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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

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Original poster

Accidentally spoiled my surprise :-(

50 replies

CharlotteBog · 19/12/2023 23:28

I was rounding up laundry this evening. DS2 said he had a shirt in his school bag which was downstairs. He was busy upstairs so I said I'd retrieve it.
While doing so I came across a bottle of shampoo and conditioner. I thought it was either something he'd received as Secret Santa from a friend or that he'd offered to carry it home for his older brother who is home for Xmas.
I took it out and asked him about it, whereupon I was told it was my Christmas present.
I felt sad - for him, because he'd chosen something for me and sad for me, because I don't get many surprises on Xmas day.
He'd obviously forgotten they were in there.

It's just me and my boys and when they were smaller no one helped pick a gift for me, when they were able and sort of willing it was all a bit hit and miss (bless them) and now they're older it's nice that we all appreciate the art of giving and receiving.

It's nothing fancy - tenner from Boots for both of them, but chosen with care and I told him how much it meant to me.

Anyway, we decided that I would buy them from him, and that if he's up to doing a bit more shopping I'd really love it if he could pick me out something to open on the day.

OP posts:

JassyRadlett · 23/12/2023 12:30

Mirabai · 23/12/2023 12:01

Why wouldn’t you just say you’d forget about them until Christmas Day and will look forward to “opening” them then?

I think it’s bizarre to “buy” the present and ask him to get you something else - I very much doubt that idea came from him.

Adults don’t need surprises on Christmas Day.

Because the lad wanted to give his mum a nice surprise on Christmas Day, and his mum wanted to give him the opportunity to still do that without having the gloss taken off it but without costing him extra.

OP, my 12 year old dragged me back out yesterday because he was worried he hadn't got his dad's present right, and he was so happy when he found the "perfect" gift, and I thought of your lovely boy and hope mine continues to find joy in the act of choosing and giving.

synonymed · 23/12/2023 12:30

Mirabai · 23/12/2023 12:01

Why wouldn’t you just say you’d forget about them until Christmas Day and will look forward to “opening” them then?

I think it’s bizarre to “buy” the present and ask him to get you something else - I very much doubt that idea came from him.

Adults don’t need surprises on Christmas Day.

The only bizarre thing in this lovely post is you tbf.

Debaubled · 23/12/2023 12:43

Mirabai · 23/12/2023 12:01

Why wouldn’t you just say you’d forget about them until Christmas Day and will look forward to “opening” them then?

I think it’s bizarre to “buy” the present and ask him to get you something else - I very much doubt that idea came from him.

Adults don’t need surprises on Christmas Day.

Spectacularly missing the point. Are you the grinch perhaps...?

Lovely DS OP. You are clearly bringing him up very well indeed.

Sunsept · 23/12/2023 12:45

Theraffarian · 20/12/2023 08:32

Bloody excellent save to be honest , and may have bought an odd sheen to my eyes .

Gosh, me too! Tears falling as I type.

Well done OP, you handled that beautifully. It just goes to show that it really is the thought that counts.

Hotheadedredhead · 23/12/2023 20:12

Ah what a lovely son <3
Hope you all have a lovely Christmas.

Dingdongdog · 23/12/2023 20:41

Aw both of you sound lovely

@Mirabai you are quite right. Adults don't need surprises at Xmas but lovely thoughtful children need to give them (as well as receive them) so I totally get where this caring mumma is coming from

Phoenixfire1988 · 23/12/2023 21:32

He sounds absolutely delightful and I think you handled it really well bless him

Loveandloveandlove · 23/12/2023 21:33

Love this 🤗 Merry Christmas. X

AboutYouTalk · 23/12/2023 21:53

Your DS sounds lovely and a credit to you 💕great save by you, whatever he buys you next will be loved by you I’m sure. Happy Christmas 🎅 🎄

Youregoingthewrongway · 23/12/2023 21:56

This is so sweet. Well saved. You sound like a lovely mum and he sounds like a lovely boy. Happy Christmas.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 23/12/2023 22:07

Adults don’t need surprises on Christmas Day

No, you're absolutely right, they don't. That doesn't stop surprises on Christmas Day being a rather pleasant thing to have, though. Life would be very dreary if we went through it getting only the things we need rather than what we want or would like to have.

Your son sound lovely, OP, and I bet you get a cracking present.

gawditswindy · 23/12/2023 22:10

Nobody 'needs' surprises, ever. But sometimes it's nice to have them, even if you are a grown up.

WhimsicalMoth · 23/12/2023 22:12

That's the best compromise you could have made. I'll admit I'd never have thought of this. You've handled it really well.

HalliwellManor · 23/12/2023 22:56

Mirabai · 23/12/2023 12:01

Why wouldn’t you just say you’d forget about them until Christmas Day and will look forward to “opening” them then?

I think it’s bizarre to “buy” the present and ask him to get you something else - I very much doubt that idea came from him.

Adults don’t need surprises on Christmas Day.

Ruddy hell,you sound fun to be around...

LongLostTeacher · 23/12/2023 23:10

Bless you both.

This has brought a tear to my eye, not in a sad way. You feel disappointed but I see it as you and your son are on the right path.

HazelWicker · 23/12/2023 23:34

This is lovely, OP. It's just me and my 3YO and I can imagine how big such a small gesture can feel.

Wishing you and your boys a very merry Christmas x

TheMamaYo · 24/12/2023 07:33

What a perfect save. You and your boy sounds bloody lovely. 💕 Merry Christmas to you and your family OP.

καλοκαλoκαιρι · 24/12/2023 10:18

Mirabai · 23/12/2023 12:01

Why wouldn’t you just say you’d forget about them until Christmas Day and will look forward to “opening” them then?

I think it’s bizarre to “buy” the present and ask him to get you something else - I very much doubt that idea came from him.

Adults don’t need surprises on Christmas Day.

but the surprise is mainly for the kid’s benefit surely? as in the excitement of getting to surprise mum. that’s why she’s offered the solution of re-buying the gift. i think it’s a really sweet thing to have done :)

PloddingAlong21 · 24/12/2023 11:38

What a lovely boy you have! Very thoughtful and sweet.

Baba197 · 24/12/2023 16:39

Sounds like you’ve done a great job bringing him up, I’m a single mama as well my boy is 6 and this year chose me some chocolatesin the supermarket, completely unprompted. Good compromise there as he now gets to choose you something else

RudolphComingIntoLandOver · 24/12/2023 18:38

This is such a beautiful post. I needed this. Thank you, and merry Christmas!

cantbecaught · 26/12/2023 22:24

Would love to hear what he chose the second time. Hope you had a great day!

Original poster

CharlotteBog · 27/12/2023 14:57

cantbecaught · 26/12/2023 22:24

Would love to hear what he chose the second time. Hope you had a great day!

He got me some Hair Biology shampoo and conditioner. It smells lovely.
I won't need to buy any shampoo or conditioner for a while!
It all worked out well and we had a lovely day, thank you.

My other son got me a meat thermometer!

I hope everyone is having a nice time.

OP posts:

cantbecaught · 27/12/2023 18:52

That's made me smile OP. He obviously loved his original idea so just tweaked it. The meat thermometer is really funny. I hope you all had a great day.

LubaLuca · 28/12/2023 17:50

Lovely update! I'm glad it all worked out for you 😊

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