Gransnet forums

Grandparenting

Buying gifts for grandson

(31 Posts)
Tizliz Sat 22-Oct-16 14:15:07

Because I would have to post presents to the grand children which is expensive I put money in my children's bank account and they buy the present. I know one will want cash, and one will want to put the money towards something big and the youngest will probably have it put in her savings account. They all get the same amount - currently £30, but I think it needs to go up.

Synonymous Sat 22-Oct-16 12:45:05

NannyMo that was more money than was needed to be spent to make a little boy very happy as he would never have known whether it was a copy or not. If the parents found a difficulty with that it would have been their problem not yours or the child's.

We have a budget so that all the children have approximately the same amount of money spent on each of them. Fortunately none of them are into football so that we are not compelled to take part in that particular fleecing by having to buy any of the strips.

We find it a challenge to find good quality items which will hold the recipients interest, be robust enough to withstand their play and be value for money. The parents also require minimal storage requirements. Not easy!

annodomini Sat 22-Oct-16 12:06:32

My very tactful DiL usually gives me a link to a web site for her children's presents. I don't necessarily spend the same on each child because their needs and wants vary and they will be pleased with a gift they really want no matter what it cost. When my DS2 was about 3, grandma asked what he wanted for Christmas (this was in July) and he asked for a metal detector! Need I say that he didn't get that. He's now 43 and still doesn't have one.

rosesarered Sat 22-Oct-16 11:37:55

Hello NannyMo I too think that you should set a budget and spend the same amount on every child.So whatever you decide (£30 say, on each child or £20) You then know not to exceed it.You can either tell all your DC what the budget is, and ask for suggestions, or get them to set up Amazon wish lists, or not tell them but buy all your gifts in good time, and say that you have already bought them gifts if asked.
We spend about £35 on each grandchild ( we have three) but some of the present will be something practical, and the rest on a toy and a book.
They all get so much these days, both from Santa (!) and all the relatives, that they don't need masses bought by Grandparents.

Luckygirl Sat 22-Oct-16 10:32:05

I just bought a football kit for my GS's birthday - I got it on ebay for £5.99. Presumably it is a "fake" - but he was chuffed to bits with it!

Maybe you need to tell your family roughly how much you are able to spend on each child and then they can make suggestions that fit with your budget.

You are not being stingy!

NannyMo76 Sat 22-Oct-16 10:22:17

We asked what to it for my grandsons 7th birthday and were horrified to be asked to buy a football strip priced at £75 .....I had already bought several bits and pieces so we ended up spending a lot. Decided to go withit and learn from the experience..
Now we have been asked to Buy another one for Christmas . We have several grandchildren to buy for and try to spend roughly the same on each . We are retired but comfortably off. My instinct is to say to my son t hat we will buy a cheaper version but are not prepared to spend so much on one item . Am I being stingy ?