I’m thinking of buy a Lego set as an Xmas gift for a niece, but it’s quite expensive. Should I let the parents know first?

Posted by mvision2021@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 17 comments

The reason is because this gift would be more expensive than previous ones and is is usually more than what her parents would usually get her for Xmas. Should I get approval from the parents first or it’s okay to go ahead with it? The Lego set is £350. The niece is 13 years old.

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17 Comments

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Puzzleheaded_Drink76@reddit

What's the reason for this specific set? A theme she loves? A shared interest?

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mvision2021@reddit (OP)

She likes Lego and Disney, so thought she would like this. She owns other Disney and Lego toys already.

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biscuitsandbooks@reddit

Isn’t she a bit old for something like that? I mean it’s a great gift but teenagers can be awkward to buy for and may not like a ‘childish’ gift

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mvision2021@reddit (OP)

It’s a valid point. She owns some Lego from recent birthdays/Xmas so she likes them as gifts, but will have to take the current age into account

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RottingPony@reddit

Yeah, 100% hit them up to ask first.

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mvision2021@reddit (OP)

[Disney Castle 2023](https://www.lego.com/en-gb/product/disney-castle-43222)

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KaleidoscopeOk7469@reddit

That looks amazing! Lucky niece! Yes I'd definitely check with parents. I wanted to get my niece quite an expensive advent calendar one year and ran it by my SIL first

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RottingPony@reddit

This is dope, probably make sure they've got the win for it too (I know I don't!)

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Useful_Engineer_6122@reddit

Talk it over with the parents - for me, that's an extra 'do well in your exams this year and you can have...' level of gift, not just standard Santa stuff.

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Rasty_lv@reddit

I would talk with parents. Maybe even let them in on it, let them pay for part of it and give as massive joint gift. We did something like that for my son. My mom and wifes parents all chipped in for my sons bycicle. We also got some smaller gifts from us, but biggest was from all of us together. And it was actually split even + resell of my sons old bike.

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dukeliminal@reddit

Personally, I don’t think it’s “cricket” to potentially outshine the parents presents. No matter how well intentioned.

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Full_Traffic_3148@reddit

I don't see it this way at all. I see it as my child benefitting from a very generous gift they may otherwise wouldn't receive.

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DameKumquat@reddit

Depends how much it happens and if the aunt/uncle is buying stuff that the parents were planning to give. It's infuriating when you save up to get something special for your kid, then Aunt comes and drops the item on just a random day. Apart from anything else, we don't have room for that many toys. Especially when it's done in a 'im a better parental figure than you are' manner.

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Full_Traffic_3148@reddit

Well, it's not a typical 13yo girl's present, so unlikely to be asked for and being bought by the parents,especially given that it's 5 months away and they've probably not even considered Christmas yet! Anyone who thinks more expensive gift equals better parental figure has significant issues that they alone, need to address! Special saved up for gifts can be given by many members to a child! Some years, my parents have been incredibly financially generous to my child, in ways I never would have been able to at that time. Did my child appreciate their present? Absolutely. Did they appreciate my presents? Absolutely. If it's the right present, the price tag is absolutely irrelevant. The old adage it's the thought that counts, showing out, if as parents you have raised your child well!

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PeggyNoNotThatOne@reddit

Whatever the present, it's always a good idea to sound out the parents first.

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BeesInATeacup@reddit

I would probably run it by them, maybe offer for them to chip in.

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One-eyed-bed-snake@reddit

I thought this was going to be £50 or something when I read the title. But yeah, I could see why a £350 gift might upset their parents, especially if they might not be able to afford those kind of gifts. I'd definitely mention it to them and respect their answer.