Page 2 | For those who buy in January…

User135792468 · 2021-12-21T08:08:14+00:00

How could you possibly know what people will want a whole year later? With adults it’s slightly easier, but surely their preferences change too? I really don’t understand it with children though as how could you know what they’ll be in to or like? I know it’s cheaper but the whole concept just confuses me. Please help me understand [confused]

00100001 · 21/12/2021 15:31

True.

bestdhever · 21/12/2021 15:32

In my opinion most gifts bought In January are pure shite and completely unnecessary, they are only bought because the buyer thinks they are getting a good deal...they are not.

camelfinger · 21/12/2021 15:38

I’m picturing a parent taking a child to a GP trying to get a referral for suspected brain injury because their tastes have changed in 12 months. They would think you’d lost the plot!

Timetoeat · 21/12/2021 15:51

I start in January,
I buy Presents for the present box which can be delved into when needed.
Christmas related items ie,wrapping paper, Christmas gift bags, cards etc.
Stocking fillers,
Gifts to be donated to charity in December.

JisForJellyfish · 21/12/2021 15:55

Books
Play doh
Lego / duplo
Yoyo
Sylvanian families
Etc

I have young children and find it very easy at the moment to buy year round. Maybe I'll find it harder as they get older.

00100001 · 21/12/2021 17:11

@bestdhever

In my opinion most gifts bought In January are pure shite and completely unnecessary, they are only bought because the buyer thinks they are getting a good deal...they are not.

Nonsense.

If I bought your football mad, puzzle loving child a Puzzle book in the team of their supporting. And I knew it to be something they would like... Why is that a shite present? Just because it was bought in January instead of November?

Twinkleylight · 21/12/2021 18:20

I buy wrapping paper in a generic print like a star design, ribbons, gift bags, lego, Christmas cards, sellotape, napkins, 0qper plates, disposable table cloth, fairy lights, batteries and any decorations that need replacing.

Alarmset · 21/12/2021 18:34

If I bought your football mad, puzzle loving child a Puzzle book in the team of their supporting. And I knew it to be something they would like... Why is that a shite present? Just because it was bought in January instead of November?

Football books are a really good/bad example. Most of the players will be playjng for someone else by next Christmas

Original poster

User135792468 · 21/12/2021 19:03

@mam0918

If your kids have such a short attention span that they change their entire tastes, hobbies, and personalities in under 12 years you may want to get them checked for a brain injury or medical issue because it's not normal.

My kids sometimes get into new things during the year but they never completely go off things they like... my 3-year-old has liked paw patrol for 2 years, he's not going to be upset at getting paw patrol even though he has expanded to like PJ Mask and Bluey too this year.

Kids go through phases but don't completely go off things in under a year... I don't watch cartoons anymore because I'm an adult but I still 'like' the ones I watched as a kid (Tom and Jerry, looney tunes etc...) and wouldn't be upset to get something branded like that even now nearly 25-30 years on.

Well aren’t you a delight!! Maybe ask Father Christmas for some charm and manners for Christmas. If you think your child will be into all of the exact same things a year later, maybe they’re as devoid of a personality as you. Or maybe you’re just that lazy that you’d rather buy them any old tat instead of giving it much thought or consideration. Just because your toddler likes paw patrol this year, it doesn’t mean they won’t discover something new throughout the year. You probably couldn’t give a crap though… Having read your message once more, I actually feel sorry for children being raised by someone whose first instinct is to be so foul.

OP posts:

RedwineforSantaplease · 21/12/2021 19:11

I usually stock up on Christmas cards, wrap and tags. Will probably look for a few kids gifts as we're starting to the age where we're getting birthday party invites and it makes sense to grab a few generic things for children while they're cheap. If I spot any nice toiletries sets I might pick those up for mother's Day gifts or for a friend with a birthday at the start of the year.

Original poster

User135792468 · 21/12/2021 19:14

Thanks for the ideas everyone. Wrapping paper, crackers, cards, tags are all great ideas so I’ll definitely be doing that this year. Other generic gifts and stocking fillers, I’ll keep an eye out for also. I do get bits for birthdays in the first few months of the year and Mother’s Day, just not Christmas itself.

