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Welcome to Mumsnet's shopping board. Whether you are after a new family car or a great new coffee machine this is the board for you. Share product recommendations and reviews here. Related: Discuss clothes and fashion on our Style and beauty forum. Check out Swears By to find the products Mumsnetters love and our reviews section to see the best baby and child products put through their paces.
Shopping
Should I make a big kid very happy for xmas?
Peckarollover · 23/12/2004 15:11
My DP as it stands isnt getting anything for xmas - we have agreed not to buy each other as money is a bit tight but I know he wont not of got me anything. He isnt getting anything from his mum either as we got a joint chest freezer from them!
Anyway, he is desperate for a DVD recorder - has been going on about them for ages as he wants one to transfer all of our video footage of the kids onto DVD. Would also be used to record things off the television if the other is watching soaps/sport etc.
Anyway I just know if I went and secretly got one for him today or tomorrow he would be over the moon - and Im now hooked on getting him one. If there wasnt something he REALLY wanted I would just think oh well Im not spending money just for buyings sake but it would really make his christmas AND we both really want one AND were going to get one anyway.
What do you think? Im aware I soudn like Im talking about a small child here but he really is a very selfless person and this is the first time Ive thought of something he would love to have - normally he would rather go with out so that me and the kids can have what we want.
Thoughts?
Peckarollover · 23/12/2004 15:11
PS
Ive found them much reduced (half price) in currys and have rung them and they are in stock.
ChristmasCracker · 23/12/2004 15:12
Erm if it won't mean you going without anything really important or stop you paying a bill then yes get it.
Peckarollover · 23/12/2004 15:13
Well - money isnt in abundance whatsoever at the moment BUT it will be going on an interest free credit card and he has lots of overtime coming in Januarys pay. So would pay it off then. Would mean maybe in January that we wont be able to have any other treats but think it might be worth it.
PamiNativity · 23/12/2004 15:14
Buy one! No question about it! (that's my opinion anyway). You were going to get one anyway so why not give him a lovely surprise and make his Christmas at the same time?
If he gets annoyed with you, tell him it was my fault
Minstrel · 23/12/2004 15:14
He sounds a lovely person, so go for it!! Just picture his face on Christmas morning...
Mum2girls · 23/12/2004 15:18
Yep do it - as long as you're not going to add to a debt problem or leave yourself seriously destitute....!
Peckarollover · 23/12/2004 15:26
It would be sort of adding to a debt problem BUT because of the extra money will cover that no problem - of course it may be better off paying off debt but I just keep thinking oh but its christmas and I really would love the opportunity to delight him. The debt is the only reason I might not.
Ive also just found the last of my high street vouchers I have saved up for which can be used where Im going to buy it so thats another tenner off!
Think Im going to do it.
Hulababy · 23/12/2004 15:28
So long as you won't overstretch yourself - go for it. BUT - will he have a DVD to watch on it? There are some great deals on DVD players right now and you can get some great value ones. And it is kind of a family pressie as well, as you all get to watch it.
Peckarollover · 23/12/2004 15:29
We already have a DVD player and lots of DVDS - its a DVD recorder he is after to download all of his video footage to DVD as the main reason and also to record from the television.
Hulababy · 23/12/2004 15:31
Ah - must read better!
Just make sure you know how much it can record, and on what format. They vary hugely.
Peckarollover · 23/12/2004 15:37
Hula
Here is the spec
DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, Video CD, Super VCD, Audio CD, MP3 and Jpg compatible.
# One touch recording.
# Up to 6 hours recording on each DVD.
# DV input for easy camcorder editing.
How does that sound?
Hulababy · 23/12/2004 15:47
I don't really know TBH, sorry. Sure someone will. It is DH who is up on this stuff and sadly he is at work right now. I am sure someone on MN will know though.
LIZS · 23/12/2004 16:01
Without wishing to sound like a wet blanket I'd be sceptical about a half price offer especially pre-Xmas. The normal selling price is often inflated to an unrealistic level just for them to be able to promote it later and you may find something similar reduced in the post- Christmas sales, perhaps even a better brand or specification. If you are wavering over the money perhaps wrap up a promise to buy it when you have the overtime in your hands and he can then choose the model he really. I'm useless at buying techy stuff without knowing exactly what is required, even down to a particular model and it would be costly to get it wrong.
Avalon · 23/12/2004 16:50
This is probably a bit late - but I always find it better to let dh buy the techy stuff in our house. That way he gets what he wants and he already knows all the different specifications whereas I would have to gen up on them.
xmashampermunker · 23/12/2004 16:57
I'd give him a card with a fancy voucher for a trip to buy a DVD recorder in the sales. That way, you get to see the delight on his face, you get the DVD recorder, but you don't get the horrible feeling of oh bother wish I'd waited till the sales.
DH is also pestering for one of these (says he's getting me used to it for when DS does it).
Would write more, but DS has got hold of the presents under the tree...!
Peckarollover · 23/12/2004 18:14
Hmmm cant decide what to do now!
Im pretty techy - probably more so than him so feel happy with the spec etc its whether or not they will come down more in the sales
xmashampermunker · 23/12/2004 18:16
You could always buy it, keep the receipt and take it back if it's cheaper in the sales
(Actually, not sure if you'll only get the sale price back - don't think you do if you have the receipt though?)
Peckarollover · 23/12/2004 18:18
Hmmm I wonder if you do or not
Wonder if i could find out
cupcakes · 23/12/2004 18:22
My dh has just told me he plans to get me the dualit toaster I have been wanting as my Christmas present. However I am not sure about what colour and rather than rushing in and making a mistake and choosing the one wrong I told him to let me think about it and get it when I had checked out all the offers etc. Seeing as it's only for me I don't mind waiting a few weeks - and we might get it cheaper in the sales...
I know if I was getting something like that for my dh I would value his opinion on what I was choosing. The surprise on Christmas morning would be nice but... I would sooner look for one in the sales. You don't want to see a better one at a better price in just a few weeks!
Peckarollover · 24/12/2004 13:06
Well.............. I got it!!
Hee Hee Im all excited - got it very late last night and came in when he was asleep and wrapped it so he wont see.
Im going to leave it until after we have opened all the pressies and say "Oh look, one of Ds's pressies is still there - why dont you open it for him"
Im so excited! He rang this morning to remind me to buy a DV tape for the camcorder and was saying he was going to ask around to see if anyone has a DVD recorder or rewriter so he can get all the footage onto DVD - I said I would ask around too and maybe ask my Dad on New Years Eve when I see him if he would do it for us!
cupcakes · 24/12/2004 13:17
Sounds like you've got just the right thing!
Hope you have fun tomorrow!
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