Taking back presents

Jewel_2

Another way of saving money. If you have children and they want EVERYTHING they see on televisision, do what I did last year.

My daughter was into Bratz, and she was desperate for a Bratz Head etc. I bought all of these, kept the receipts. She opened them on Christmas day, and by lunchtime she hadn't played with them. She had spent the time on her very cheap hopper, pogo stick etc. So, I hid them!!! I thought I would wait a while to see if she asked for them. She had had so many things from relatives etc that she didn't even notice. I took them back to the shop a couple of weeks later and got a full refund. She has NEVER asked for them since!

How mean am I!

Timmne

BRILLIANT idea!!

It's true really, spend less overall, but bigger smiles on the kiddies' faces!

Not mean, just a MSE!

SunderlandBlackCat

Sounds like a good idea to me - but then again I don't have any kids so what do I know.

mrcow

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

:rotfl:

I don't know if I could do that........


Mind you when my son said that Santa was bringing him Lego Exoforce this year, I told him that it was impossible as Santa canonly fit small presents in the stockings or there's not enough room on his sleigh.

I do take back a lot of my pressies though (no so much toys) and either get vouchers to exchange them for things I need. It may sound tight to some, but random "stuff" just bought for Christmas or brithdays actually makes my brain hurt (when I think of what people have spent).

seven-day-weekend

EErr....perhaps it's me....

..but why buy the things in the first place?

Jewel_2

Yes I agree. My mother in law buys us awful presents with no thought (I don't mean to sound !!!!!y but it's true). She buys my OH a small bottle of whisky with a glass, and me a jumper with the receipt attached to it. Always wrong size. We take these back because otherwise they will be wasted. And all that posh chocolate people buy cosing £10 a go! I would rather have a nice card and a big hug!

immoral_angeluk

I'm so glad my little girl is only 21 months.. she's not at the age where she goes through toy catalogues with a fine toothcomb making a list of every single toy she must have because she needs it to complete her set/her friends have got one/she saw it on tv/its the latest craze/she already has one but she's chopped all the hair off etc.

Jewel_2

Sorry Seven day weekend, my last post was for the other poster.

Yes, you've got a point. Having said that I don't go over budget, so she doesn't get everything, just those things she 'really, really' wants. I have budgeted so she can keep them, I'm not denying her that. But if she doesn't play with them, then I may as well take them back. I would spend my budget anyway.

Broken_hearted

Jewel wrote:

Yes I agree. My mother in law buys us awful presents with no thought (I don't mean to sound !!!!!y but it's true). She buys my OH a small bottle of whisky with a glass, and me a jumper with the receipt attached to it. Always wrong size. We take these back because otherwise they will be wasted. And all that posh chocolate people buy cosing £10 a go! I would rather have a nice card and a big hug!

You mean the ones with the 4 chocolates, a miniture and a glass. I love them, bout them 3 for 2 at boots with my pigsback voucher for my friends.

KittyKate

Am I the only one that thinks that's a bit cruel! Making a child think they have something then taking it away! For all you know she might think she has lost it and is too frightened to say anything!

If you really need the money to cover debt just be honest with your child and ask her to pick 2 or 3 presents from Santa and the rest will come from relatives/friends. Still plenty of pressies but money saved for you. I understand she didn't play with it on the day but kids are overwhelmed at Christmas and I can't imagine hiding a child's toys myself. Sorry if I'm not being DFW but there are other means and ways!

pudding06

I do think young kids just forget what they got - especially when they get loads from different people. I dont think its cruel. Mine just didnt get much at all and they did sometimes resent it but now they look back and realise it was a tough time for us and we had no choice,

Sometimes I wish there really was a santa, so all kids were equal.
pudds