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Christmas

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

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Original poster

Christmas presents for my 7 year olds

32 replies

neversleepagain · 29/10/2019 21:39

My twin girls are 7 and in need of a bigger bike which they are very excited about getting for Christmas.

I want to go for a decent bike that will last them a long while so have decided on a Isla Bike or a Frog Bike which are both quite pricey. I have told them that if they receive a bike that will be their only gift under the tree (alongside a stocking). We have never been a family to buy a lot of gifts anyway and I don't buy rubbish for the sake of it. They wont receive anything else as family are aboard and we don't really do gifts (enormous family with a lot of children).

We will need £700 for the two bikes and this is more than we would usually spend. Should we do this or will it be sad on Christmas morning to have nothing under else the tree? I honestly cannot make a decision!

OP posts:

Constantbronchitislaryngitis · 29/10/2019 21:44

But you said they’ll get a stocking too
That’s perfect!

Wormwoodm · 29/10/2019 21:50

Sounds perfect, something they will genuinely use and love. Along with a few treats to open on the morning!

BikeRunSki · 29/10/2019 22:00

Will they have presents from other relatives? You can lease Frog Bikes for £15 ish a month from The Bike Club and swap them when you need a q

BikeRunSki · 29/10/2019 22:02

Posted too soon!

The Bike Club - lease Frog Bikes, change them when you need a different size.

There are also FB pages for preloved Islabikes and Frog bikes.

OhioOhioOhio · 29/10/2019 22:17

Why do they need such a pricey Nike?

Phillpot12 · 29/10/2019 22:46

I would be tempted to look out for second hand ones but our lot are used to hand me downs though. Then get some other things they can play with on the day?

ThomasRichard · 29/10/2019 22:49

BikeRunSki beat me to it. I use The Bike Club for my kids’ bikes and up-size every year when they grow. Lovely Frog bikes and it’s not £700 a pop.

WagtailRobin · 29/10/2019 23:25

Every family is different but personally speaking I wouldn't do just one present (and a stocking) regardless of how much the one present cost.

With that said though, you know your children and what they like/dislike, if you think they will be happy to just have a bike each come Christmas morning then do that.

1stTimeMama · 30/10/2019 00:07

I think it depends what they get in the stocking. Mine only get things to pass the time whilst I wake up, so a magazine, blind bag, pants, socks, bubbles etc. I'd not want to give them that and then just one other gift under the tree.

The Bike Club is a good idea too, especially for the brands you're looking at. It's a lot of money to pay on bikes that perhaps won't long size wise though. We've just bought our 10yr old a Specialized bike as they do small adult frames now, so it will last her years, but I probably wouldn't have spent the same amount of money on her at 7, as she's grown so much, so quickly, it wouldn't have been a very good investment.

Swatsup · 30/10/2019 00:13

Isla bikes may be pricey but the second hand price means you get most of it back when you sell it. Maybe get some fun bits to decorate the bikes. And be prepared to spend the afternoon outdoors even in the rain 😂

Wormwoodm · 30/10/2019 06:32

I’ve just had a look at the bike club as hadn’t heard of it and seemed a good idea but every bike is out of stock. Do you generally have to wait for them to become available?

Original poster

neversleepagain · 30/10/2019 07:38

Thanks for replies and the idea of the Bike Club. To rent a bike for the year is £330 (for two children), which is the cost of a new bike. With resale on a new bike it makes sense to buy new. My girls are also very tall and when I went to a local independent retailer they recommended and the girls tired a Frog 69 which one size below a adult frame so it will last a good few years. This makes me feel £700 is money well spent. They're only just seven but can ride a bike for 10-12 year olds.

Buying a cheap bike is not an option, they are heavy and cumbersome and my girls are very active and physically able so they need a decent bike.

I am thinking I may get them on a interest free payment plan over a year and add a couple smaller bits for under the tree. They have never been interested in toys, but puzzles and games would work.

OP posts:

Equimum · 30/10/2019 10:43

We are also giving our children Islabikes for Christmas, but have opted for second hand ones. With a lot of time invested, we have managed to get two, one that look like new and another with only a couple of paint chips, for just less than the price of one. Would you consider that?

Saying that, we are only buying them a stocking and books in addition, but they will get other presents from other people.

stackthecats · 30/10/2019 15:21

We've just got our DD a second-hand Frog, but I appreciate that's not easy for two as you'd want them of a similar state of repair, colours etc. and it's time consuming locating them and bidding on them etc. If you can comfortably afford it, it does make sense given how much the resell values are - they can easily sell on for 70% of what you pay, depending on the age and condition. I think what you're suggesting is fine, and you could always get a few inexpensive craft and play items (eg. at Tiger or supermarket) as something else to open/play with.

BikeRunSki · 30/10/2019 17:21

Might be worth putting a request out on this FB group. Wouldn’t hurt to put some feelers out. Twin parents selling 2 matching bikes come up from time to time.

Original poster

neversleepagain · 03/11/2019 22:39

bikerunski thanks for your advice. The girls are in-between sizes and we have decided to hire from the Bike Club until they fit the larger frame comfortably. And a bonus that we get a monthly discount because we have twins 😁
It also means that because we have had to for our £700 for new bikes we can add a few small gifts under the tree.

OP posts:

Original poster

neversleepagain · 03/11/2019 22:40

haven't had to fork

OP posts:

Original poster

neversleepagain · 03/11/2019 22:41

haven't had to fork out

OP posts:

Onceafrog · 03/11/2019 22:46

my girls are very active and physically able so they need a decent bike
Get a grip of yourself OP. Spend whatever you want on the bikes, but don't pretend that due to their specialness your seven year olds must have £350 bikes!
Do they think Santa brings the bikes, by the way?

ChittyChittyBoomBoom · 03/11/2019 23:08

Jesus Onceafrog, how rude!

I have 7yo twins. Dts has dd1 old Isla bike but we bought dtd a Vitus 20 from Wiggle. Side by side, they are extremely similar and as lightweight too. I believe it has similar dimension for the islabike too (kids bikes drive my dh mad!). www.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-20-kids-bike/

Chickoletta · 03/11/2019 23:12

We’re about to sign up for Bike Club for DS - glad to know that other people have had good experiences with it.

This seems like a good solution, OP - nice to have a few other bits under the tree if they won’t get presents from family etc.

Onceafrog · 03/11/2019 23:25

Chittychitty probably rude yes, but what a sense of entitlement from the OP.

Original poster

neversleepagain · 04/11/2019 05:25

onceafrog my children are super special and utterly perfect to me, a shame yours aren't to you. Take your nasty beak away.

OP posts:

CroissantsAtDawn · 04/11/2019 06:03

In case you dont do the bike club, i find decathlon bikes good and last well with lots of use. And cost a fraction of the ones you ve quoted

MrsPworkingmummy · 04/11/2019 06:19

OP, you know your own children better than anyone; if they'll appreciate a more expensive bike, then go for it! My own DD is 7 and I know she'd be really disappointed if Santa had only left 1 present under the tree...but I make a huge deal about Christmas and part of the fun for us is the chaotic unwrapping of presents under the tree on a Christmas morning. We've bought our DD a hover board, a science kit, a slime science kit, a lockable electronic diary, goosebumps books and a barbie camper van. She'll get chocolate and a lush bath bomb in her stocking too. Our DD still believes in Santa, whereas from your post, it sounds like your children know you buy the gifts. If my DD also knew it was us buying her presents, I think she'd be happy with 1 and a stocking. Your girls sound lovely and I'm sure they'll love them. X

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