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Christmas

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Original poster

Just started packing and realised I've fucked up and not got asked for gift.

31 replies

coffeerevelsrock · 22/12/2021 21:10

So ds1 only asked for two books for Christmas, both about the same historical figure he's obsessed with. Insisted it was all he wanted. One was £40 and both were very weighty tomes that would take him a while to get through. He loved history and has read similar books before but they take him months to get through. I remember thinking it was a big wodge of budget to spend on two similar items and that it would take him the best part of a year to read both. I also remember thinking that I should get what he asked for as he's not asked for a lot and they're within budget.

I have just got everything out to pack and only one of the books was there (not the £40 one). I really thought I had decided to buy both but having checked on Amazon I didn't Sad. It has a delivery date of early Jan.

I have got him plenty of other stuff I know he will like and will be giving him some cash as well. If he wants to he can order it on Christmas day and hopefully still get it within the school holidays. Also, his birthday is in March.

I feel shit though. He asked for so little and now hasn't got it. Who am I to decide he shouldn't get two fucking books if it's what he wanted? I don't even remember deciding that but it's been a long and stressful term and I've obviously overlooked this.

Pointless post as nothing to be done now but any words of wisdom to help put it in perspective would be great.

OP posts:
hilariousnamehere · 22/12/2021 21:12

Can you order it and print the confirmation and wrap that? My parents have done that before for me as a child and as an adult when what I wanted wasn't available for delivery before Christmas, or was a pre order or similar :)

GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 22/12/2021 21:13

Is it not possible to get it from a physical shop? You still have two days. If there's a bookshop near you you could ring and see if they have it.

mynameiscalypso · 22/12/2021 21:13

Can you give him an IOU? Every year my dad asks for books that are not yet published or really hard to get hold of and every year, I give him an IOU.

SockFluffInTheBath · 22/12/2021 21:14

Could you print a picture of the book and do a little card saying coming soon/en route from the north pike or some such nonsense? He has one to be going on with, and January is so dull it’s something to look forward to.

SockFluffInTheBath · 22/12/2021 21:14

North Pole Xmas Hmm

Akire · 22/12/2021 21:15

He’s not going read a massive book before the second one arrives so just say it’s been delayed but be here in week or so. No harm done

Floralnomad · 22/12/2021 21:15

Personally I’d order it tonight and tell him it was delayed .

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 22/12/2021 21:16

How old is your son?

If he’s old enough, you could say the delivery was after Christmas so it has been ordered but not here yet.

If he’s younger and will be happy with the presents he has opened, give it to him for his birthday.

Dorismargaret · 22/12/2021 21:17

Next day delivery?

Brusca · 22/12/2021 21:19

I would buy him a book token and then he can order it from a bookshop after Christmas.

Original poster
coffeerevelsrock · 22/12/2021 21:21

Thanks all Flowers.

Haha - never thought of an actual bookshop and was in one today... I'll ring them in the morning and if they have one pop and get it. If not, I'll do the IOU thing. I posted in a panic - I genuinely thought I had bought it Confused.

OP posts:
PappaPaddy · 22/12/2021 21:21

Just say you've another on order, but there's a short delay and it will be with you a few days after Christmas.
If he knows he's going to get it, surely he'll be fine.

SnarkyBag · 22/12/2021 21:22

Just order it there’s a small chance it might arrive and if not print a picture of it and say it’s on the way

Cattitudes · 22/12/2021 21:29

Waterstones do a click and collect service so you can see if it is in stock and reserve it.

Wheresmywoolyjumpers · 22/12/2021 21:30

Put the money in a fund for the therapy he will need later in life? Seriously, tell him he has another Christmas present on the way but it will be late so he can start on the other book first.

MillicentMargaretAmanda · 22/12/2021 22:43

Try Hive, Bookshop.org and Waterstones before giving up entirely. I've managed to get things on there that have been out of stock on Amazon.

PriamFarrl · 22/12/2021 22:56

My friend has a bookshop and he is able to get some stuff next day delivery to the shop. Call an independent bookshop if you have one near you and they might be able to get it in.

HideousKinky · 22/12/2021 22:56

@SnarkyBag

Just order it there’s a small chance it might arrive and if not print a picture of it and say it’s on the way
In my local bookshop they will order any book you want which they don't have there and it often arrives the next day
SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 22/12/2021 23:06

Similar thing happened with my parents and DB. They did an IOU/enroute thing as a message in a bottle.

gamerchick · 22/12/2021 23:08

I dont see the problem. He's not going to get through one book in the time the other one takes to arrive.

NovemberNovemberDarkNights · 22/12/2021 23:16

Yeah I'd ring around 'actual shops' & hopefully they'll have it/can order it for Friday.

Even if not, he's old enough to get an 'on its way' gift.

ittakes2 · 22/12/2021 23:41

order it anyway - it might arrive its likely amazon is just covering itself incase of lateness.

GatoradeMeBitch · 22/12/2021 23:48

Good thing is he can only read one book at a time. Tell him the company messed up and sent the wrong thing and you had to re-order. Don't tell him you forgot.

But do try to ring all local bookshops, good luck!

ThinWomansBrain · 23/12/2021 01:15

waterstones and blackwells online are both good - and occasionally cheaper than amazon. if they have it in stock you can collect.

ThinWomansBrain · 23/12/2021 01:16

& if he has one that he can get stuck into, just say the other is on the way - you hadn;t realised the delivery wait.