No toys on DS6 list

[QuackWoof]

Hello, my budget for Xmas is £400 for my DS6. He wanted a Nintendo switch which eats up most of that. I’ve bought it tho as it’s what he wanted. His other gifts are pants, Pjs and a new toothbrush (he needs these), and then bath bombs, chocolates, a hair gel, a book, a puzzle, 1 small selection box, colouring in book, new felt tip pens and a football strip (top only, and got it on sale).

We don’t do gifts in our families so he doesn’t get other gifts other than what we give him.

I’ve just realised he basically isn’t getting any toys for Xmas, and I’m worried this is a bit sad at only age 6? But he doesn’t need new toys, as he has plenty, and he doesn’t need a bike or a scooter as he has these.

Ok, so what would you buy a 6 yo boy with the budget of £400?

Please include stocking in the budget.

You would all be horrified by my Nan. She’s a ‘practical’ gift buyer and usually gives me packets of health foods like apple rings and cashew nuts, as well as heavy duty hand cream and a packet of 100% cotton full briefs (I’m in my early 30s). Not exciting to open but she’s saved my bacon a few times when I’ve run out of marmite/want some comfy pants to wear under pyjamas/sick of snacking on rubbish. I think it’s quite underrated actually!

Well, I wouldn’t; I think it’s too much money, and wouldn’t spend that much even if I had it. My budget for DD this year is £30 (we’re skint though) but in normal years is about £50-£70.

@CarPoor "Something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read is the most dull and depressing take on Xmas ever."

Oh, so if I got you (for example) an apple watch, a new iPad, an Oodie in the.design you'd been coveting and a subscription to Kindle Unlimited... You'd not like that? You'd think them dull/depressing..
Or get angry or whatever?

It doesn't have to be "something you want, an ironing board, a pair of pants and last week's newspaper...."

It's just a general guideline.

Ok,.so what would you buy a 6yo on £30-70?

I haven't read the full thread but when my ds was that age we got the the amiibo to go with the switch. They unlocked certain items in games.

Not hair gel and pants

Sometimes I think I live on a completely different planet to most MNetters.

It seems completely bonkers to me that people are advising the OP just to buy more "stuff" for the sake of it (plastic Nerf guns, games from the Works etc) just to bulk out what a six year old is getting for Christmas - he's already getting a Switch and from the sounds of it will be absolutely thrilled with that, as it's what he wants.

Wtf is the point of buying extra piles of stuff that he won't even really look at, because he'll excitedly be straight onto the Switch and playing minecraft/ switch sports/mario kart/whatever.

For the avoidance of doubt, I'm not being judgey at all about the amount of money spent, or the fact the kid is getting a Switch so young, but what does grind my gears is the idea that you should buy more just to have more to open. Would it not make more sense for them to understand that the Switch is very valuable and a big present on its own, especially with games?

But then I tend to think big piles of presents are more about the parents then the kids anyway. In my experience, kids get overwhelmed if there's too much, and tend just to focus on the one or two things they really wanted.

Ok....so what would you buy them?

My 6 year old is having a new scooter and a medium size Lego set. Will come to about £70
Stocking is books, toothbrush, bath bombs, jigsaw, small Lego set, couple of small toys, sweets, chocolate coins and satsuma. About £20-25.
I could spend £400 and he did ask for a switch but I don’t want him to have one yet and I wouldn’t spend anywhere near that much.
(for those asking what would you buy for a 6 year old with a smaller budget)

Most parents go through this stage of “is what I have got enough/too much/okay?”
It’s fine. It’s what he wants. He has things to open. Don’t overthink it. You are a mum so you will but this is a common niggle especially as they begin the progress of moving away from toys.
Next year he might ask for toys. It’s fine you’ve done fine. Make yourself a cup of tea and stop beating yourself up or double thinking yourself as mums (me included) do over everything. Sending hugs 🤗

Sorry, I do think it's a bit rubbish to put ten pairs of boxers in the bottom of his stocking, even if it's a massive stocking... I've never put things like toothbrushes and underwear in my child's stocking, I do view those as items I should be providing as a parent anyway.

I can see the point in putting in special ones, like if dc has mostly plain undies but you find a pack of three with their favourite characters on, that feels OK to me. Just not ten pairs of ordinary undercrackers! Likewise an electric toothbrush with a character design on is better than a Reach toothbrush like they usually have.

It's difficult to make alternative suggestions as what your child will like is probably different to what my child would like. Maybe a stationery set with a favourite character, or a calculator, a little model kit to build, or a mini jigsaw.

Otherwise his presents sound fine, it's difficult when they want a big budget item that doesn't leave a lot left over.

But according to PPs,
You shouldn't give your lad....

The scooter, surely that's a need?
Books? Surely that's just every day things, can't possibly be given as a gift....
Toothbrush...nope.
Satsuma? A present? No

People seem to love policing other people's lists on MN!

Wow £400 is a huge amount to spend on a child's Christmas present!

The only advice I am giving out to parents who put a satsuma or similar in a stocking is don’t forget to check that it has been taken out. You don’t want to find a squashed mouldy satsuma in the stocking next year. 🤣

Doesn't matter.

She can spend £4000 if she wants.

Only is a problem if she's getting into debt for it.

Long time since I had a 6yo but for a stocking I’d do choc Santa , choc coins , a slinky , pack of top trumps , some sort of metal puzzle , small pack of Lego and a yo-yo . Which is ample until the main presents .

Depends that their interests are!

Don't buy a bunch of tat like hot wheels just for the sake of having more under the tree.

In my family, things like pants and PJs are perfectly good gifts.

Ok, so what would you buy for the makin present/s?

You've spent c. £15

Chocolate £1.50-2
Top trumps £5+
Small Lego £5+
Yo-yo £2
Slinky £1+
Metal Puzzle £2+

What's the main present?

Pick something.... Go on. Pretend it's for your son. Or your doing a gift hamper for a 6yo.

Bloody hell he's get loads for Christmas! Not sure a toothbrush is ideal but the Switch alone is much more than my mates can afford to spend on their kids this year. And it's what he asked for.

Mine too- pants, socks, toothbrush etc -normal stocking presents. Perhaps get some more interesting than normal if possible - toothbrush that lights up, socks with cool designs etc.

@mam0918

Yes but OP stated that he doesn't need any toys. I honestly can't see the point in buying a child a Jurassic egg or some other Poundland toy just for the sake of it.