AIBU to ask you to critique my DS’s Christmas presents

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I’ve seen a few threads on here discussing Christmas presents and if the OP has spent too much, too little, if X gift is too extravagant etc. Posters always have such different opinions on what is acceptable or different ways of doing it in their house. I thought I would say what DS 5 has got and what people think of it. He is an only child and I haven’t set a budget or totted up the amount, I just go with whatever I feel is right. He has expressed a real desire for the mario and he loves playing mine craft at friends houses and building his own houses etc.

In his small stocking he has got;
Wario Lego minifigure
Waluigi Lego mini figure
Mr happy bath bomb
Fidget spinner
2 candy canes
Spy pens
Whoopee cushion
Squishy dinosaur
Silly putty
Chocolate coins
Mr men book
Top secret stamp

Main gifts;
Metal slinky
Colour changing felt tips
Mine craft game for the switch
Pocky ball
Mario Lego starter set

I will accept all opinions

They’re nice presents and they’re what your son wants. I don’t think there’s much point inviting ‘critique’ because you’ve already bought them, and you know your son wants them.

Do you not do a ‘big’ present OP? That’s all I am thinking.

My 5 year old is getting a whoppie cushion too, then sticker book, fancy crayons etc so similar bits to yours.

His main present is a teepee 😀

Personally I wouldn't let my 5 year old have a switch but that's your choice.

YABU You know your child best

Very similar to what i would have bought at that age. Im famous in my family for the very early yesrs of buying nothing.....child inundated with pressies from family and no idea who santa is. Why stress and spend money for the sake of it. I usually stay away from these threads but this year ive probably spent over 1k on the same child, he's a teenager now who rarely asks for anything at any time of the year. He asked for a contributon towards a techy thing they want. Ive bought it as a surprise and know they will be made up.

@CheshireDing We tend to do a big present for birthdays instead of Christmas, for his bday he got a climbing frame for the garden and a new bike (which was a last minute addition because I suddenly realised he looked absolutely huge on his old one!) teepee sounds amazing!

Do they have other lego? I think my only comment is that if they have no other lego it may be worth getting a general box of lego too as those kits are quite limited in versatility

Quality over quantity.
Otherwise he is just gonna open them and chuck them away to see "what else" and "what more" etc vs "wow this is cool".

Lesser gifts brings more appreciation vs just consumerism and the always wanting more mindset .

But I hate consumerism so i am biased for sure. Merry Christmas i hope your kid os gonna love all his pressies

@DockOTheBay I would agree re the switch. MIL bought it for her house despite my severe protestations during lockdown when he was only 3.5 (tHeres a backstory here that’s not appropriate to get into on this thread 😂) and it’s made it’s way to our house. I have changed my mind a bit though as he doesn’t want to use it too often and some of the games are quite creative, but yes I agree 5 is generally young for this kind of thing.

To all saying it doesn’t sound like much, that’s interesting and actually in previous years I have bought a lot more! I’ve tried to be good this year and only buy things I know he’ll like. I also thought that once he sees the game he won’t want to do anything else so there’s so point having loads to open 😂

Yes @Bingbong21 he has loads of other Lego including other mario. I stayed away from the starter kit initially because the mario is interactive and I thought it wasn’t necessary. However that’s the only thing he has mentioned and he loves it at friends houses so I’ve caved

Personally, I think it is way too much, but I seem to be out of line with the majority.

It is just sensory overload. With that many presents, they cannot properly focus on any of them.

I would at least hold some back until he gets bored a few days later.

They seem like very thoughtful presents but I'd want to add a few more bits to it personally.

They sound like great presents. The Mario Lego is fun even for grown ups - so you can all fun having a go Christmas Day. I like the mini figures hint in the stocking.

Two comments in a row - too much, not enough. I think it goes to show everyone is different. It sounds about right to me, and my 5 year old daughter will have about the same number to open on Christmas day, and then some more over the next few days as we see different family members.

Mario lego is awesome, DS7 loves his (as does his toddler brother when he can get his sticky little hands on it!). Does he have relatives who can buy him some of the expansions? I'd maybe get him one of the additional 'outfits' eg fire Mario?

By the way it doesn't come with paper instructions- you have to use an app.

@TheReluctantPhoenix competitive I only buy 2 or 3 tiny things is as bad as the mumsnet chicken

I think it's a perfect amount of gifts for a 5yo. Not too much and sensible presents. He'll love his Christmas morning!

@Bingbong21,

🤨

I was asked for an opinion and gave it.

My children are a bit older (still just pre teen) and the amount of plastic tat thrown away over the years is eye watering.

In addition, some games were played with once and abandoned. In an age of environmental consciousness, tat is feeling increasingly wrong.

Children also get presents from other relatives and it just becomes overwhelming.

Just gave my 11 year old one nice present and some money for his birthday. He uses the nice present every day and can choose what he wants to do with the money.

Christmas will be a stocking and a couple of (nice) main presents.

I feel I have learned from my experiences and happy to share that. You are welcome to disagree, but not to judge my motives for posting.

No selection box

Thanks all re the Mario comments, my sister has got him the Luigi set which he will get a few day’s after Xmas. When he mentioned wanting the mario set he said ‘maybe I could ask for the Luigi one for my birthday’ so he will be surprised with that!

@TheReluctantPhoenix thank you for your comment. I personally don’t think it’s too much but had a feeling others would. A few posters have said they would add a few more bits eg craft kits, in previous years I may have done this but I just know DS wouldn’t be as interested (although they would get used later on).

DS does get stuff during the year too, we don’t just wait for Christmas or bdays. Although normally not ‘big stuff’.

@Christmas1988 no selection box! He has choc coins in his stocking, does that not count?! 😂
He will get the odd selection box from other family members I imagine although I can’t be certain. Is that a necessity in your house?! Maybe I should rethink

@Hydrate

Sounds good and he'll be a happy little boy! Have you heard this present guideline for kids, one of each. "want-need-wear-read.".

We’re doing this for the whole family this year. I’m sure I’ll end up getting a few bits in addition but it’s a very good guide imo.

I think it also depends who else buys for your DC. That sounds about right to me. My kids get 3 gifts from Santa each (1 big, 2 small) one from us. We don't do stocking fillers really. But the then get so many from family so on Christmas day there are lots to open and they have a great day.

They sound a perfect amount for his age. There are many more years when he will want it need expensive things so pacing yourself is a good idea! I would agree with pp that he may not get good use out of spy stuff yet, maybe add a book instead?

That sounds a lovely selection. My dS is the same age and is looking very much forward to Christmas. He has (my DS) got quite a lot, I've culled it back quite a bit this year, but I do tend to go a bit mad. (Back story reason for indulgence; he's not supposed to be an only, lost DS2 last year, and, devastatingly, we are likely to lose this baby girl in the next few weeks.)