OP posts:

TuftyMarmoset · 21/12/2021 19:24

It's different for me because I don't have my own children to buy for but I think you can buy generic gifts for other children that far in advance. Eg Lego/Duplo, books, dressing up stuff, cuddly toys, craft/activity sets. Nothing too related to a specific interest but things that generally go down well with kids of their age range.

For adults things that I've bought in advance are things like books, board games/jigsaws, toiletries/beauty stuff, socks. Adults don't tend to change their preferences that much to be honest so unless you are buying them some niche gear for a hobby that they then drop you're likely to be ok.

00100001 · 21/12/2021 21:42

@Alarmset

If I bought your football mad, puzzle loving child a Puzzle book in the team of their supporting. And I knew it to be something they would like... Why is that a shite present? Just because it was bought in January instead of November?

Football books are a really good/bad example. Most of the players will be playjng for someone else by next Christmas

Ha ha :p

CinnamonJellyBeans · 22/12/2021 00:18

I make a spreadsheet and start on boxing day. PJs, onesies, coats for nephews and nieces in the next size up. John Lewis homeware for my mum, perfume gift sets and jewellery for DDs, candles

Then I buy slowly through the year every time there is a sale or promotion.

bestdhever · 22/12/2021 08:50

@Alarmset I'm glad you said it...usually football books have years on them and the jerseys change also...glaringly obvious to a football mad kid

TeenMinusTests · 22/12/2021 09:42

My DD2's core interest hasn't changed in 14 years, it was animals when she was 3, and is still animals now she is 17.

00100001 · 22/12/2021 11:00

It was just a random example... I don't even know if specific football team puzzle books exist.

KeepScrapingBy · 22/12/2021 11:13

I used to do this but the last couple of years I've noticed that by January there's nothing left. The shops seem to clear away all their Christmas stuff in December. They start reducing seasonal stuff from about now onwards.

GrumpyLivesInMyHouseNow · 22/12/2021 11:21

I don't buy Main presents either, but I do buy lots of smellies for friends and relatives, books, games etc for kids

00100001 · 22/12/2021 12:26

@KeepScrapingBy

I used to do this but the last couple of years I've noticed that by January there's nothing left. The shops seem to clear away all their Christmas stuff in December. They start reducing seasonal stuff from about now onwards.

Yep, stuff is on sale already! Was in Sainsbury's today and they've started their sale already!

SockFluffInTheBath · 22/12/2021 15:09

I don’t get presents in the post-CD sales but sometimes pick up nice decorations, cards and wrapping paper.

Camomila · 22/12/2021 21:05

Their interests might stay the same but their development isn't always easy to guess, especially if they are under say 10.

To use my DS as an example (who has always liked trains) he's 5 now - I wouldn't have known last Christmas if a lego duplo train would be more suitable for him this year (age 3-5) or a normal lego train (age 6+).

DockOTheBay · 22/12/2021 23:51

I buy generic Christmas stuff in the sales, like wrapping paper and next years Xmas pudding.

My kids are 4 and 1 so I have a pretty good idea of what they will want in a yesr, especially the little one. Not main presents but little bits are always the same.

I also buy generic gifts for giving throughout the year e.g. birthday party for one of the kids school friends,neighbour has a baby that sort of thing. Stuff that keeps

DockOTheBay · 22/12/2021 23:54

Gifts to be donated to charity in December
Oh yes this too. I had a big stash collected throughout the year which was all donated at the beginning of December.

Cherryrainbow · 23/12/2021 00:01

Like others I get the festive stuff - wrapping items, clothing etc in January. I dont mind stocking up on no 7 from boots in the sale if I can as my mum and sister both use it.

I buy throughout the year, some months are better than others to buy certain things, like I find the summer toy sales handy for my kids autumn birthdays.

I think its getting that balance of what you know your kid likes, and also allowing yourself budget and time nearer xmas for any new trends/interests.

Next year my kids will be 2 and 9. The 2 year old I would have the luxury of getting her generic stuff although she clearly has certain preferences already that I'll keep in mind. The 9 year old has had pretty certain interests and hobbies for the past few years so I'd feel confident buying things relating to those but I'd do main presents after his birthday.