Last Minute Birthday Pyjamas
Every parent has been there - in fact, anyone over the age of twenty five (apart from the very few who don't know anyone with kids) has been there as well. Kids' birthdays are the easiest thing in the world to forget. Of course, inevitably you will remember at the last possible moment - getting into the car, maybe, to visit relatives of friends whose spontaneous invitation to 'you and your kids' had not hit home. It is at this moment that almost everyone, grasping around for an interesting idea of something to buy and fast, find their imaginations failing them.
So here are three don'ts… er… well, however you plurals 'don't'. Three of those. And a great alternative suggestion.
Firstly, the don't(s). Every other parent or friend will have run themselves into the same predicament that you have - and half of those will rush to the closest toy shop and picked up something that looks vaguely right, and good value. It is incredible how consistent people can be about this, and the chances of you buying the same present as two or three other gift-bearers is higher than you think. In fact, Don't entirely exclude the possibility that little wee so-and-so's parents haven't had to dash to the toy shop as well.
Secondly, the sale. The temptation to pick something off the shelf which is sort of, roughly, maybe not entirely, in the region of – if you remember rightly – the sort of thing this child might like. Oh, and look – you hadn't noticed (had you?), but it seems to be on sale at 50% off the marked price, too. Unless you live far, far away from them and/or have notably different shopping habits, do not be tempted! This is an even more likely way to end up with the same present as everyone else than the first trap.
Finally, avoid desperately dull gifts. Children, believe it or not, are perfectly discerning creatures (one can forget this when one only has fifteen minutes to grab something and thus avoid disaster, shame and the obligation of getting something really expensive next time around). A gift for six year olds will not impress a ten year old. Remember – for our first handful of years, we all used to count our age in months, not years. Step away from the puzzle aisle, be wary of choosing high-minded 'educational' gifts without due thought, and do not even consider looking for fifty pence board games in charity shops.
So, with all these potential errors out of the way, what is a good standby? Here is an original idea: how about a pair of PJs? These are great because there are plenty of superhero, monster or exciting vehicle themed pyjamas for boys and an almost endless array of designer girls pyjamas. Size is relatively easy to get right - because we are talking about sleepwear - and for boys and girls PJs are a safe bet which are also sure not to be immediately ditched. They are personal, fun and genuinely useful. There you go - the ideal fall-back gift sure not to offend, unlikely to be replicated and sure of being worn.
The only problem - if it is a problem - is that you can only use it once per family. And if you start using it on all your friends' children, you might pick up a bit of a bizarre reputation. Perhaps it should be kept for a really special emergency. Or perhaps that's a reputation worth having in exchange to an end to your birthday woes.
So here are three don'ts… er… well, however you plurals 'don't'. Three of those. And a great alternative suggestion.
Firstly, the don't(s). Every other parent or friend will have run themselves into the same predicament that you have - and half of those will rush to the closest toy shop and picked up something that looks vaguely right, and good value. It is incredible how consistent people can be about this, and the chances of you buying the same present as two or three other gift-bearers is higher than you think. In fact, Don't entirely exclude the possibility that little wee so-and-so's parents haven't had to dash to the toy shop as well.
Secondly, the sale. The temptation to pick something off the shelf which is sort of, roughly, maybe not entirely, in the region of – if you remember rightly – the sort of thing this child might like. Oh, and look – you hadn't noticed (had you?), but it seems to be on sale at 50% off the marked price, too. Unless you live far, far away from them and/or have notably different shopping habits, do not be tempted! This is an even more likely way to end up with the same present as everyone else than the first trap.
Finally, avoid desperately dull gifts. Children, believe it or not, are perfectly discerning creatures (one can forget this when one only has fifteen minutes to grab something and thus avoid disaster, shame and the obligation of getting something really expensive next time around). A gift for six year olds will not impress a ten year old. Remember – for our first handful of years, we all used to count our age in months, not years. Step away from the puzzle aisle, be wary of choosing high-minded 'educational' gifts without due thought, and do not even consider looking for fifty pence board games in charity shops.
So, with all these potential errors out of the way, what is a good standby? Here is an original idea: how about a pair of PJs? These are great because there are plenty of superhero, monster or exciting vehicle themed pyjamas for boys and an almost endless array of designer girls pyjamas. Size is relatively easy to get right - because we are talking about sleepwear - and for boys and girls PJs are a safe bet which are also sure not to be immediately ditched. They are personal, fun and genuinely useful. There you go - the ideal fall-back gift sure not to offend, unlikely to be replicated and sure of being worn.
The only problem - if it is a problem - is that you can only use it once per family. And if you start using it on all your friends' children, you might pick up a bit of a bizarre reputation. Perhaps it should be kept for a really special emergency. Or perhaps that's a reputation worth having in exchange to an end to your birthday woes.
