Too Expensive for a Christmas present?

[DanceTeacherMom]

My 8 year old daughter is really into art, and has asked for a large set of markers for Christmas. The makers she has asked for are high end and she will not settle for cheaper ones. They are 300 pounds and I know she will use them a lot but I have 4 main concerns.

1. I wouldn't know what to get for my 6 year old to make up for that as I don't want to get her gymnastics mat etc as id rather that be a joint present, but with her being 6 she doesn't have any main interests except cheaper toys and dance equiptment (most of which she has as I own a studio).

2. She is well aware of the price and I'm concerned she will become spoilt if I buy her something that expensive. And I couldn't bring myself to not getting her other presents aswell.

3. The set she wants has 72 markers and she won't settle for a smaller pack as there is 'not enough colours'.

Should I get them?

Buy her a piggy bank she can decorate and teach her what it means to save money. No I’m not joking www.bakerross.co.uk/ceramic-piggy-banks

Are markers the same as felt tip pens? As in for colouring but in a not especially artistic way because you can’t blend or owt that you do with chalks/pastels etc?

Holy cow, if that’s what they are then listen to the professional artist above who thinks it’s mad for her let alone a small child!

I think the cost is a red herring as it depends on your lifestyle/disposable income. Expensive is relative.

The pens are not in themselves a frivolous present apart from cost. They are for a hobby/talent you’d like to encourage.
What is worrying is the way you’ve described your DD’s demands. If she really ‘won’t settle for anything less’, you’ve got a problem.

In terms of fairness, I tend to go with levels of joy per child rather than matching cost.

DD4’s pleasure at a whole packet of chocolate Buttons easily equals the teen’s new phones. The cost will level out as they all get older.

There is no way i would spend that much on a present never mind a set of pens.
However if you do go ahead, assuming they are Copic markers, you can get them for at least half that price with a quick Google

What do these markers do that normal ones don't? Is she in fact wildly talented at art? Does she have an art teacher who can advise you, or do you know any pro artists you could ask? If it was something she'd genuinely benefit from and would have some lifespan I wouldn't automatically be against. But then a question of can your budget stretch. And if it is stretching budget then any extra gifts would be very token indeed - some nice paper to draw on maybe. Or as others have suggested if it's really over budget you could offer her some money towards saving for it. But you do need to find out if this is a sensible choice at her level of ability or just burning money, I wouldn't let her if there's a cheaper but just as good option.

I don't think you need to balance gifts exactly each year. It will balance out over time. And I do think it would be fine to get the little one a gym mat if that's something she would enjoy and is in budget, even if big one will use it too. So much of the time little ones get to inherit stuff they enjoy without "spending" a gift choice on it.

I’d offer a smaller pack then say she can add to them with pocket money/birthday/next Christmas. If that’s not good enough then no deal 🤷🏻‍♀️

Don't be ridiculous

I’m guessing Copic markers?

I paid a similar amount for my dd for her 14th birthday but only because she would benefit from them in her Art GCSE.

No WAY would I buy them for anyone younger.

She’s not doing her Art A level OP she’s 8 years old!! It’s madness and you know it. As for “she won’t settle” well my flabber is well and truly gasted!

Depends how much of an expense it is for you? I would, but if it will mean you scrimping then I wouldn’t.

Should you get them?

Absolutely not.

She won't settle? How about she's grateful for anything that she receives. Jesus Christ.

£300 😵 they’ll only run out and she’ll probably leave the lids off!

Could you Google the pens and see if there is a alternative and show her that they are as good as? Kids get Xboxs and ps4 for Xmas which are about the same so the money really isn't the issue it's weather you think she'll get as much use out of them.

She ‘won’t settle’ for a cheaper set?! Wow. Just wow.

£160 on Amazon

It’s not the cost for me, it’s the attitude. She ‘won’t settle’ for anything else?

I wouldn't simply on principle and the fact that she is demanding them!

Sod that. And yes £300 for colouring pens is ridiculous.

Am guessing Copic? They are great and my 12 year old has some and does some amazing creations with them, they are great for blending. However, there is no way I would spend £300 on a set of 72 for him. I would suggest getting her a couple of small packs and then say she can buy more with any money she gets?

I thought Copic as well - my daughters have had them for Xmas before but on,y when they’ve been 15+ and I’ve got them from Amazon Lightning deals at vastly reduced prices.

They’re fantastic pens but not for young children

Copic Set A Ciao Marker (Pack of 72) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000MRR41E/ref=cmswwrcppapi_2.CCBbAEAPX4G

£160 including delivery from Japan

For an 8 year old I'd go for Copic-a-like set like this tops

Artist Necessary Graphic Marker Pen Double Ended Finecolour Sketch Marker Broad and Fine Point Tip with Black Bag (Black 80 colours) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06W565KL8/ref=cmswwrcppapi_wcDCBbDSNWZG1

How did she hear about them? There are surely other high end markers that aren't so expensive. I'd tell her she can have a smaller set or none. Demanding isn't on.

🙄 aye right.

I understand all of your comments and my daughter is in no way 'bratty'. I also agree with the comments stating '300pounds on markers for an 8 year old' as I was astonished at the price and I dont think her age would work well with the quality of the markers. The reason she wanted those particular ones is because her aunt is an artist and lets her use them sometimes. I wasn't planning on buying them but wanted to know what other people would do. I will be buying her some cheaper markers an explaining that at 8 years old she doesn't need such things. Thank you very much for your input! x