I want your thoughts....

KeepYourChinUp_2

Hi everyone

I (a bloke) have my two lads 5/8 every other weekend fri-sun. This year I am really struggling as to what to buy them for christmas. The main reason for this is

1.There are 2 boxes of toys in the garage that havent been used for months and they arent interested in playing with :mad: .

2. Space is limited as I do not want loads of toys hanging round the house for two weeks in between!

3. ex-wife and spoils them rotten, they have more stuff than toys r us ! ( Hence I dont want buy them anything to take back to mums as it dis appears/gets broken

So my thought was to buy console between them so I mentioned this a few weeks ago and all of a suddden they have a Wii :mad: .

Now do I buy them a 360 anyway (games seem to be cheaper ps3 to expensive) or do you have any better suggestions?

Thanks

KeepYourChinUp

PIXIEBUM

i think a xbox 360 is a great idea as there are so many different games out at the moment for children.

we are being given one this christmas and if you buy the bongo games you can all play it and when they are not there you can play on it.

and never tell your x what you intend to buy them. Buy them it anyway and make them a stocking incase they got it from there mum or ring them up on xmas day and asking them what the got if the got the same as you you will have to days to take it back and buy a new one!

simple!

xx

Mrs_Thrify

Hiya, I understand what you are saying about toys.....
I belive giving your time to show you care is more important than any gift.
I am thinking of somthing you can all do together! a board game, build a model, read a book. How about a weekend away to a holiday camp like Butlins - I know, not much fun for you but the boys will have your time in the free swimming, fair ground rides, meals out....

bride_on_a_budget

Hi, i know what you mean,
my ex does not have my son very often but when he does he spoils him rotten, my husband and i were going to get my son a ps3 for xmas when my ex appears and saya he has bought hin one for xmas and he knew we were going to get him one.

so i went and bought the deal in argos for the xbox 360 with 2 controllers and 23 games, i have looked it up and it seems to be a good console.

Barneysmom

Yes, get them an X-Box, they'll love it.
I really like the 'Lips' ad on telly, it looks like a great game that everyone can join in with.

KeepYourChinUp_2

I quite understand the quality time thing as I have been at this four years now and I assure you theres plenty of that .

I do try to take them away at least once a year. I cook with them have paints and things avaiable to use without having to ask . I'm not really interested at all in it for myself im more of a P.C. guy. Ofc I mentioned it to her to try and avoid the 'we already have this' comment. It does rather feel like I have been stabbed in the back a little, however I think I will go with the 360 as its a banker for birthdays as well:D

Thanks for the comments everyone :beer:

RustyFlange

Keep your chin up, not sure what your money situation is like, if you bought the xbox 360 and then if there was anything left over you could maybe take them out somewhere after christmas? not sure where in the country/world you are but we have been given £200 in vouchers from my mum and my grandad to share out between us (family of 4, me OH, son (6) and daughter (18 months) ) Myself and OH know how the children are spoilt at christmas so decided that the vouchers which can be used at theme parks such as alton towers/legoland and even hotels would come in handy for us to have a fun day out at somewhere like legoland or such like. Maybe you could plan a day out for in the new year?

KeepYourChinUp_2

Well I get by money wise although I feel a bit bled dry by CSA (no I have always paid, she did it in a hissy fit over the bank transfering it a day late due to a bank hol) because I get reviewed in may and theres 2 bank hols in may and I get extra payment for those I have to suffer the other 11 months because of it. (ops going off track)

Anyway the only exclusion to hols is the amount of time she allows me to have them but I dont want to spend more than a 360 + stocking each because I dont want to get into the out doing each other rubbish that sometimes goes on in these circumstances and this is the first year I have magaged to get money in the bank and I dont want to spend it all.

I think alton towers is a bit old for them yet and legoland is a long way south from where I am. My parents have already bought for them and they help with the holiday, however you make good points and your input is appreciated.

phunkles

You could adopt an animal at your local Zoo for them ? Then they and you can have a few days out to see the animal you adopted and the Zoo?
you could buy a tent? and sleeping bags for them? so in the summer you can go on camping trips the weekend you have them - the gift would stretch beyond Xmas and last the year.
A trampoline for the garden?

RustyFlange

KeepYourChinUp wrote: »

Well I get by money wise although I feel a bit bled dry by CSA (no I have always paid, she did it in a hissy fit over the bank transfering it a day late due to a bank hol) because I get reviewed in may and theres 2 bank hols in may and I get extra payment for those I have to suffer the other 11 months because of it. (ops going off track)

Anyway the only exclusion to hols is the amount of time she allows me to have them but I dont want to spend more than a 360 + stocking each because I dont want to get into the out doing each other rubbish that sometimes goes on in these circumstances and this is the first year I have magaged to get money in the bank and I dont want to spend it all.

I think alton towers is a bit old for them yet and legoland is a long way south from where I am. My parents have already bought for them and they help with the holiday, however you make good points and your input is appreciated.

Don't get me started on the CSA :mad: ...

I see where you are coming from Legoland is a long way south from here aswell but we still want to go. You sound like you have your head screwed on

sweetnskint

i would get them a ds lite! and few games! x they are brilliant and they link up with no cables. mario kart is good and only need one cartridge to link up! would not get xbox 360 they are unreliable.