2013 12:00

You must get him a present... binoculars made from toilet rolls, A pirate ship (actually a cardboard box but with a bed sheet sail could be a boat)... what I'm trying to say is your DS won't care if the gift is bought or made, they just wanna have fun Grin

bundaberg · 13/11/2013 12:03

yanbu. he is 2, he won't know that you personally didn't get anything. and he'll have plenty of things from other people

ChunkyPickle · 13/11/2013 12:05

I didn't bother getting DS anything really for the first couple of years, then only got token silly stuff (a helium balloon and some sweets he liked) the 3rd year (when he was 2) - this is the first year I'll get him a proper present.

I used the same reasoning as you - he'll be getting so many bits and pieces from other people and he's so young he doesn't appreciate what's going on or who gives him what, so one more present from me really wasn't needed.

MysteriousHamster · 13/11/2013 12:08

My 2 year old LOVED Christmas last year. We didn't break the bank either. I got some ebay bargains and then useful things like colouring books, clothes he would like, etc.

I've have at least a little something for him to open as he will realise there's something going on.

bundaberg · 13/11/2013 13:09

i don't doubt that many 2 year olds really do love christmas. but he won't actually really know who the presents are from.
it'll be fine

girlywhirly · 13/11/2013 13:32

What about a big cardboard box that could be made into a pretend 'car' to sit in and 'drive? Could you enlist the help of friends or family in creating it?

Is there anything you could sew or knit from remnants, I made a Humpty Dumpty for my DS who was 2 and 4mths out of odds and ends of fabrics left over from other things, as it was his favourite nursery rhyme. The only thing I had to buy was wool for its' hair. He loved it.

Original poster
Fifibluebell · 13/11/2013 13:56

Loveee the cardboard box idea! I had a look on Pinterest and think I will do a train for him I'm sure he will be pleased with that! And I do have quite a few boxes in my garage not doing anything.

OP posts:
girlywhirly · 13/11/2013 15:16

Great! He will not look at it and think he's just been given a box, he will see that it is a fun thing to play with. Even if it only lasts a short time, it will have been worth the effort.

UnderCoverChristmasElf · 13/11/2013 16:02

Box of balloons always a big hit.

secretscwirrels · 13/11/2013 16:26

Let me tell you what happened when DS1 was 3 and DS2 was 9 months.
I wrapped up a few of DS1s old toys for DS2 to "open" (this was really for DS1s benefit).
I did a stocking for DS1 of bits all wrapped up. Probably less than £5 worth.
..... and spent a fortune on big stuff.
DS1 opened his stocking presents and was utterly delighted with them. He set to playing with them and never expected any more, he didn't realise that father christmas had left all the big presents under the tree.He had no need at all for all the other stuff I had bought.Blush

FixItUpChappie · 13/11/2013 21:50

Of course he wont remember and your not horrible at all if you cant afford it.

If you would enjoy though getting him something small/a stocking there are lots of options. Gifts don't have to be expensive OR tat - its not a one or the other situation. Its nice to establish the stocking tradition from Santa too.

Good small stuff I've picked up on sale or for very little: glitter glue (my son loves being let loose with a bottle of glue and some tissue paper Grin), stickers, colouring books, watercolor paint books, play dough, a little people wheelie car or some other little car/truck. a flashlight etc.

I saw a great pinterest post.....a lady had taped off a car track all over her house and gave her kiddo a little hot-wheels car. So fun.

Mines getting a swim mask bought on sale for 2 dollars at an end of summer sale. With a bit of effort and creativity you can do a lot with very little.

ShoeWhore · 13/11/2013 22:12

I have 3 boys. By the time we get to ds3 we are often struggling for ideas for presents as he already has all his big brothers' stuff. For his 2nd birthday I bought him a cheap football (it was £2) - he adored it (as I knew he would - he was obsessed with balls).

He doesn't seem to be scarred for life as far as I can tell Grin

The cardboard box idea is genius (I've also seen the idea of filling a cardboard box with balloons, which would be v cheap and ace too)

New posts on this thread. Refresh page