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Christmas

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

Original poster

The dreaded twitch!

51 replies

Alakazam8 · 14/12/2021 12:41

I’m twitching really badly for dd. Not stocking fillers but main gifts. I’ve got roller boots, fun lockets toys and a fake oodie but twitching really badly over a keyboard (Yamaha) which I know she’d love and get more use out of than anything….please talk me down or confirm if you would twitch in my position!

OP posts:
herestoyoucolinrobinson · 14/12/2021 12:57

I keep trying to tell myself just because I know someone would love it doesn't mean I have to buy it. It's about 50% successful so far.

Also, the ones where I failed and ordered I'm now panicking they won't arrive. Can't win!

Original poster
Alakazam8 · 14/12/2021 13:00

I know- I’m really trying to do that too. I’m just worried that her main things are things she wanted but may/may not like or get a lot of use from them….

OP posts:
herestoyoucolinrobinson · 14/12/2021 13:07

😬

WhoAmI22 · 14/12/2021 13:12

In this position I always ask myself:

Can we afford it?

If the answer is yes, then I ask:

Do we have the room?

If the answer is yes, then I ask:

Will DC love it?

If the answer is yes, I buy it Grin I don't believe when I'm laid on my death bed I'll be thinking that I wish I'd bought my children less at Christmas.

Original poster
Alakazam8 · 14/12/2021 13:23

Thanks @WhoAmI22 I haven’t got room for it and we are moving in Feb so will wait until after then- think that’s just about stopped me looking at eBay!!!

OP posts:
ilovetea14 · 14/12/2021 13:25

I twitched a few weeks ago,I bought my son a slush puppie machine, I know he will love it and won't be expecting it.

DinosaurOfFire · 14/12/2021 13:29

@WhoAmI22

In this position I always ask myself:

Can we afford it?

If the answer is yes, then I ask:

Do we have the room?

If the answer is yes, then I ask:

Will DC love it?

If the answer is yes, I buy it Grin I don't believe when I'm laid on my death bed I'll be thinking that I wish I'd bought my children less at Christmas.

This is such a good way to look at it! Thanks!
Pascha · 14/12/2021 13:31

I'm wondering about a football shirt for Ds2 and Ds1 is asking for Forza Horizon 5 on xbox all of a sudden. I've just laid out their presents and they have ENOUGH.

So I'm holding firm. Ds1 can spend his Xmas money on the game if he wants and ds2s birthday is only 2 weeks away so the football kit can wait til then.

It's a struggle though...

MeltedButter · 14/12/2021 13:33

I got the twitch and now I'm ending up taking 2 things back and giving one to someone else. Know your limits. Try to shift your focus to how good the presents are that you've already got.

JoyOrbison · 14/12/2021 13:41

've just twitched and bought dc a jellycat item each... Neither need it, they are terns but they love getting a jellycat at Christmas.

Beautiful3 · 14/12/2021 14:33

If you can afford it, then yes, why not?!

Borracha · 14/12/2021 14:34

I just remind myself how spoilt my kids are, how much they already have, and how very little holds their interest for long so I should just save my money!

That makes them sound awful, but what I mean is realistically we have a house full of books and Lego and jigsaws and Hot Wheels cars. They really really really don’t need anymore because it won’t add anything to their lives - it will just blur into the chaos that is the playroom so there’s no point in wasting my money. Mine are only little but I noticed in previous years how overwhelmed they get at Christmas by all the ‘stuff’ and that they run out of steam halfway through opening it all.
So this year I’ve really tried to scale it back.

LeftieLucy · 14/12/2021 14:51

I’m pre - twitch. All 4 children have an odd number of presents so I’m thinking I’ll either have to take one away or add another 🙈

Smileatthesmallthings · 14/12/2021 15:06

OP, a keyboard would make an awesome housewarming gift for your DD. Wait till then.

CookSproutsInSoySauce · 14/12/2021 15:28

If you can afford it,go for it!
I got the twitch and bought a compact keyboard that'll live under the sofa when not in use as we are tight on space. But I know children will love it. I used to play piano so I'm looking forward to having a whirl on it too.
It's a present for all of us really!

Blossom64265 · 14/12/2021 15:30

I have always stayed in the realm of what I can afford, but I have never regretted that last minute decision to add that one special thing for my child at Christmas.

Sorry, I know I am not helping. I just love the magic of Christmas morning, even as they get older.

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 14/12/2021 15:32

My twitch is for my mother. She has dementia and is in a home. Just about everything I have brought in for her she has sent home "until she is let out". I have bought her a proper present but I'm afraid she will send it home to keep safe so last night I succumbed to the twitch and bought her some really practical stuff like a nightdress and perfume.

Hummingbirdcake · 14/12/2021 15:36

A keyboard is a very worthwhile present IMO- and you could all use it.

user33323 · 14/12/2021 19:05

I would get it now, if you have room for it so soon. It means she can use it this holidays, and there will likely be self isolation periods before Feb.

Lottle · 14/12/2021 19:37

I'd never heard of this 'twitch' idea but I TOTALLY relate! I find looking at it all together (unwrapped and wrapped) to help me make a decision. I don't have a child the same age so don't really know what some of this stuff is but I'm sure she's very lucky. Remember other people will get her things too (?).

Lovemusic33 · 14/12/2021 19:58

I twitch every year but this year I’m trying hard not too. DC’s are older and their piles look tiny, neither have space for much and they have most things already (tech). I am worried that Christmas Day will be underwhelming so I’m fighting the twitch every day.

Both my DC’s have birthdays not long after Christmas so I keep telling myself that “if I buy too much for Christmas I won’t have anything to buy for birthdays”.

LastStarFighter · 14/12/2021 20:22

The things I buy when I twitch are usually the best presents. It’s like it takes me a while to get warmed up! Grin

Last year I made sure I sent back the rejected first-bought presents. Will probably do the same this year.

Guttedbuyer · 15/12/2021 00:05

I’m not twitching for anything in particular but looking at pictures from last year they had so much more than what I have bought this year.

I’m not finished finished but I’m already thinking I should get a few more things over and above what I am already still planning to buy!

@Borracha makes such a valid point though and this really is how it goes in my house too. They get the WOW from seeing a huge pile of gifts, they love opening said gifts but come Boxing Day it’s just more stuff lying around the house. Stuff we don’t have room for!!

Original poster
Alakazam8 · 15/12/2021 00:45

Now I’m twitching again. Thought you’d got me over it…It would have an impact on her life. I can see her doing music at college and has begun to learn to play at school. She has other instruments so not her only option but im wondering if the other things she wanted will just be piled up untouched when she goes back to school.

OP posts:
Lovemusic33 · 15/12/2021 07:59

My daughter had a keyboard for Christmas one year, she has ASD and was non verbal at the time, she used to play it by ear (at the age of 4), it got used so much. Now she’s 15 she makes her own music on her iPad, we don’t really have the space for a keyboard and she prefers the tech alternatives. The keyboard was 100% worth it though and got used so much…..do invest in headphones though 🤣.