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Original poster

At what age do they appreciate value rather than size?

19 replies

merrySOAPBOXingday · 23/12/2005 15:21

DD(7) is getting a digital camera, memory card and cella sticker maker for christmas.

DS(5) is getting two huge boxes of playmobile.

Hers cost a lot more than his, as his is fron TK Maxx and was dirt cheap.

Other bits and pieces are more or less the same in size and value.

His pile is enormous though and hers is tiddly.

Do you think 7 is old enough for her to understand the value rather than size of her presents?

The digital camera was on her Santa list, so she does want one!

Or do I rush out and buy something cheap but massive to even it up a bit??? I am really loathe to do this as I've settled in for christmas now and have no desire whatsoever to go anywhere near shops today or tomorrow!

So what's the MN view of my conundrum?????

OP posts:
NutcrackingXmas · 23/12/2005 15:22

Hmmm not sure tbh. It's really me that has the prob with the pile sizes in our house.

I hate it if the piles are different sizes, but can just about cope if they have the same amount of pressies.

Glitterygook · 23/12/2005 15:23

I don't have a 7 year old so maybe someone else with think otherwise, but I'd leave it. I'd imagine she knows a digital camera is really pretty special and would have been expensive.

Especially as you've settled now as well.

Lmccrean · 23/12/2005 15:25

is she too old that if you stuck the camera in a huge box with some paints/markers and fabric, she could make a house/shop/etc with it, and then photograph it? Will keep her busy while you prepare dinner! (And worked on me..except mine didnt have camera inside it)

Lmccrean · 23/12/2005 15:26

should point out this was years ago...prob about 5 yrs old or something

merrymarchhare · 23/12/2005 15:35

BF still has this problem with her three who are 6,8 and 11. She was complaining about it the other day and saidt that it was more the initail sighting of the piles that seemed to be the issue so I said why dont you put them altogether,hand them out and then someone elses pile is only bigger when they know what things are iyswim.

bsg · 23/12/2005 15:57

My friend had this problem. I am sure that she spent more money on the one who had the more expensive but smaller pressies as she said her (she was 7 or 8) year old wouldn't understand and didnt want her to feel as if she had less. I think I would explain the value to be honest. I think 7 is old enough to understand.

MerryMegandSnowySoph · 23/12/2005 16:12

not untill she is buying pressies

I just had this conversation with my mum today, and she said when I was eight after getting a bike and obviously less presents than I had got previous years due to the expence of the bike, I turned around and said "is that it" she said I didn't realise the value until I was at least 10 or maybe I was just a spoit wee witch

TroutSprout · 23/12/2005 18:00

Well i'm very much hoping that it's at least 8 years . Ds (8) has got a tinsy pile which cost about 100 quid. dd (2) has huge pile of ugly pink plastic crap which was much cheaper.....
mmmmm...we shall see

roisin · 23/12/2005 18:10

I would be very disappointed if a child complained at the size of their pile after opening the presents.

This year (as the boys are a bit older) we are putting all the presents in one heap with raffle tickets on (as well as labels), and we will take turns to draw a ticket, find the appropriate present, and watch the recipient open it.

Raffle tickets was a mn suggestion, obviously, but I'm afraid I can't remember who.

roisin · 23/12/2005 18:11

In the past we've always done a treasure hunt, with clues as to where the presents are hidden. Again that means you avoid the sight of a huge pile (of chunky plastic rubbish for a toddler) against a smaller (more expensive) collection.

Original poster
merrySOAPBOXingday · 23/12/2005 18:16

Thanks for your comments - I've evened up the number of presents and put her camera inside a humungous box, inside is a smaller box and so on until you get to the present

Don't get me wrong, DD would never complain about this, that's not her style at all. She would though have that slightly wobbly chin and glassy eyed look for a nano second when she saw the pile

Nana has come up tops as well - she's bought her a beautiful hand made patch work quilt which is BIG - hurrah for Nana

OP posts:
Enideepmidwinter · 23/12/2005 18:17

all ours are mixed together under the tree

dd1 will only have eyes for her unicorn which is the hugest parcel known to humanity

PrincessPlumPuddingHead · 23/12/2005 18:18

don't put the presents in a pile - put them all under the tree together and hand them out one by one and then the situation doesn't arise

PrincessPlumPuddingHead · 23/12/2005 18:18

snap enid!

hope your dh is reconciled to the unicorn.... she will LURVE it

Enideepmidwinter · 23/12/2005 18:19

he has grudgingly admitted that her face on Christmas Day will probably make him like it

Original poster
merrySOAPBOXingday · 23/12/2005 18:20

Hmmm - Santa always leaves our presents neatly in piles - many of them in a sack!

DD is a bit wobbly on the existence of Santa, so I'm taking no chances this year by varying any Santa related traditions

OP posts:
PrincessPlumPuddingHead · 23/12/2005 18:22

make sure you get in a good, yet childish, "na na na naaa naaaaaaaah" when he is sobbing over how much she loved it afterwards

Enideepmidwinter · 23/12/2005 18:23

I thought just huge grin with smug mummy halo above head might do it

NutcrackingXmas · 24/12/2005 08:06

Where did you get it from in the end Enid ??

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