HOw do I manage all the presents my 6 year old will be getting for birthday

Smashing

bonty44 wrote: »

Sorry, but I don't think any child needs 30 presents.

Then don't invite 30 people.

It's a birthday party - how do people make this so complicated? If this is the definition of a 'dilemna' then I suggest acquiring some more pressing problems.

Daddy or chips? For instance.

Zazen999

Smashing wrote: »

Then don't invite 30 people.

It's a birthday party - how do people make this so complicated? If this is the definition of a 'dilemna' then I suggest acquiring some more pressing problems.

Daddy or chips? For instance.

Exactly - talk about a non-problem.

Chips - natch.

creased-leach

There's a pretty obvious compromise here.

Write a not on the invites along the lines of:

"Please don't feel obliged to bring anything but a smile! However, if you would like to bring a gift but find yourself stuck for ideas, ELC vouchers would be great as Johnny is saving up for X"

Reds-on-Sea

Mely wrote: »

As you are living in the U.K, it looks like you need to get used to our culture, and realise what is rude and what isnt! Certain things might be acceptable in your culture, when its not acceptable here. Asking for vouchers for a childs party is unacceptable and rude. If you cant cope with the amount of presents then why invite so many children?Your child is only 6 after all.

the issue isn't happysad's culture, it's that she's got foresight and consideration for her guests. It sounds as if you're using her "difference in culture" as a tool to belittle her argument. I'm English (well 1/2 Japanese actually, but born & raised here lol) and I totally agree with her. I wouldn't want people wasting their money on unnecessary gifts. On the flip side, I would be glad if a parent gave me clues as to what their child might like, or equally respectful & understanding if they said "no gifts"

she should be allowed to invite as many people as her son wants. it's not helpful to say, "you want less presents, invite less people" why shouldn't her son be surrounded by his friends on his birthday?

And it is wasteful to buy lots of clothes which are the same age as the child - somebody I know recently got 24 newborn baby grows as gifts....how helpful do you think that was? She asked for receipts an exchanged them for older clothes that would actually get used - I doubt anyone was offended!

Becles

You've got to think of the value of money too. If everyone is bringing a gift, in a 6 year old child's eyes, everything has equal value. They don't understand that Alex's Mam spent £10 on an action man set, but Mark's Mam spent 50p on a packet of felt tip pens. They just see that both boys brought a present.

However if you start asking for cash or vouchers, then children will notice who spent what, and it could lead to problems. They will notice if Alex gives a £10 note but Mark gave 50p.

aliasojo

Reds-on-Sea wrote: »

bit uptight....?

I take it you throw your daughter's christmas list in the bin then?

If a good grounding in manners and consideration equates to being uptight, consider me as uptight as they come.

As for your last comment, do you really think a child's Christmas wish list for Santa or Mum & Dad is comparable to this situation? :rolleyes:

aliasojo

Reds-on-Sea wrote: »

the issue isn't happysad's culture, it's that she's got foresight and consideration for her guests. It sounds as if you're using her "difference in culture" as a tool to belittle her argument.

Are you kidding? Have you actually read this thread? Happysad introduced the culture aspect to this debate herself, and made some comments she felt were relevent. Some of us pointed out that they were not as relevent in our culture. That's hardly belittling her argument.

fernliebee

I completely agree that children don't need so many presents. My DD was recently 1 and she was spoilt rotten, luckily my friends know us very well and she mainly got books. Even at her age I had a clearout of baby things put some in the loft for future siblings and donated the rest. I don't buy her new toys though as I get things second hand, and my family are fairly good as they ask what she wants and I will say a few different things so they have a 'price choice'. TBH my DD isn't too fussed for most of her toys, she likes to join in what I'm doing so will play with the pans and wooden spoons etc. I'm sure as babies they see bright coloured plastic and think 'Nah, thats no fun, I'm allowed that!"

Saying all that though I do think that on their birthday it doesn't matter if they get a lot of presents, esp at 6 they love the excitement of opening them, they know it is a big treat as it only comes around once a year and they can enjoy their day. If you have an issue with him having so much, why not sit him down afterwards and decide on a charity like children's hospital and say how there are children who are sick and don't have lot's of toys to play with and did he want to give some of his presents to these children as he has more than he can play with. Then it is his choice which ones to get rid of.

Like I have stated previously though, I would help him sort through his old stuff for charity and let him keep his presents, you can pass them on to charity before christmas. I think spoilt is an attitude, and you can be spoilt and have nothing, and at the same time you can have a lot of things on special occasions and still not be spoilt as you appreciate that you are very privileged. Why not just sit him down and make some thank you cards and let him know how lucky he is. It also means he remembers who gave him what, rather than being showered with gifts from all sides.

cte1111

For one of my DD's friends parties, her Mum did ask for a fiver in a card rather than a present (if we wanted to give a gift), as it was not long after xmas, and she said she wanted to cut down on packaging. I was a bit surprised but certainly not offended.

I do buy presents in sales for birthday presents usually, but I was quite happy to give the £5 instead, if they were snowed under already with toys.

Janepig

creased-leach wrote: »

There's a pretty obvious compromise here.

Write a not on the invites along the lines of:

"Please don't feel obliged to bring anything but a smile! However, if you would like to bring a gift but find yourself stuck for ideas, ELC vouchers would be great as Johnny is saving up for X"

In other words "please give an ELC voucher".

Jxx