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Christmas

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Original poster

Is this spoiling DS?

48 replies

Christmaswonder · 01/12/2022 16:26

DS’ birthday is just after Christmas, he’ll turn 7.

Earlier in the year I thought he might want a Nintendo Switch as he’s played on his friends’, but as we got closer and he wasn’t asking for one, I pointed out that if he did want one he would probably not get many other gifts given the cost. He opted for several presents instead of the Switch.

For Christmas so far he’s got some great gifts that he’s asked for, value comes to about £190. He gets gifts from grandparents too, not ridiculous amounts but I know MIL has got him another Lego set he was after. My DParents pay for us all to go to Center Parcs every year so they get a token gift to open.

He’s now asked for a Nintendo Switch for his birthday. We have already got him one gift for his birthday that he wanted which is £50.

Our first thought to the Switch was no way but actually, on reflection I think if his birthday was say, April, we would have said yes. He probably does have less spent on his birthday overall with it being so close to Christmas.

Do you think it’s too much to get him the Switch as well? The only other tech he has is a Kindle Fire kids’ tablet which he plays on the weekend sometimes. It’s tricky because I also have a 3 year old who wants practically nothing so the value of their gifts is a lot less.

OP posts:
RandomMusings7 · 01/12/2022 16:28

Too much.

Voiceofreason92 · 01/12/2022 16:37

No i dont think its too much. It's a bit extravagent, yes but if you can afford it, do it.

You could save the £50 present for next year or you could give it to someone else to give him if it wont last a year

The 3 year old wont care at all- and i'd make the most of the cheap presents while you can get away with it

Mrsfussypants1 · 01/12/2022 16:45

Could family members chip in for his birthday? Dgd 6 1/2) has recently started talking about them after playing on it at her cousins (same age), her mum and dad are holding off a bit with too much tech, she's got a fire tablet too and they've limited screen time and put locks on it, she'd be on it all day if she was allowed. I can see the benefits of the switch (not the lite version) because you can play it with the whole family so it can be a family gift.

Original poster
Christmaswonder · 01/12/2022 17:07

That was my thinking @Mrsfussypants1 , my DH suggested the lite version initially which is quite a bit cheaper but this way once DC2 is old enough, they can play together (and we can too!).

OP posts:
Eleusa · 01/12/2022 17:11

If the only issue is the proximity to Christmas and you’d have bought it if his birthday were in April, then buy it. It’s not his fault he has a Christmassy birthday.

Floralnomad · 01/12/2022 17:13

No it’s fine , and it is ok to have a disparity in costs as long as the older one gets things they would like .

MistyFrequencies · 01/12/2022 17:15

Id buy him it.

averythinline · 01/12/2022 17:18

I dont think its too much .....as you say if his birthday was a different time of year you would..

Not sure I'd see a holiday at centreparcs .lovely as it is as a present for a child either....

Especially in the crappy weather switch is good fun...

Hugasauras · 01/12/2022 17:24

Eleusa · 01/12/2022 17:11

If the only issue is the proximity to Christmas and you’d have bought it if his birthday were in April, then buy it. It’s not his fault he has a Christmassy birthday.

Yes, this. It's crap having a birthday close to Christmas when it's a reason for buying less!

Closuretime · 01/12/2022 17:26

No it's not too much. It would be different if you couldn't afford it OP.

The switch is expensive I think that's what it is it's not that it is too much. I have the switch you connect to the TV well worth the money, we take it travelling as the handheld, its a life saver when we have been delayed in the airport. 7 is a good age and you will have it for years so easily a great investment.

WalkingOnSonshine · 01/12/2022 17:31

DS is younger but his birthday is very close to Christmas.

As he gets older, we are taking the approach of setting a budget for both, ie £100 for birthday and £150 for Christmas, but giving him the option to combine for a bigger ticket item.

