The thing that annoys me most about buying presents ...

IvanOpinion

We started Christmas shopping for our nephews and nieces a few weeks ago. What annoys me the most is that they get enough pocket money to buy anything they want. We bought one niece a boxed set of 'American Dad' (on offer) .. she went out and bought it herself the other week. OK so we give that to another niece.

We bought some of the younger kiddies toys only to find out that one of their grandparents went out and bought them the same toys yesterday. NOw what do we do ... I guess they are getting duplicate toys!

We have a different idea though for one of my brothers kids

Ivan

CAFCGirl

Take a picture of all the toys etc and bits you've bought for all the kiddies, arranged like a massive hamper

Then send the goodies off to needy children in places Romania, as a shoebox gift,

and give the relative children back here a photo of what you'd sent, and tell them you gave the needy children of the world a present in their name and how we should all count our blessings that we are in the position to be able to give

victory

let them tell you exactly what they want and make sure they tell everyone else that is what you are buying them.
Gift vouchers-can't fault them.
CD vouchers- excellent.
Sponsor an animal at the zoo.
Red letter day experiences.
My Aunty is in her 60's and she every year makes a list and it goes around the family, ticking off what has already been bought.

Oscar

Get the parents to do the shopping and you just hand over the money!!!!

Extremely annoying though if you are the mother. My youngest has just had a birthday and I had to purchase the presents for one of his grandparents and two of his aunts(my side of the family). His other Gran and Aunt posted money!!!

My family have been doing this for years and drives me nuts as I like to get the best value even although I am not spending my own money!!

MissBehaving

I struggle to buy presents for my cousins kids. They live in Wales and we live in Kent. Hardly see them, other than at Christmas. They are the only kids in the family that we buy for. We set a spend limit and stick to it.

Last year I bought one of those Robosapian things for him.... It was an EXTRA special present at the price that it was!!! .... Found out two weeks after christmas that he had received one from the OTHER side of the family. Took mine back and bought something that i have never seen him play with!

ruthyjo

Hi - it's very generous of you to be buying presents for your nieces and nephews. Can I just make a suggestion? (Please don't shoot me down too badly.)

As a mum of three I really prefer it when my kids multiple aunties and uncles confer with me over what to get the kids. That way the gifts given are much more likely to be used and appreciated rather than gather dust.

Often what my kids need is something dull like new pyjames but an aunty makes them special by getting frilly angelina ballerina ones where I'd get a boring m and s two pack etc. I then have to grind my teeth when expensive party dress is rejected in favour of wearing new pjs all day on xmas day but that's another story!

There are loads of great bargains on this site all the time. I pick up loads of things for my children. I also pass over loads of things as being something my kids wouldn't want/need. I think the danger is when you're buying for kids you don't know so well these bargains seem very attractive regardless of whether they are actually appropriate or not.

barbie_babe

can you take everything back to the shop you bought it from and get the money back and give them vouchers.

Loopy_Lobes

I agree with gift vouchers or money. My children love getting money as they are usually saving up for something and love to boost their savings.

Gift vouchers for somewhere like Argos or Debenhams are good as there's such a lot they can buy in there rather than a store such as HMV where they are limited to entertainment stuff.

Alternatively if you prefer to give a proper 'gift' avoid shopping at Argos, ELC etc and look for smaller independent shops/websites that sell more exclusive items such as Hawkins Bizarre, Tridias.co.uk, Letterbox.co.uk etc. Keep the receipts just in case!

Loopy x

savingsgirl

ruthyjo wrote:

Hi - it's very generous of you to be buying presents for your nieces and nephews. Can I just make a suggestion? (Please don't shoot me down too badly.)

As a mum of three I really prefer it when my kids multiple aunties and uncles confer with me over what to get the kids. That way the gifts given are much more likely to be used and appreciated rather than gather dust.

Often what my kids need is something dull like new pyjames but an aunty makes them special by getting frilly angelina ballerina ones where I'd get a boring m and s two pack etc. I then have to grind my teeth when expensive party dress is rejected in favour of wearing new pjs all day on xmas day but that's another story!

There are loads of great bargains on this site all the time. I pick up loads of things for my children. I also pass over loads of things as being something my kids wouldn't want/need. I think the danger is when you're buying for kids you don't know so well these bargains seem very attractive regardless of whether they are actually appropriate or not.

I have to say I really agree with this. I also have 3 children and our relatives always ask me what they would like. I dont tell them what to buy but I give them an indication of what the children want/need. It also helps them as they get to see how delighted the children are when they get something they really wanted

Sarahjovi

I always consult my Sisters In Law, my side of the family, as to what to buy for their children, if they haven't got any ideas then the kids get what I can find. Last year I bought make up kits for my neices and the boys got gadgets, I only spend approx £10 so they get a gift or the cash!

I stopped buy altogether for my husbands side of the family as they never bought for my kids and I never got any thanks (bar one lot). I know you don't buy to receive, but it annoyed me when one sis in law, said she couldn't afford to buy for other peoples kids, and she was spending £300 each on her own (3 kids) and another one said she didn't have time to trawl the shops for pressents!

Sarah

lessonlearned

Don't know if this helps but once my children reached about 8 or 9 and no longer believed in you know who my husband's parents gave up buying large gifts for them. Instead they bought special post office bonds (which matured when each child reached aged 18 but could be kept till 21 for an extra bonus).

They did this for both Christmas and birthdays buying just a couple of small "token" gifts. This worked very well - my children were very happy with this arrangement. My eldest son cashed his in just a year ago to help out in his final year at university.

My parents did something similar - giving my children cash or vouchers for their main present and then just a couple of little "jokey" things to open on the day.

A friend of mine had a very far sighted grandfather who would not buy gifts - instead for Christmas and birthdays he bought shares for each grandchild, the certificates were in the child's name but had to be kept until they were at least 21.

My children (now 20 & 22) will be receiving a copy of Martin's "Money Diet" from me and also his new book if it's out in time.

If they learn as much from it as I have done then it will be a very valuable present!!