Christmas Present Dilemma

Spendless

Person_one wrote: »

Yikes, what do you know now? They're not secretly transformers or gremlins or something are they?

*looking nervously at the Xbox in the corner....:cool:*

Nah. Furbies are though. Apparantly they turn into Gremlins in the middle of the night and try to eat anyone asleep. So my 12 yo son told his little sister last night. :think:

DevilsAdvocate1

newcook wrote: »

Is it going to end up with tantrums if they both get a console if DS2 doesn’t have a tv in his room?:
DS2: I really want to play my game
You: maybe later, corrie’s on at the moment/when DS3 is in bed etc.
DS1: Im off to go and play on MINE in MY room
DS2: can I play please?
DS1: no its mine and you cant touch it or be in my room
DS2: mooOoooOoooom


You have said yourself that DS1 has always had the an item before DS2 – something they will both be aware of. Is DS1 now saying he wants the console because he actually does want it or just so he can say he go his first again?!

I would give DS1 half the money and buy him something different with the rest so he too has something to unwrap and play with xmas day – if he still really wants one he can always use his xmas money to get one.

You've hit the nail on the head here. This is exactly what I think will happen. DS2 doesn't have a TV in his room. DS1 got one for his 14th birthday and we have explained to DS2 that he won't get one until we think he is mature enough to not put it on when he should be sleeping.

Anyway, we have now put several different options to DS1. I have suggested looking at 2nd hand for electric pianos. I have also suggested that I could help him find some jobs to earn money. My parents are elderly and I know they would pay him to go over and do some hoovering. I have suggested cheaper electric pianos. With regards to the Wii-u, I have suggested that I take him to buy on the day after Boxing Day or he can have the cheaper Wii-u pack.

He will be getting some presents to open anyway and I have done a stocking for all of them. The final suggestion came tonight. His birthday is just 6 weeks after Christmas. We suggested that if he can save £100 (he has £60 already), then we could buy him an electric piano that has just been reduced to £600.

Its not the one he wants, but my husband thinks it is actually better. However, it will mean no presents on his birthday (he might get a bar of chocolate!). We will go on Saturday so he can see it, and he could have that one. This is the first suggestion that has received a positive response, as he said "Wow".

So, his brothers will be going to their grandparents on Saturday so we can take DS1 shopping.

At the end of the day, I don't want to be mean to any of my children. Hopefully, an answer has been found.

Thanks everyone who has replied.

DevilsAdvocate1

z.n wrote: »

Does the eldest really need a Wii U and an x-box and an electric piano? I would go for the electric piano-maybe look for a decent one (background beats etc) but put in in a common part of the house so everyone can enjoy it-with eldest getting priority rights.No need to get the top of the range until it is clear it will be money well spent. Be realistic though- playing an electric piano is nothing like a computer game and may prove hard work unless he really is keen. But then if he is keen it will be much deeper fun than any computer game.

He is really keen. We have a piano already and he has been learning it for around a year. He absolutely loves it and will spend every waking minute playing it. It is driving us nuts!

My husband is very musical and DS1 must have his dad's music genes!

DevilsAdvocate1

arbroath_lass wrote: »

I don't understand what the importance of having something first is. It's what happens when you have siblings. Surely in the two years between them something has been updated so middle child has something the oldest doesn't. What about the youngest - shouldn't he have something first too?

If they both want it, they both want it and, if it is an acceptable gift to you, then I think you should get them both the Wii-u.

The youngest is completely different to his older brothers. He loves making things and doing crafts. All he ever wants is craft stuff and lego. One year, he asked for wrapping paper and cellotape. He then spent weeks wrapping everything up!

arbroath_lass

DevilsAdvocate1 wrote: »

At the end of the day, I don't want to be mean to any of my children. Hopefully, an answer has been found.

Can I just say you sound like a lovely Mum :T

LannieDuck

DevilsAdvocate1 wrote: »

The youngest is completely different to his older brothers. He loves making things and doing crafts. All he ever wants is craft stuff and lego. One year, he asked for wrapping paper and cellotape. He then spent weeks wrapping everything up!

Love it! :rotfl:

balletshoes

Spendless wrote: »

Nah. Furbies are though. Apparantly they turn into Gremlins in the middle of the night and try to eat anyone asleep. So my 12 yo son told his little sister last night. :think:

this year's furbies are freaky looking things - at least the last lot were cute (they did still wake up in the middle of the night and freak you out though :rotfl:).

z.n

Great to hear DS1 loves the piano. If he is musical this could be his 'thing.' Perhaps ensure the keyboard chosen can also be used as a midi controller (plugged into pc to operate more complicated software for songwriting etc). Birthday could be a few 'learn to keyboard' books and chord dictionaries and build from there. Aim for one that is portable so he can get together with friends (band?). Fingers crossed it is as wonderful for him as he hopes.

roxannafy48

whitewing wrote: »

Wii-u for middle and cash for oldest.

ETA: And either you or DH to have a quiet, mature word with eldest to lay down the law on not making a fuss about it, ie warn eldest that this is what's happening.

Exactly what i wanted to say. Hands down, totally agree

ska_lover

Person_one wrote: »

Yikes, what do you know now? They're not secretly transformers or gremlins or something are they?

*looking nervously at the Xbox in the corner....:cool:*

Lol, no something far more sinister than that