Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christmas

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

Original poster

Who is taking the risk and buying big presents early?

46 replies

StickersStickers · 07/09/2021 17:18

I cracked today and bought the LOL surprise dollhouse for DD. She’s 4 so the chance of her changing her mind is medium high but she’s been asking for it for about 6 months and would be gutted if she doesn’t get it.

She’s 5 on 28th December so need to sort a birthday present as well.

I also bought DHs present, as it was reduced, which slightly backfired as it was just announced there is a different version of what he wanted which he wants more. So I had to tell him I got the first version and he could buy the second version for himself!

OP posts:
ChristmasCovid · 07/09/2021 17:51

Me!

My 9 year old needs a new bike, so I’m ordering and picking up next week to make sure I get the right one.

Redlorryyellowlorryblue · 07/09/2021 17:59

We’ve ordered and just received a micro scooter mini for DS. There was a delay in delivery so I’m glad that big gift is now sorted. Going to build it this weekend just to check it works.

Sn0tnose · 07/09/2021 18:15

I have, but for DH. Boots and a Star Wars thing are fine because I know he wanted them and they aren’t electronic so no chance of them being faulty but the third thing is electronic. I grabbed it at £349 last week because everywhere I’d seen it had sold out, and it was already £100 more expensive than I’d seen it at its cheapest, but I’m a bit anxious in case it’s faulty and it will be out of its return period. I can’t even try it out because it needs to be linked up to something else he has and I have absolutely no idea how to do it! And it’s completely off list too, so I’m not even sure he’ll like it. I’m not going to lie, I’m a smidge nervous about it.

For nephews, nieces and friends kids, we’re doing cash as a main present with a little something to open, so avoiding them deciding they hate something at 5pm Christmas Eve.

reallyworriedjobhunter · 07/09/2021 18:19

Me but only for DS who has ASD and is unlikely to change his mind. Got Amazon warehouse deals on two Super Mario Lego sets.

GameSetMatch · 07/09/2021 19:03

I bought the Bluey camper an for my sons Birthday (on Sunday) I ordered 3 months ago but there’s been a delay so he’s now getting it for Xmas, I had to order it from Australia I just hope it comes in time for Christmas.

Original poster
StickersStickers · 07/09/2021 19:09

gamesetmatch DD has asked PIL for the Bluey house but that’s just available in Smyths luckily!

OP posts:
Claudethecat · 07/09/2021 19:10

@Sn0tnose I think you would still be protected to an extent if your DH's present was faulty. The retailer would still have to repair or replace it. Good luck!
www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/what-do-i-do-if-i-have-a-faulty-product-aTTEK2g0YuEy

Sn0tnose · 07/09/2021 19:26

@Claudethecat Thank you! Fingers crossed it’ll be fine.

Sunfl0wer20 · 07/09/2021 19:44

We were going to hold out and hope for a deal on a Nintendo switch but I didn’t want to risk it for the sake of £20-30 at most so have ordered one already

Lockdownbear · 07/09/2021 20:24

@Sunfl0wer20

We were going to hold out and hope for a deal on a Nintendo switch but I didn’t want to risk it for the sake of £20-30 at most so have ordered one already
There is a new version of the Switch due out in October.
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 07/09/2021 20:25

I haven't the foggiest of what mine might want or what to get them... (8&10years old... it was easier when they were little)

goose1964 · 07/09/2021 20:38

I've bought my dad's present from Amazon on sunday, I saw an RHS book in Waitrose for £20 and when I checked on Amazon it was reduced to £8.99, I also got him a book on Humboldt.

Mrsfussypants1 · 07/09/2021 21:04

We've bought our 5yr old granddaughters main gift already after reading about all the warnings in the press about stock issues. We bought her the vtech globe, which I don't think it will be a sell out I didn't want to chance it. Just need to choose a bean bag to go with it, which I'll do this week. Her parents have ordered her main gift and another is on pre order. She's never really come out with 'I really want this for christmas' yet, and it could change from now till then but I think there's another year or two till that happens. Its easier when they are little and you know they need a bike for example. Other than that I've entered a ballot to get Dh golf tickets for the Open next year. As for the rest of the adults we're doing a couple of smaller presents and a gift card/experience for each person this year so It'll be a lot easier than usual.

