Real life MMD: Should I stop age inappropriate gifts?

joehoover

I take pride in picking good gifts for my young nieces, and I never spend much, so I find this a bit strange. All well and good to recycle but if it's not appropriate it's a bit lazy and not giving much thought in the gift giving, more of "oh, that will do for them" attitude If she doesn't want them she should sell them or donate to charity, I wouldn't want things cluttering up a house for a few years til they can use them, it would drive me crazy!

But in the scheme of things it's not worth worrying about. Sell them yourself and buy something suitable unless you can make a joke of it with them as I would.

iceman_2

In many cases the ages merely represent massive a**e-covering by the manufacturer!

Lwsi

A present is a gift not a right. Accept any with thanks and if they are not suitable, wait until they are or give them to charity.

jobbingmusician

Interesting thread, as I did this myself this year. I gave our neighbours kids (ages 6,6 and 4) a set of Science Museum binoculars each (half price in Sainsburys!) In the card I told the parents that I knew the presents were a bit old for the kids, but I couldn't resist them, and thought they might like to put them away until the kids were ready for them. It turned out that the immediate neighbours keep a set of bins in the car, so the kids are well used to bins and will look after them - a bird watching introduction is planned. The other parents really appreciate educational toys, and value things for kids to 'grow into' when they have so much already at Christmas. Aspirational toys are definitely a good idea (as long as everyone doesn't do it!)

tenuissent

I deliberately give my 18 month old grand daughter presents too old for her. I really dislike seeing the plastic tat she is surrounded by, and refuse to add to it. My daughter has regular clear-outs, bagging things up for charity shops; I help her, so I know what disappears, and have occasionally rescued little things I have contributed (I keep them at my own house for their visits).

This year I have her a DVD with a book that her older brothers (5 and 6) will enjoy. It gives her something to tear the paper off, saves my face in front of the other granny, who does come up with huge plastic things, and gives the boys something to look at when Christmas is over.

I also agree with those who say simply put it away until the child is old enough. Apart from storage space, what is the problem?

mann-banks

I often re-gift and do so with my neice who is 5 but I always make sure the gift is appropriate for her and think that it is something she would like. (The gifts were ones my daughter recieved but were duplicates or to young for her, I have always given her the money for these gifts which then goes in her savings account) Re gifting is great but your family member is clearly making no effort and I think this is thoughtless and mean, and being shrewd with money doesn't have to make you tight. Perhaps buy her son a gift in decemeber more appropriate to your son and wait for it to be re-gifted at christmas? x

onesixfive

Why not bring them out of the packs when her child comes visting - it will give him something to play with whilst he's at your home - then you can make the point of saying you'll have to put it away again until he comes visting again, or until your child is old enough to play with it - look upon it as you will always have something for older visiting children to play with without having to buy anything.

Loopy_Lewis

I find it a little disturbing that she is apparently re-cycling what should have been gifts to her own son. Surely she hasn't taken the gifts away from her young child to give to another? I wonder what the givers of these gifts think? I agree with re-cycling gifts if they are your own and you are able to decide whether you want them or not, but this situation does seem a little strange. You should mention that the gifts are too old for your child and that you have concerns about safety etc. It all seems a bit mean to me.

horsechestnut

Just put them away for when they are suitable for the child. Children develop differently and some "older" things can be used at quite a young age; safety permitting. At 3 years old I was both knitting and sewing; sharp needles and scissors involved!!!
But I would worry that her own children are being deprived of their gifts. If you suspect that this is the case, then say something tactful to her about your child being too young to appreciate her generous gift / already spoilt buy other family members etc.

easysteve

Don't be so miserable. It's a gift... you should be lucky you 're getting something. If you're not happy with it, give it to charity.