Christmas Present Dilemma

DevilsAdvocate1

princessdon wrote: »

But why 2 things the same? Very puzzling indeed. It's like buying 2 versions of same board game or 2 of the same book. Surely it's better to share?

I used to think like this, but it just hasn't worked as well when they have become older. It started with the Harry Potter books. The older two were both into it at the same time and both wanted to read the books. So who reads book 1 and who waits? We used the library for a while, but when one asked for a set for his birthday it meant we ended up with 2 copies of each book in the series.

The other thing is that my oldest is like my husband in that they can read a book and it still looks like new when it is finished. Sadly my younger boys take after me and the books end up creased and well loved. DS1 wants his books kept nice.

Having said that, there is one series that they do share and they take it in turns when buying it (its a very long running manga).

Just last week both DS2 and DS3 have bought the latest Diary of a Wimpy Kid book. The book is an early Christmas present from my mum. Its actually quite sweet seeing them both cuddled up on the sofa reading the same book. They keep stopping and chatting about it.

I think as they get older they want their own possessions. And tbh I can see their point. If someone came into my house and wanted half my chocolate before taking a can of lager out of my fridge and then reading my book, I don't think I'd be too happy. :rotfl:

DevilsAdvocate1

Person_one wrote: »

If he really wants an electric piano it doesn't need to cost £1000, maybe you could go round some music shops and look for a cheaper one that wouldn't seem so unattainable?

Yamaha stage pianos are reasonably priced and decent quality.

Yes, we've tried to have this conversation with him. Its like he has set his sights on something unobtainable. I personally, think he is pushing the boundaries a bit to see how much he can get us to spend. My husband teaches keyboards and in his opinion the one my son is looking at is not musically any better than one half the price. He thinks it just looks a bit nicer.

He loves going into music shops and will spend every Saturday there if we let him.

SingleSue

ska_lover wrote: »

To me, its not about what you can afford, its about family values. I think that is the kind of thinking that has broken down family life, as it used to be. Children all playing on consoles indvidiually,and seperate PC's and T.Vs in each bedroom, and family members being very insular. I prefer a bit of family time, and family games etc in my house hold.

If we think about our own childhoods, could you IMAGINE in a million years of having a TV and a games console to yourself?? My we were lucky to have one (Atari) console in the house, and we had one T.V in the 'front' room, which was not, as children/teenagers seen as the 'be all and end all' of entertainment.

Yes I know im very old fashioned

We only had one telly and no games system, still didn't make a difference to family life.....being the unsociable mare I was, I used to take myself off to my bedroom and read a book! :rotfl:

Still, my parents could never complain about me being noisy, they hardly saw me and when they did, my nose was stuck in a book and I was completely absorbed in it (a family trait, we can zone out very easily....handy for studying for exams though, can be as noisy as anything as we don't hear any of it!)

property.advert

Tell kid 1 to grow up and stop being such a pain in the backside.

NoAngel

Actually I was mis-informed that the Wii u was a handheld games console, so that's why it made sense to have one each. However I've since realised it isn't so wouldn't have thought it'd be as fun to have one each?

mummyroysof3

I personally wouldn't want to have 2 of the same thing in the house like that, will middle sons wii be in family room or his room? Do they have their own room or share?

minimoneysaver

Have you looked into refurb or shop seconds on the electric piano? You maybe able to pick up the £1000 model he wants for significantly less. If you have a model number, maybe some of us will be able to help you do a search. x

duchy

I'm a bit confused ...does it REALLY have to be one or the other ?

Could you not say to him "OK your Christmas budget is £250 -you could save half and have a cheaper present if you want to do both" (I do think he might be pushing it to see if he can have the best of both worlds though..... Classic 14 year old ) I'd definitely introduce him to the world of "preloved" though to illustrate how to get more for his money and maybe just maybe teach him a really valuable lesson about how to get what you REALLY want without paying full retail price (and how satisfying it is to beat the system when you find what your heart really desires at half the price)

jellyhead

Does all of this discussion about money and presents mean the 7 year old knows Santa isn't real?

quantumleap

jellyhead wrote: »

Does all of this discussion about money and presents mean the 7 year old knows Santa isn't real?

What! What do you mean Santa isn't real!