What They Want or What They'd Use?

[BollocksToBrexit]

What would you do if what you wanted to get your DC was different to what they want?

We've got DS5 a kids 'go pro' type camera. He spends all his time either watching youtube clips of kids playing or playing himself and narrating what he's doing for his imaginary audience. I think he'll love being able to make videos of himself and it'll keep him occupied for ever.

However, DS has now decided that he wants binoculars for Christmas. He's been pretty consistent over the last few weeks about this. But I don't think he'll use them that much.

So, do I take back the camera he'll use and get the binoculars he wants? I can't decide.

I usually tell mine when they're writing their Santa lists that Santa will bring them a couple of things they want and then they'll get a few surprises. That usually allows me to make most of the decisions on what they receive as I did get sick of just wasting money on things I knew wouldn't be played with.

Has he seen any in particular that he wants? If not I would probably keep the camera and then see if I could pick up a very cheap pound shop type pair of binoculars to put in his stocking. If he does play with them then you could get him some proper ones for his next birthday or next Christmas, if he doesn't then at least it will only be a £1 or 2 wasted and he's still got his camera to play with.

I agree with Asj0405 get a cheap pair he wont notice that they are cheap,keep the camera.x

Thanks. I'll start looking for some really cheap ones.

My local smyths has them but they’re not showing on the site- I’m sure they were around £3. We got a free pair from national trust when we signed up for family membership paying by direct debit. They’re actually pretty good.

I'm not in the UK. We don't have so many stores to choose from. Going to have a look at the weekend. The cheapest I can find online is approx £25 which is too much for a stocking filler.

DS was desperate for binoculars for his 6th birthday. I was surprised but got him a fairly cheap pair. He's 43 now and still got them plus a more expensive pair. He'll love the camera and the binoculars

I'll probably end up getting both. Every Christmas we say it's too much and that next year we'll scale it back and have a simpler Christmas. Maybe we'll crack it next year.

Yep, I agree. Give him the camera and some cheap binoculars. It's nice that you've put thought into what you think he'll use. If he does love the binoculars and use them a lot, you could always upgrade him to a more expensive pair on his next birthday/Christmas.

get the binoculars on ebay (the national trust gives away a free pair with subscriptions so I imagine there are hundreds of them knocking about)