Gransnet forums

Chat

Stupid presents for grandchildren

(130 Posts)
watermeadow Mon 01-Aug-22 15:47:15

I always ask my daughters what the children would like for birthdays and Christmas. Some suggestions have not been my idea of desirable, like the £25 “designer” deodorant. The latest daft request is Lego plants, which are marked 18+ and contain hundreds of tiny pieces. Once assembled you use this plastic tat as an ornament, it can’t be taken apart and reused.
My granddaughter who will be 11 wants this rubbish, which I consider a complete waste of money.
I’ve ordered it but very reluctantly. The old Lego gave years of fun.

Jaylou Wed 03-Aug-22 16:08:03

It would seem the OP didn't like the answers to her post and has gone quiet. Seems to be a lot of us who have discovered Lego plants through this discussion and want one. Maybe post was a plant (do you see what I did there!) with subliminal advertising.

GrannyGravy13 Wed 03-Aug-22 15:33:45

Just ordered DiL the Lego Orchid to go in her Christmas Stocking.

Our Autistic GS finds pleasure in Lego, he has the whole Hogwarts Collection along with the replica sports cars, all pricey especially the cars. He has them on display on shelves in his bedroom, and takes them apart and reassembles when he feels the need.

LittlebrookLyn Wed 03-Aug-22 15:31:11

We buy whatever our granddaughter asks us to buy her, within reason financially of course. She will be 15 this month and she has asked for another saddle pad for the horse she rides every week. As anyone with grandchildren into horse riding will know there are companies constantly bringing out new colours and I think right now the company we buy from has about 27 different colours! I had to laugh at the weekend when she said the horse she is riding at the moment 'suits' the colour Mulberry so she wants tons of stuff in that colour wink

Jef11 Wed 03-Aug-22 15:15:53

As someone who is allergic to flowers, my gorgeous brothers all got me Lego flowers the year they were first released (independently), I now have something to put in the many beautiful vases I have, definitely not plastic tat! ??. My dyspraxic nephew ( and to be honest all my family from 2 to 76) would happily spend hours with Lego. Many if us have it on display.

A "gift" is something you hope the recipient will love, if you know there is something they would be excited to get, I see that as a win for both sides!!

MooM00 Wed 03-Aug-22 14:42:19

Millets 64, I am glad you like Lego. Hope you manage to get the Boutique Hotel. I finished mine and it was lovely to do. It is well worth the money. Hope you enjoy doing it as much as I did.

Georgesgran Wed 03-Aug-22 14:36:49

Nellie54 - just googled the Hogwart’s Castle. It looks amazing - eye wateringly expensive, but money well spent on your DGD.

Sara1954 Wed 03-Aug-22 14:36:03

My son used to be obsessed with Lego, a few years ago I bought him Tower Bridge, and I’m getting a few good ideas for this Christmas, I like the ship in a bottle.

MooM00 Wed 03-Aug-22 14:35:20

Water meadow, LEGO is not tat, I don’t blame your granddaughter for wanting the flowers they are beautiful she can always put them in her own bedroom. I in fact have bought them for myself and done the bouquet, bonsai, cactus, and the orchid. I have done many more, and just finished The Scary Night. I find it very therapeutic and I am 70. Maybe you should watch your granddaughter build it and watch her delight.

GardenofEngland Wed 03-Aug-22 14:33:52

I don't buy them presents anymore. Money for the oldest grandson and Smyths toy voucher for the younger ones. They love going in to the superstore and spending their nanny present until it runs out. Mind you it's bad enough visiting the store to buy the gift card couldn't be doing with the shopping bit! The place is vast with racks of stuff. But they get what they want.

timetogo2016 Wed 03-Aug-22 14:30:09

I only give my G/children £30 each for birthdays and christmas.
They do what they want with it.

annodomini Wed 03-Aug-22 14:26:21

If my DS and partner are buying a 'big' present for one of the boys, I sometimes make a contribution to it. Youngest DGS has a very fancy (ie extravagant) gaming computer to which I may have contributed a joystick!

icanhandthemback Wed 03-Aug-22 14:19:38

When I can't face buying what they want, I give money! This year my daughter asked for really expensive dressing up kits for her 3 year old. I just couldn't justify spending that sort of money on them plus it was more than I was thinking of spending so I gave her £25 towards it and bought a little present for her to open.

Nellie54 Wed 03-Aug-22 13:57:10

Wait until she requests Lego Hogwarts! Result was fantastic and it took my 12 year old 10+ days over Christmas. Cost was **!
Lots of skill needed.

Treetops05 Wed 03-Aug-22 13:42:15

I buy my DGS wooden toys and cars etc., as I don't like buying plastic. My daughter has found that as he grows out of them she can sell them for almost new price, whereas the plastic toys have to be given away.

I used to teach Dyslexic/dyspraxic students and I'm sure while it may take her a bit longer, your Grandaughter while get immense joy and pride from her kit.

kittypaws49 Wed 03-Aug-22 13:25:56

I have one tattoo, Sara1954, and I was surpised how little it hurt. But ear piercing hurts like h**l.

NannaFirework Wed 03-Aug-22 13:15:12

Yes to fun presents of the recipients choice and any Lego is wonderful (in my opinion)!

Gwenisgreat1 Wed 03-Aug-22 13:10:29

I always ask my DDs what their offspring would like, and try to get it for them! Saves wasting money on things they don't want.

Secondwind Wed 03-Aug-22 13:09:11

I bought my adult daughter a Lego Bonsai tree. She loves it and it’s lovely!

PinkCosmos Wed 03-Aug-22 12:49:16

I love the Lego bouquets. I bought myself one a while ago but haven't built it yet.

Lego are doing a lot more sets with adults in mind.

I particularly like the ship in a bottle

Coco51 Wed 03-Aug-22 12:47:03

Surely the recipients’ choice is paramount ? You can’t expect gratitude for buying something that you’d like

Millitt64 Wed 03-Aug-22 12:38:54

I’m in my 60’s and absolutely love doing Lego! Last Christmas my husband bought me the bouquet set and then, a bit later, also bought me extra flowers to add to it - roses, sunflowers and tulips!

This year I’ve already dropped hints that I’d like the Boutique Hotel! At £174 it’s not cheap but will provide many hours of enjoyment!

Sara1954 Wed 03-Aug-22 12:32:00

Last Christmas one of my granddaughters wanted an apple iPad, quite expensive, then the accessories made it very expensive.
I have warned her that it was a once off!

Juicylucy Wed 03-Aug-22 12:29:13

Sorry but why ask them if your going to criticise

SillyNanny321 Wed 03-Aug-22 12:20:29

I buy what is suggested or we club together if something very expensive is wanted by my Granddaughter. My Grandson now 11 years old is a Gamer like his Dad & Nan before him so always wants money to put towards a game he really wants. he saves his money till he has enough so no problems.

arum Wed 03-Aug-22 12:17:06

I usually buy things that one can use. Luckily my DD is not a spendthrift and often buys used toys and clothing. When I visit, I usually observe what is "going on" and make my decision according to that. Living in Germany, English books are always a treat. The latest gift is glass espresso cups and saucers. Instead of a bottle or a sippy cup, the little one has been taught to drink out of a schnapps glass instead of a bottle or a sippy cup. A few weeks ago, we brought a huge cardboard box which has been a huge entertainment. Gifts do not always have to cost the world. Sometimes one has to think "outside the box". I remember when I worked in a supermarket, the poor grandparents came with lists of wishes that their GC could hardly afford.