Birthday presents don't always have to be exciting

I think the time has come to accept that birthday presents don't always have to be exciting.

Sometimes they can just be… practical.

October is a MASSIVE birthday month in our family, so I've got a lot of presents to buy, and this year I'm trying to be a bit more sensible about it.

Because let's be honest, how many times have we bought kids presents that sit around for years, never get opened, or get used once and then disappear into the cupboard?

And then there's clothes.

Someone gives you a jumper or a shirt, it's not quite your style, it doesn't fit properly, and you feel bad because someone went out of their way to buy it for you… but you're probably never going to wear it.

So this year, we're going practical.

My 13-year-old actually said to me:

“Mum, don't buy me a bunch of stuff I don't use. You always buy me things and we never use them.”

Fair enough.

So I asked him what he actually wanted, and he said money.

I said, “Nope. I'm getting you a watch.”

Not a smartwatch.. just a proper everyday watch.

He likes them, and who knows, maybe it'll be the beginning of a little watch collection as he gets older.

I'm also getting him some Spider-Man comics because that's something I know he'll actually keep.

My nephew is turning 18, and he's given us a list of things he wants, which honestly makes life so much easier.

I'm thinking about getting him a good suitcase.

I got a suitcase from my nan when I turned 18 and I STILL use it.

That's the kind of present I like something you can actually take with you and use for years.

I might also get him a perfume because that's another thing I know he'll actually use.

Then I've got my seven year old niece.

And let's be honest… little girls have EVERYTHING.

So rather than buying another random toy that's going to end up sitting in a cupboard, I'm thinking craft supplies things like scissors, colouring stuff, paper, paints, whatever she's actually going to use.

And socks and undies because let's be real you can never have enough.

For friends' kids, snacks or treats, or the famous lolly boxes are always a hit!

And if you don't know what to buy?

A gift card can actually be a really practical present.

Although I swear gift cards have a special talent for disappearing into handbags and drawers and never being seen again.

So maybe the lesson here is:

We don't always need to buy MORE stuff.

Sometimes the best present is something they actually wanted, something they need, or something they're going to use for years.

And honestly, with the cost of everything these days, I'm perfectly happy with practical.

 

Love 

Soph x