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Christmas

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Original poster

Age 7&10 DD’s - is it a cop out buying beds as Xmas presents?

92 replies

flissity · 28/10/2019 08:25

Am trying to decide this...

They both need new beds and ideally I know they’d like something like a high sleeper/cabin bed.

Would it be an acceptable xmas present?? Along with other stuff as well of course. Plus they have 6 aunties/uncles who they get presents off and 3 sets grandparents. So won’t go short on stuff.

There’s just no other ‘big’ presents they really need.
Was thinking can get bed covers and lamp etc to make it all exciting f...

OP posts:
Candymay · 28/10/2019 09:13

I think it’s a lovely present. I have often given duvet sets as gifts too. Always with lots of other things too, but really we are really doing a bad job if our children can’t enjoy lovely new things as gifts. A special bed is great.

BigmouseLittlehouse · 28/10/2019 09:16

I did this for my DSs last year - they both wanted expensive high sleepers. Got them lots of stuff for their rooms, fancy duvet covers, plus some other small presents. We don’t have any extended family so not even lots of other presents!

They were very happy and still really love their beds. It depends a bit on the children I guess, but for lots of children their room is their ‘den’ so stuff for it that is different /special is exciting for them.

BigmouseLittlehouse · 28/10/2019 09:17

As an aside one of my DS’s favourite present that he asks for each year is boden underpants! Similarly a gift including patterned socks from my neighbour was much loved ( and I definitley provide them with pants and socks!)

BlouseAndSkirt · 28/10/2019 09:19

If they will be excited by it, it’s a great idea.

SnowyRacoon · 28/10/2019 09:23

Sorry but beds are needed and not given as Christmas presents unless the kids want particular ones?

CoffeeChocolateWine · 28/10/2019 09:23

I think if it’s a bog standard bed then that feels more like an essential item rather than doesn’t Christmas present. But a cabin bed or high sleeper with a desk would be a great present! We did that for my son’s birthday last year...he needed a new bed and had his heart set on a high sleeper so we splashed out on one that had a desk and a futon underneath. It was an awesome present and he was delighted. I think there’s a difference between getting a bed like that and just a standard bed.

EnglishRose1320 · 28/10/2019 09:24

It think it's a great idea, they are special beds that they have requested. Love the idea of new accessories to go with it as well. For ds2's 8th birthday we re did his room, we waited for him to fall asleep, carried him to our bed and then put up new pictures/curtains/bedding/rug/lamp etc, carried him back through and he woke up in his new room and thought it was fantastic.

I'm guessing it would be too much work to let them have a sleepover in a different room in your house and put the beds up whilst they sleep. Christmas has so much more going on than birthdays so I suspect you just wouldn't have the time.

marjoretta · 28/10/2019 09:28

I don't see a problem with it. In the past my children have had desks etc...

My children have always had essentials for Christmas.,, pants, socks, slippers, dressing gowns and the like. I had the same and never questioned it or thought twice. I always appreciated the items I got - even the essentials.

I guess though it depends on the bigger picture. If you only give your kids three or four Christmas presents and one of them is a bed, then yeah I can see that that would quite mean. However, my kids get a largish Christmas sack and a good third to a half of that is usually things they need. Not always the boring pants and socks, but items for their hobbies, say a new gym leotard or hand chalk etc.... the other half is made up of smaller food and frivolous items. Because my children have always had it this way, they never question it and love getting their new Christmas pants etc. Although these days with teenage daughters they request Victoria's secrets pants, so not so cheap any more!

Floralnomad · 28/10/2019 09:35

I wouldn’t buy a child a bed for Christmas , but there’s no problem if they don’t want / need anything big in adjusting the budget down so you spend less at Christmas and still buy the beds . Our dc are now adult but we never set a budget for presents and we also never price matched the two - they both got what they wanted ( within reason) so we had some cheap years and some expensive years , it worked well .

Cloudyyy · 28/10/2019 09:41

Personally I wouldn’t do this.

Why not just buy the beds and get them less for Christmas? Christmas presents for children should be fun and exciting!! So many Mumsnetters trotting our that little rhyme to justify giving kids rubbish presents. Why not just scale back massively and give them just a few small fun things and explain they’ve had new beds?

apostropheuse · 28/10/2019 09:49

No, I defnitely wouldn't give a bed to a child as a Christmas present, it's just a necessity that should be provided anyway.a

Wizotto · 28/10/2019 09:57

Sounds lovely to me with the nice bedding etc. Got DD a lovely desk and chair the other year for her birthday and she loved it. Depends on the child whether it is a treat or a boring necessity I think.

MsChatterbox · 28/10/2019 09:59

Would definitely do it. Yes a bed is essential. But a fun cabin bed is not essential! Let them pick it if you can.

theoriginalmadambee · 28/10/2019 10:00

Not a good idea, imo. Most boring present for a child, who fantasize of exiting presents. Imagine school after Christmas 'what did you get? Eerh a bed'.

This unless your dc are teenagers and really wish for a room make-over.

But I guess there is a massive back story?

theoriginalmadambee · 28/10/2019 10:02

Christ -are really whishing bla bla bla Confused

Winteriscomingfast · 28/10/2019 10:02

This unless your dc are teenagers and really wish for a room make-over.

I agree.

The youngest child is santa age. Not the same as an older child making an informed choice as they know where presents come from.

Charm23 · 28/10/2019 10:11

Think it's a personal choice and depends on the family budget. Personally I wouldn't buy essentials as Christmas presents. Didn't particularly like getting stuff like underwear and socks for Christmas as a child but my mum was single and didn't have a lot of spare money so she did what she could. Not sure if a fancy bed is considered an essential though so I'd probably be okay with it as long as it was definitely what the kids wanted and they knew it was instead of toys etc. Pretty sure I got a double bed for my 16th birthday actually and loved it but was old enough to fully understand.

BlouseAndSkirt · 28/10/2019 10:15

At 7 and 10 I definitely wasn’t excited by duvet covers.

I might have been excited by a lan if it was an interactive ceiling projection thing with the solar system or something. But not normal home decor, however attractive.

Blackbear19 · 28/10/2019 10:26

Op I see no reason why not. They are fancy beds not a bog standard single divan.
They will get other stuff too.

megletthesecond · 28/10/2019 10:29

I would.
A cabin or bunk bed with new duvet covers is a great gift. You should be able to build them on Xmas day too.

We do "want, need, wear, read" too.

I8toys · 28/10/2019 10:38

No as its an essential item.

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 28/10/2019 10:42

We're buying dc1 bunk beds for Christmas. It's not just the bed element, it's the steps, the fact that he can have sleepovers etc...it's top of his christmas list.

It would be the same as your DH gifting you an iron or vacuum cleaner for Christmas.

Mine bought me a chest freezer a few years back. Best present he's ever bought me.

ItMustBeBedtimeSurely · 28/10/2019 10:46

I think it's a good idea. My kids would love a cabin bed with desk etc. Maybe get them a bed canopy/ tent and well to make it extra fun.

Not mean at all.

Swatsup · 28/10/2019 10:49

My daughter 10 need a new mattress, I know she really wants a double bed to fit her teddies in so I am using it as a Christmas present :-).

SunshineAngel · 28/10/2019 10:54

It depends on their thoughts about the beds. I got a high sleeper with a desk and a futon underneath when I was 12, and I was so so excited about it. It wasn't a Christmas present, but I know for a fact I would have been perfectly happy if it had been. I'd have loved building it on Christmas Day and then putting new bed covers and PJs on and snuggling down with a new book and maybe a hot chocolate.

But then again, perhaps I was an odd child.

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