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

@RockingMyFiftiesNot I think he will love the putty too, it’s even got a severed finger in it which is right up his street!

It recently took us 40minutes to set up!

I would add in a selection box (this is, in my opinion, a requirement along with an orange /satsuma in the stocking!), a board game and perhaps a colouring book. Maybe a jigsaw too.

I agree with mousetrap 😬, it takes too long to set up and doesn’t seem to be built as robustly as it used to be. My favourite game when I was little was Operation, I’m trying to persuade my dc to want it for Christmas but they are too old really. Guess who is still a favourite here and connect 4.

Oh yes operation!!!

Don’t get mousetrap it’s a pain! My youngest is 5 and loves games, junior Cluedo and monopoly are his favourites.

When we had mousetrap as children we set it up not the adults so it didn't matter how long it took

Does he have Jenga yet?

@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.)

So sorry ❤

I think that sounds lovely OP. A really nice thoughtful stocking and main gifts. Plus remember you have to keep this stuff in your house afterwards so less is more! I just had to charity shop stuff from previous Xmas and baby stuff to make room for any additional stuff they are about to get. However we are a very overcrowded household! My own fault for having twins!

We have Jenga @kowari (well the poor mans alternative, tension tower!) but DS hasn’t played it yet. He doesn’t like really loud noises and I know he would cry when the tower fell down and we all do the involuntary cheer!

He likes connect 4, guess who, snakes and ladders, some of the orchard toys games, buckaroo

Sorry to read that Heyfloof. Sending you lots of virtual love 💜

This is the thing @Ukholidaysaregreat, I want to try and get him things I know he’ll like, like a colouring book or a jigsaw won’t get used (or at least regularly enough for me to warrant adding them to our collection). After his bday in August we were drowning in toys as he had a party and everyone bought something 😂

I really like hearing about how other people do things in their house eg sacks and 3 times as many gifts, or less than what I’ve bought. All of my family and friends vary greatly.

I am happy with what I’ve bought but I’ve definitely got some good ideas of a couple of things I’ll add!

My advice is to stay away from modern Operation! It's too easy and not a patch on the original IMO. Same for Buckaroo. Kerplunk is still good though.

It's a silly thing to compare, it's so arbitrary. Mine are both getting new dressing gowns but I could equally well have given them in September. We just buy bikes as and when needed, whereas for others they are main presents. Swings and roundabouts. Ultimately has the child Got Enough Stuff, and have they got Not Too Much Stuff? As long as you can say yes to both, whatever that looks like in your house, you're all good.

Op that sounds perfect!!
It's tricky to judge, I often find on here a poster will declare that as far too much and then reveal they have twenty relatives who also ply the child with gifts!
Some mn give their child the gift of a whittling tool and wood to donate to a child in a third world country.
Some will barge down aisles at toys r us and buy everything in sight.

@MissCreeAnt The new kerplunk is ok then? I've put off buying it for fear it would be rubbish it was my favourite as a child, along with downfall!

@ImFree2doasiwant ours is great, though it's a few years old now. I suppose there may be a New New one which they've ruined since . A very underrated game, it's about my level . I loved Downfall too but I couldn't convince the kids.

A game he may enjoy, if not for this Christmas if you are all set, but the next gift occasion perhaps.....
Hi Ho Cheery O. www.amazon.co.uk/Hasbro-Cherry-Players-Amazon-Exclusive/dp/B084K4J39K?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I have often recommended the Cooperative Games by Peaceable Kingdom here. We were playing some with DS2 last night. Also Karuba Junior.

Thank you for the recommendations, I’ll definitely look into them!

I got a few of DS’s stocking fillers from Rex London in case anyone wants to check it out, really lovely bits, including the colour changing felt tips

Board games, my DS got Don't Wake Dad and Bugs in the Kitchen last year and loves them both. Played very regularly.

This year he's getting Junior Cluedo, Junior Game of Life and Minecraft Uno (he's nearly 6 though) Top Trumps is good for practising numbers etc? You get every different kind ie Mario, animals, dinosaurs etc and it's small!

My DD(3.5) is getting The Floor Is Lava which she usually just plays with teatowels

Whether you’ve spent £50 or £500 these are examples before I get shot down lol… it’s got nothing to do with what other people think is enough or not enough.

As longs you can afford them and not leaving yourself short for household bills and food shopping then why not. Also if your son would like and use them and appreciate them things and what he gets which at an only child at the age of 5 that doesn’t have other siblings presents to compare with then your spot on and you mummy Santa have done your job mission completed well done.