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Original poster

Fun ways to reveal a not-yet-purchased present to the dc?

68 replies

busyrascal · 13/12/2016 10:20

Hi everyone,

We have decided to get dd1(6yo) and dd2(4yo) a kindle fire for kids each for Christmas but are hoping to get a deal on Boxing Day so we don't have to fork out full price. They have got other smaller presents to open on Christmas day but we are hoping to reveal their main present to them on boxing day when PIL are here as they are going halves with us on the cost.

So how would you do it?

At the moment we are thinking of wrapping up a set of headphones each and then explaining what they are for...any better ideas?

OP posts:
AndNowItsSeven · 13/12/2016 10:23

The kindle fire sales were on the week of Black Friday.

AndNowItsSeven · 13/12/2016 10:23

November.

Minniemagoo · 13/12/2016 10:24

I suppose it depends on if they believe in Santa, if not its much easier.
Assuming not then make a voucher for them. Put on it - gets to pick colour/case whatever, maybe incl a hot choc to be included when picking ot up. Make a deal out of them picking it out etc. I wouldnt wrap ear phones, its sort of a we got you this bit but not the rest.

Original poster
busyrascal · 13/12/2016 10:26

Yeah I know they were cheap in November but DH was dithering about whether he wanted to get them or not. And then they were pretty much full price on Black Friday Angry

OP posts:
AndNowItsSeven · 13/12/2016 10:28

Full price? They were 40% off. Hopefully they will reduce them again.

AnnaFiveTowns · 13/12/2016 10:28

To be honest, I don't think the kindle fire will go on sale on boxing day; as AndNow said, they tend to do their deals on black friday; so I'd be inclined to just get them now so that they can play with them on Christmas day.

SausageSoda · 13/12/2016 10:31

I don't think Amazon tend to do a big discount on Boxing Day - they had two weeks of massive discounts in the lead up to Black Friday. I imagine that they will be the same price now as they will be on Boxing Day. Your children are still quite young so it seems a bit mean to make them wait

reallybadidea · 13/12/2016 10:31

I don't think it's by any means certain that they will be reduced on boxing day. Are you really skint, cos tbh I think not giving them the actual present on Xmas day because you are hoping for a bargain is a bit shit.

Why not get them full price and if they go down in price buy the reduced ones and return them with the full price receipt?

rachyconks · 13/12/2016 10:32

My 4 year old would not understand having to wait, so I suppose I would do nothing on Christmas Day and just give it to them as an additional present on Boxing Day. Agree with other posters that it's risky to wait though. Fwiw I got my kids them in the Black Friday sales (£29.99 each), but they are £49.99 now and I would still pay that as they are fantastic value for money!

senua · 13/12/2016 10:36

You are over-thinking this and looking at it from an adult perspective. They are 6 yo and 4 yo. They won't be sitting there on Christmas morning saying "where's my Kindle?". They will probably be too busy playing with something that cost 5p.

Either buy it or don't. But don't play mind-games with LOs with 'this is the present you haven't got yet'. Why spoil Christmas day like that?

OhFuds · 13/12/2016 10:36

You could buy 1 and set up a different profile for them with a set amount of time for each. If they go cheap again buy another.

xarpax · 13/12/2016 10:37

This sounds weird adn slightly depressing

just buy them now

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 13/12/2016 10:37

Amazon don't usually reduce Kindle Fires on Boxing Day - looking at price data for the last two years; they do their big sale in November.

I think I'd scratch this one up to your DH costing you a bargain, and buy them now. It steals some of the magic for your kids to have to wait; especially as it's his fault and not theirs. He could have ordered them at the black friday price and returned them if he'd changed his mind...

I don't think you'll see 40% off again for a while.

FrankAndBeans · 13/12/2016 10:40

Agreeing on the just buy them full price and just buying one.

senua · 13/12/2016 10:40

Why not get them full price and if they go down in price buy the reduced ones and return them with the full price receipt?

To coin a phrase: this is a reallybad idea. If you return pre-Christmas goods you will only get a refund to the value of sale-price. Or else everyone would do this with all goods and the shops would go bust!

Letsgetreadytorumbleagain · 13/12/2016 10:44

Of course you would get full price refund if you have a receipt showing you bought it at full price before Christmas - and I bet loads of people do it!

FrankAndBeans · 13/12/2016 10:44

To coin a phrase: this is a reallybad idea. If you return pre-Christmas goods you will only get a refund to the value of sale-price. Or else everyone would do this with all goods and the shops would go bust!
Not true at all, if they have a refund policy they have to refund you the price you paid proven with a receipt. People do that all the time. As long as the receipt is in date and item has not been opened, crack on.

ParadiseCity · 13/12/2016 10:50

I don't think it is a bad idea whatsoever. I'd get them a calendar (or just print off a month calendar) with the day of 'going to Granny's to collect a customised Kindle' highlighted. And a checklist for them to fill in what film they would like, what game would they like on it, etc.

I have given my DC vouchers for things like experiences and trips etc from a young age and it's great. They get a surprise PLUS the nice anticipation. And I'm sure you will explain it and they will get other things they'll be happy playing with.

ParadiseCity · 13/12/2016 10:51

BTW I bought something on amazon and the price dropped later and they automatically gave me a refund! Might only be on books I don't know. But I was very impressed.

senua · 13/12/2016 10:57

As long as the receipt is in date and item has not been opened, crack on.

So you suggest wafting this gift under the noses of the LOs and then snatching it back, saying "you can't actually play with it. I have to return it unused."Hmm

FrankAndBeans · 13/12/2016 11:00

If that was what she wanted to do, it was not my suggestion. The only point of my post was to point out you were telling porkies Smile and to show it would be an option like the PP had suggested. I, myself, think OP should just buy one outright as I've already said.

reallybadidea · 13/12/2016 11:35

So you suggest wafting this gift under the noses of the LOs and then snatching it back, saying "you can't actually play with it. I have to return it unused

No, if the price drops then you buy a duplicate at the lower price and return it for a refund at full price.

Petalbird · 13/12/2016 11:42

Why do kids that young need a kindle fire let alone one each?? (misses the point)

Stillunexpected · 13/12/2016 11:46

They are 6 and 4. There is no "fun" way of revealing gifts to them that they haven't received - and might not get, if they aren't reduced in price on Boxing Day? Either buy them the gift or not, and if you are going to delay, then just tell them what is happening. There is no point in trying to dress it up in sparkly nonsense!

MiscellaneousAssortment · 13/12/2016 11:48

They're young enough to not know the relative prices of toys therefore is let them have a normal Christmas Day and then surprise them with the Kindle Fire's if you do end up buying them later.

As the purchase of their main presents relies on factors you can't control, I wouldn't raise their hopes unnecessarily.
The plan sounds rather fragile and may not actually happen due to any number of issues such as stock, shop opening/closing times, travel, money etc. In addition, given your partner has already refused to buy them in the sale season, what will happen on Boxing Day if they aren't discounted?

That old saying 'don't count your chickens before they are hatched' comes to mind! And should have another but added... 'especially when it comes to promising children gifts!'