According to beauty brand DCPHER, 7 in 10 people have received a Christmas gift they didn’t like.A mother explains why her kids get exactly what they want
There’s no chance that the Julia Bourmier kids will be disappointed when they open their presents on Christmas morning.
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She sent detailed wish lists to family, friends, and of course Santa, with specific items that Jack, 6-year-old and 4-year-old Freya would love.
From drum kits and DJ sets to soccer strips, Julia, 40, avoids surprises and makes sure kids get what they really want.
Her mother is so obsessed with the idea that she launched the website littlewishlist.com in 2019 to help others and then made a career out of it.
Julia, who lives in Weybridge, Surrey with her husband Rick, 42, a travel journalist, said: They even ask me for it.
“No one wants a cupboard full of unused toys.
“And no parent wants to see their child cry because the gift they wanted isn’t under the tree.
“Since August, I’ve been writing down everything Jack and Freya have mentioned on my phone, and I’ve picked 10 to 15 specific things to send to our family.
“They were talking about a toy they saw on TV and I said, ‘Okay, let’s add it to the list.
‘Waste of money’
“There’s a drum kit there, a head torch to use when camping, and Jack really wants the first football strip his uncle gets for him.
“Sending lists means kids get what they want and nothing is left unfinished. It’s a waste of money.
“And what parent would want their child to get an adult-sized stuffed animal when they don’t have a place to store it?
“Jack and Freya still write and send letters to Santa.
Julia saw how gift lists worked for her 2014 wedding and decided to do the same for Jack when he turned 3 and started nursery.
she said:
“I didn’t have a lot of money and wanted to take Jack to a baby massage class and book a photo shoot with the new baby.
“In hindsight, I wish my family and friends had said ’20 pounds.'” .
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“If you’re saying don’t spend more than £5 or £10 on gifts, you’re limited to plastic tuts. Play with them once and they’ll break.” If you do, it will spend between £5 and £15 per person, so doesn’t it make sense to club together and buy the kids what they want?
“In messages, I reply with ‘Here’s a small list of ideas,’ but I only send suggestions when asked. I felt more comfortable doing that. Price combinations too. It is recommended.”
For Freya’s fourth birthday, Julia added a £30 used bike she bought on Facebook Marketplace and an Incredible Hulk toy to her list. she said:
“Sending out the list also means that the children are not given duplicates. I was.
“Nobody ever said they didn’t like it, but I can pretty much understand how they would feel if they bought something that wasn’t on their list.
“The children’s grandparents have been clubbing for years to buy children’s scooters and use them to get to school.
“They cost £60 and are an expensive gift for one set of grandparents to buy, so splitting them up made them much more affordable. Less double ups and the kids’ reaction to the presents is great.” If Jack really wants something and it’s from his best friend, he’ll love it.
“But it’s not just about material gifts. When a parent asked me what Jack wanted for his most recent birthday, I suggested that instead of buying him a present, I could invite him to play.
“He loved it as much or more than any other gift.”
Julia affirms that lists don’t ruin the surprise or take away from the fun of gift-buying. she said: But on the flip side, I’m a toy store parent and don’t want to spend £15 or £20 on a toy my child already has or doesn’t like.
“Lego is a classic example. ”
Her website allows others to do the same. she said:
“If you have a baby, you can get someone to make some lasagna for the freezer or help walk the dog.” It’s much better to use what you have wisely.