Shootingstar2018 · 07/09/2021 21:53

Me! And encouraged my mum to do the same so my 2 year old (3 in march) is getting a wobble board from us and a pirate ship sand pit from nanny. Both discounted (of course!) and currently hidden away!

Cluckycluck · 07/09/2021 22:08

I've order a couple of bits of playroom furniture from IKEA to ensure they arrived in time. I'm going to start ordering presents tomorrow but not decisions on the big presents yet. I'd rather have them and store them than have a stressful run up to Christmas chasing deliveries and sourcing alternatives.

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 07/09/2021 22:18

Dd1 is having dh's ps4 with a few new games (from cex probably).
Dd2 we are going to buy her a hairdressing head. Not sure these will be a sell out.... but might order soonish so we know we've got it!

Got some stocking fillers already, wanted to get a few more bits from shein which I'll order next payday. Trouble is ive got to order it all to my mums house as we are in the process of moving so could be anytime now!

WearingMyBestMardyPants · 08/09/2021 00:53

@GameSetMatch

I bought the Bluey camper an for my sons Birthday (on Sunday) I ordered 3 months ago but there’s been a delay so he’s now getting it for Xmas, I had to order it from Australia I just hope it comes in time for Christmas.
Smyths have got a load of Bluey stuff, I keep umming and aahing over ordering but it's mostly in stock.

Bluey at Smyths

NameChanged15729 · 08/09/2021 10:15

Me! Well sort of!

I’ve bought dh a playstation 5 which is joint for Christmas and his very early January birthday. I was worried about how short the supply still seems to be and it getting worse closer to Christmas.

Ds is 5 and very into Hot Wheels so I bought him the big dinosaur garage as it was a good offer. Now he’s leaning more towards monster trucks Hmm. I want to get him the big monster truck but I’m also weary of buying that and his interests shifting.

Dd is 3 and I’ve bought her a big wooden princess castle. They were out of stock for half the year so as soon as I saw one I basically pounced on it! She’s autistic and non verbal so she can’t tell me what she wants. Its basically an educated guess!

Lovemusic33 · 08/09/2021 10:33

Luckily my dc are older so it’s not the end of the world if there are shortages of things, neither of them have asked for anything in particular, dd2 has ASD and still loves Lego so if I see a good set on offer that she doesn’t already have I will probably buy it. Gifts for other family members will be pretty basic this year (food or clothing) as we are cutting down of buying tat that ends up in landfill.

I think if you have young children that have asked for a certain toy then it’s a good idea to buy early. My kids have never made lists so they don’t always get what they have asked for and are never disappointed.

Gimmemoredonuts · 08/09/2021 11:12

Hi, my daughter's birthday is also 28th Dec! She'll be 6 though this year.

She's been telling me that she wants a big set of Lego friends or Barbie doll house but I'm not 100% sure yet ...
Last year she made a Christmas wish list at school, and I think she was influenced by other children (and Smith's catalogue), she started saying she really wants a trampoline at the beginning of December!

So we had to buy a trampoline at the last minute and the all other gifts I had prepared for Christmas were given on her birthday.

turboface · 08/09/2021 12:46

I bought a big Lego friends set for dd. She was asking it for her birthday in May already. It's in her wishlist. I got the set from Amazon with a very good discount in July.

Ds wants a big Star Wars set but it's horrendously expensive and Idoubt I can get it cheaper because it's Lego exclusive.

redheadwitch · 08/09/2021 12:56

I bought my son a PS5 in July. I did ask for opinions on FB, from my gamer type friends, on whether it was a good idea or not. General consensus was that because of low availability, the risk-reward ratio steered in favour of getting the console as soon as I could find one. As long as stored in reasonable spot, shouldn't be any issues. Even at time of opening at Xmas, will still be within the 12 month warranty period.

I was specifically told not to store in the attic/garage etc as particularly dodgy for dampness which could cause faults. Which was handy, as the attic is exactly where I hide xmas presents!

crystalspiders · 08/09/2021 12:57

Me!! Ive almost completely finished

MrsLCSofLichfield · 08/09/2021 13:18

Me. DS is 13, though, and not liable to any big changes of mind. Things may be added to his list later, though Xmas Hmm

Original poster
StickersStickers · 08/09/2021 17:07

I'm stuck with my 8 year old. She wants a rubix cube and a specific squishy I can't find for sale in the EU/UK and they seem hard to find even in US!

OP posts: