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

[softblueface]

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

@HeyFloof

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.)

I'm so sorry.

You spoil your boy and don't feel like you ever need to explain why to anyone!

So sorry @HeyFloof hoping you have a happy outcome

There is a whole Christmas forum for this sort of thing. YABU for not posting there.

I’m so sorry @HoseMeDownWithHolyWater
FWIW this thread is only for my own interest, I do not judge others for how they spend their money, you spoil your precious boy all you want.
Myself and DH didn’t have great childhoods (but for different reasons) and we do tend to overcompensate in lots of ways.
I’m really hoping for a positive outcome for you, I’ll be thinking of you

Gosh what is the world coming to why do you need validation OP. Your list sounds lovely but you are the parent

Everyone buys their kids what they can afford and maybe you have family who buys gifts too so it all adds up. My DS birthday is a couple of weeks after Xmas so it's all relative a d we don't know your circumstances so it's not fair for us to decide not that it matters anyway

He’s only really got 2 gifts and then loads of bits that I would call stocking fillers really.

If it’s what you can afford and what he wants then it’s fine.

I'd do at least three times as many main presents because I try to fill a sack for mine and little stuff like pens just doesn't bulk it out enough. I'll use stuff that's needed though, like clothes and toiletries. If you don't use sacks, it's fine if it's what you can afford, although it feels a little lacking if you have the budget to increase it.

Stocking seems fine.
To me main presents seem light, mine always had a sack full (as did I growing up) so would have about 15 presents in their sack. That said we have too much stuff in our house and I’ve set a precedent that is hard to maintain and expectations are now high. Go with what you want to give.

Fantastic stocking. I love a good stocking.

I get the sense from your posts that the present buying for him is not overly cost sensitive. If that’s right I would say that I would buy one more bigger present. When my DS was 5 he had a Lego train set that created a huge wow and that he still loves even now he is 10.

It is not necessary for you to get anything extra. But since you are asking for a critique that is what I suggest.

@Piggyk2 I don’t need validation, this was just out of interest. I’m actually happy with what I’ve bought but it does feel lighter than previous years. I think I’ve felt the need to pad it out in previous years which was probably unecessary. I think I haven’t worded my OP very well as a few comments re why do I care what others think, I don’t really apart from to see how other families differ!

Interesting re the sack comments! I was going to buy one last year and then stopped myself because I knew I would then want to fill it 😂 same as the stocking, dsis made it for DS his first Christmas and it’s small, it will probably only last him another year or so before the ‘bits’ start getting bigger.

Thanks @LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood I love a stocking too it was always my favourite growing up!

I think I will add a couple more bits. I did say above maybe a goo jit zu figure, or DS did mention a while ago that when we went on a fairy walk he wished for a robot but it never came, I’ve seen some quite good robot toys around so I’ll have a look.

Not cost sensitive really, we do secret Santa in our family and DH and I don’t buy gifts for each anymore (which i know is probably controversial in itself!

@softblueface they sound fabulous, and I'm goingbto keep your list in mind. I have ds 4 abd 6 and am struggling financially. Of course I want to make Christmas magical, and I kniw thats nit all about the presents, but still. Its hard. One DS wants a present to £40 and is just overpriced tat. I kniw hell be disappointed if he doesn't get it and had resigned myself to buying it but now other DS has decided he wants the same and I can't bring myself to buy 2 of them. Second ds isn't really bothered has just latched onto the idea.

@ImFree2doasiwant I’m glad I’ve given you a few ideas!
I’ve found that about everything in general recently, everything is overpriced and rubbish. If they will be happy that’s the main thing, but I agree it’s hard.

@TheReluctantPhoenix

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.

I agree, just few too many little things. Otherwise it looks great.

DS at that age would get a lego set as his main present, a book or two, chocolate, and a pair of new pyjamas. He also had a lego set from grandparents and a present each from a few aunties and uncles.

You obviously care OP hence your post. Why do you want to compare for what reason? We don't know your background and you don't know others.

@CiaoForDiNiaoSaur would you mind sharing what you've got?

@softblueface It's pressure I'm putting on myself. We don't have a switch, or any console, so no games. We have a lot of lego but nit seem the Mario one, I'll have a look.

It sounds great. There’s no right or wrong, it completely depends on the child. It’s similar to what I got my DS at that age, though I maybe would have included a teddy, board game or jigsaw, depending on the budget.

A slinky and a pack of pens are not main presents

@WhoLivesInAHouseL1keThis

A slinky and a pack of pens are not main presents

Says who? When my DD was 7, all she wanted was a pencil case and some fancy pens. They were definitely the main present in her eyes. In fact, as a teenage budding artist in the middle of an art GCSE, pens and similar are not only eye wateringly expensive but still top of her list.

[quote ImFree2doasiwant]@CiaoForDiNiaoSaur would you mind sharing what you've got?

@softblueface It's pressure I'm putting on myself. We don't have a switch, or any console, so no games. We have a lot of lego but nit seem the Mario one, I'll have a look.[/quote]
DS1 (17) is getting a pair of Vans, they are twice my usual shoe budget so he's getting half the cost as his Chrismas present. And a back to the future lamp for his desk.

DS2 (15) is getting a Lego... something from star wars. Its above budget so My mum is chipping in. He knows that and had originally asked for money to buy lego but it was £50 cheaper for black Friday so made sense to buy it now.

Then they'll have stockings. Which usually have boxers, socks, chocolate coins (although Aldi have chocolate unicorns so might get those) a book and a couple of small fidget toy type things.

We also have a very big family so they also get things from them.

Thank you. Its really reassuring to see lists like these. I kniw a lit of people who really splash out on loads.

I dobt care what others think but I do want Christmas morning to be enjoyable, not disappointing.

@WhoLivesInAHouseL1keThis

A slinky and a pack of pens are not main presents

Says who.

The OP has clearly asked for opinions. Personal opinions. I've given mine. A packet of felt tips is not a main gift in my opinion.

@ImFree2doasiwant

Thank you. Its really reassuring to see lists like these. I kniw a lit of people who really splash out on loads.

I dobt care what others think but I do want Christmas morning to be enjoyable, not disappointing.

We've always had a small (compared) to friends pile of presents. They've got smaller as the dc got bigger, but the things are more expensive.

We have the best Christmases. I know it's a cliché but for us it's genuinely about spending the day together.

@WhoLivesInAHouseL1keThis Even though they’re colour changeable?! 😂