The Dressing Table

[Bizzy Lizzy]

I've not been back five minutes and already I need some urgent help and advice concerning my GD1's forthcoming birthday present. She will be nine in a couple of weeks and I have just had an email from her mother (my DiL) and some of you may remember that we have a very rocky relationship already. She says that GD1 wants a new dressing table and she thought we could all contribute (the email went to all family members that usually buy a present) to the cost of one that DiL had seen in a local shop. The idea of a nine year old getting a piece of furniture (however pretty) for her birthday fills me with horror and also I feel that I want to hand her a parcel for her to open on the day with something we have chosen for her specially. The dressing table in question is "up-cycled" apparently which means it is old and has been repainted in a pretty colour. I feel we are being asked o furnish the house rather than get someone nice for our GD. How do I handle this without upsetting my DiL yet again. Things were going quite well recently I though. Oh Dear!

[Clover]

I can see your point BL but children have so much these days that perhaps this is something different your GD really wants. To avoid rocking the boat I would contribute to the dressing table but also buy a present to unwrap. It needn't be expensive as children don't generally think of how much you've spent but just enjoy the gift.That way you will have pleased both parties. Who knows,perhaps the others who received the E-mail will do similar. I'd hate to think of the little girl having no exciting parcels to unwrap.

[Gemini]

BL, I agree, it seems a present for the house, rather than for your grandddaughter.
However, talking to a young mum in the run up to Christmas, she told me her daughter, aged 7, asked for a dressing table ( it must be the fashion!) and a day bed. The mum had to Google day bed to see what it was!
So, although we find it an unusual gift for a child, maybe it isn't!

I think Clover's idea is a good one. Go with the flow and contribute to the dressing table, and buy a small gift for your GD to open.

[Jane Jackson]

I agree with Clover, not worth the consequence, so give a little towards the dressing table and buy a small personal present for her.

[Plantaholic]

I agree with the others, contribute to the dressing table and a little personal present

[Daisy]

BL - I agree with everyone else, too. It's not worth rocking the boat and if your GD has a little present to open from you as well she will be doubly pleased.

btw - my GS1 (asged 12) asked for a new chair for his computer desk for his birthday last year. He was thrilled to bits with it.

[Plantaholic]

I am asked for bits of bike from my youngest GS. He loves building bikes, sometimes it might be handlebars or gears, of course he orders it and I give him the money. They are all of an age now to ask what they would like.

[Nanto2girls]

I would contribute to the dressing table, but get another little present as well. The dressing table may make her feel more grown up, even though she will only be nine.
Times have changed snice our children were nine.
Our youngest granddaughter (13) asked for a nutribullet smoothie maker for Christmas, and she uses nearly every day.

[Glammanana]

I would also keep the relations with your DIL on an even keel and contribute towards the dressing table if DGD has requested this as a present and give a personal present as well as,maybe a cute photo frame she could display on the table with one of her favourite pictures or a nice little container for all her special bits and bobs,my eldest DGD asked for rattan storage boxes for her last birthday to go on top of her wardrobe we also bought her a cute little bracelet for her to open on the day.

[Bizzy Lizzy]

Thanks for all the sensible advice. I now realise that this is not as odd as it first sounded when I got the email. DH said to just give the money and don't rock the boat too but he is a bloke and tends to give this sort of answer to most questions :-) Getting it from GRU carries more weight somehow.

[Daisy]

BL - Today's generation of children seem much more aware of their home and things like furnishings than we were! I love Glamm's idea of a photo frame or a pretty container. I'm sure your GD will love whatever you choose.

[Avo]

It's all been said above, and I can add nothing more! Maybe the extra gift could be a little dressing table hairbrush and mirror set or something similar?

[Bizzy Lizzy]

I think the idea of a little girlie present to place on said Dressing Table sounds like a good idea. I will look out for something suitable. Obviously girls today are more sophisticate than I give them credit for. My judgement is not helped by the fact that I only had two sons so my knowledge of female children is non-existent really. Her other Grandma who had two daughters does far better than I do.

[Nana]

I'd give her what she's asking for too. The other year we got GS a child's laptop type thing, thinking he'd like playing games etc. His mum said he liked it when he opened it but the games were costly so it was put to one side. Now I just ask what he wants. The piece of furniture she's asking for is maybe something her parents see as a non-essential in their budget. Hope she enjoys it.