As PP have said, if you’d buy it at another date, get it for him.

grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 01/12/2022 17:52

I really don't know. It really depends on your budget? My dc's birthday is close to Christmas too. That makes it harder if he wants something during the year. We can't really say we'll get it for your birthday, so we tend to get it for him.
But it does make Christmas or Birthday present less impressive, tbh.

mam0918 · 01/12/2022 18:21

I have 3 kids with 3 spread out birthdays (1 is right next to xmas) and all 3 birthdays are treat the same by following the same rule:

  • they get a party (well a party each year of primary, before and after primary its more like a family day out with cake)
  • £50 worth of presents

I keep everything balanced so the kids all get the same regardless of if its my DC with the new year birthday or my DC with the June birthday. By having a set rule for every year you don't end up 'cheaping out' or 'overcompensating'.

Original poster
Christmaswonder · 01/12/2022 18:58

@averythinline yes I agree, it’s a lovely treat but for a child of his age, he won’t get the “present”’aspect as it’s not something to open there and then. I mentioned that in my post to make the point he doesn’t get a ridiculous amount of gifts.

Thanks all, I do really like the idea of the Switch, DS is pretty good with sharing toys and stuff so I can’t see him being possessive over it with the rest of the family.

OP posts:
Leeds2 · 01/12/2022 19:08

Please don't "punish" him for having a Christmas birthday! If you would've bought the Switch if his birthday had been in July, buy it now!
My birthday is 5 days before Christmas ..............

NoelNoNoel · 01/12/2022 19:24

I’d buy the switch and maybe try and return the £50 birthday gift you already have bought. You could ask relatives to chop in for a game or two.

AlwaysFullOfQuestions22 · 01/12/2022 19:30

I don't. But i do like to go ott at xmas.

Weve got dsc a switch
A bike and helmet
Barbies
Clothes
Air. Forces
Craft set
All the Harry Potter dolls
Plus loads of other bits like earrings etc

4yr old

Bike and helmet
Barbie dream house
All 5 miraculous dolls
Styling head
Barbies
Frozen mini dolls
Real looking baby
Crafts
Little extras

Also have a teen.. And a toddler who all have equal stuff.

They also have stockings and xmas eve boxes.

I save all year for xmas always have shopin sales throughout the year. We save around 250/300 pm for xmas for the dcs and food

Yes its extreme but we also do lots of free stuff and days out. Making cookies etc.

AlwaysFullOfQuestions22 · 01/12/2022 19:33

And birthdays. Party at home until 3yr old.
From 4 book out soft play or similar.
Cake made professionally
And £250 each gifts.

Were not on a massive combined income at all as building a buisness.

Bur we go without all year for them

I have 2 of their birthdays 2 weeks after Xmas, then another 4 weeks after that.

Dsc is later in the year

Abraxan · 01/12/2022 19:40

If you'd have got it for him if his birthday was later in the year, and it's within your normal budgets then go for it. Child shouldn't be penalised because they were born soon after Christmas.

None of what you describe seems to be ott money wise, if you can afford it.

Creameggs223 · 01/12/2022 19:44

I'd get it. It's fun for all family I recommend mario kart and just dance plug it into the TV and you can all play.

grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 01/12/2022 19:45

Leeds2 · 01/12/2022 19:08

Please don't "punish" him for having a Christmas birthday! If you would've bought the Switch if his birthday had been in July, buy it now!
My birthday is 5 days before Christmas ..............

I don't get it, I don't think the problem is to do with birthday being close to Christmas, really, do you?

Sprouttreesareamazing · 01/12/2022 19:47

Things like tech though dc have no value to the cost just the gift. OK to spend imo.
Ds now 18 always wanted trainers. He quickly outgrew the dc sizing and the cost was insane. Not his fault he had huge feet. Asda plimsolls weren't his go to shoe!! Last pair were £220 in size 12. Thankfully he pays for his own now!

Snugglemonkey · 01/12/2022 19:48

If you can afford it, do it.

TheTeddyBears · 01/12/2022 19:50

I'd get him it. As long as you can afford it, doesn't seem too much to me.

itsjustnotok · 01/12/2022 19:53

Depends on what you’re happy paying. I spend more at Christmas than birthdays.
for my kids I’d personally think a switch too much but that’s just because we do things differently to you OP. It’s down to you what you want