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Christmas

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Original poster

No “main” present for teen dd

20 replies

Notcontent · 21/12/2022 18:34

I try not to buy too much for Christmas but usually like to have a main, big gift for dd. In the past it’s been things like a new phone, bike, etc. but this year she has everything. So I have got her a few things I think she will like but there is no large showstopper present. Anyone else in the same position?

OP posts:
IsItThough · 21/12/2022 18:36

None of my teens have anything big or especially expensive this year, nor last. they have things they have asked for or I know they will need and like - deliberately reigning in. They will be happy - It's not like being 10 and a full on Santa believer.

Needmorelego · 21/12/2022 19:02

It depends what you consider 'big'. My daughter's main present this year is a comic book.
To her it's the greatest thing ever. It's from the 80s and we had to track it down to order it. Cost less than £8.
It's 'big' to her because it's special.

Forth · 21/12/2022 19:04

Exactly the same - no single thing over £30. She's not into designer/brands (quite anti!) so that helps!

Thatsasmashingblouseyouvegoton · 21/12/2022 19:26

Same here
They have all the tech they need
Mid to late teen so no toys
Nothing over £50
But they'll love what they've got :)

reluctantbrit · 21/12/2022 20:45

We never did the "main" present thing. Some years there was one which stood out but more years DD just had a selection of smaller gifts with no "Wow" factor.

As long as they are presents she asked for or we know she would love, that's the important thing.

Comedycook · 21/12/2022 20:56

Yes my DD is 12...no main/big gift...just lots of medium/smaller gifts. I have warned her!

user375242 · 21/12/2022 22:37

Mine don't always get a 'main'. My teen this year isn't and she didn't last year. I find it balances out as years with an expensive gift like a bike or iPad usually mean going way over a reasonable budget according to average budget threads on here.

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 22/12/2022 09:56

Same no big gift..
Definitely no iPad here! She has a laptop, doesn't really ride her bike...maybe next year a new bike...
She's got bubble tea and clothes....

TheRealKatnissEverdeen · 22/12/2022 10:03

Same here. Even though my DS is only six. Previous years he's had a few pressies we thought he'd get excited for and play with non stop but he didn't. He loves plushie teddies, Lanky Box from YouTube and Roblox. So his gifts are focused around little bits he's mentioned through the year none of which are 'main' or particularly expensive. I reckon you'll be fine.

CountryCatLady · 22/12/2022 10:08

If you are worried about her feeling left put, especially if she has siblings, would a gift voucher or money be appreciated? One year. Because I didn't have a big main present from my parents they gave me an IOU, asking if I wanted cash/voucher/bank transfer. Admittedly I was an adult then, but it was appreciated more than getting something for the sake of it.

DataColour · 22/12/2022 10:27

Mine aren't getting any "main" presents either, they are 12 and 14. They get things bought for them as and when they need them, so Christmas is just nice to have things. DD 12 did ask for a jumper dress, so I'm getting that today and she loves Kenji, so getting vouchers from there. DS 14 just wants money to spend on fortnite "stuff. Got him some cricket trivia stuff and cycling cards, as he does those sports. I'll buy them some chocolate etc, ohh, and tapioca pearls to make bubble and lots of Chinese snacks as they love them. Also got lots of books for them. The first Agatha Christie for DD and the latest Neil Shusterman for DS.

Toomanysquishmallows · 22/12/2022 10:44

Same with my dd13 , she is having bits and pieces like a Nintendo 64 controller and some comics .she has no interest in clothes or jewellery.

ilovebagpuss · 22/12/2022 10:48

Same but I did get a couple of bigger gifts to put in with the books and chocs and so on. One DD was hi top converse and the other was a cd box set K pop band. So a couple of 50 quid gifts and then a lot of books/make up bits and so on. More fun to unwrap in my opinion than one big one and not much else.

Sevensilverrings · 22/12/2022 10:58

My teen has been really clear he needs nothing. No clothes. No gadgets. We’ve got him some skating and snowboarding bits and pieces that he uses constantly and wears out and concert tickets, which he will be really pleased about, but nothing much to unwrap. It’s end of an era, but really lovely he recognises stuff doesn’t make him happy. Much better than me at this! Also means his room is the tidiest in the house!!!

KillingLoneliness · 22/12/2022 11:00

My children’s main present is always the gift they want the most, doesn’t matter how big/small/cheap or expensive it is.

Iamnotausername · 22/12/2022 11:02

Ha! We're the opposite. One big present and very little else. She knows this but I still feel a bit bad tbh.

If it was up to me, I'd rather give her a few smaller presents. The big present was what she wanted though and she knew it would take up most of the budget.

HerbErtlinger · 22/12/2022 11:35

Yes same, lots of small things but no main thing. I have warned her. It's hard because her little brother is 5 and has lots of hot wheels and Playmobil which come in large exciting boxes. She's asked for perfume and make up which looks less exciting. I'm sure she won't even notice but I do

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 22/12/2022 11:38

None of my four teens have a main present but a few smaller ones.

sheepdogdelight · 22/12/2022 11:40

With teens, we will happily give them an "IOU" for a bigger present they actually want at some point later in the year.

So it depends on the small things you've got. If they've cost as much as a big present would, then that sounds fine. Otherwise you could also go for the IOU approach?

justasking111 · 22/12/2022 12:03

It's the same with mine. You get back to little stockings at this age

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