Mom refuses 10-year-old son's Christmas gift request for $300 video game cosmetic item: 'I am not a fan of buying things in video games'

Author image for Brad Dickson
Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Dec 17, 2024 6:00 PM EST

Cosmetic items in games continue to reach new highs—when it comes to pricing—and lows in terms of the actual value you're getting for what you're paying for. Back when we were playing Nintendo 64s, the last thing any of us would have imagined was that one day, we'd be paying for unfinished games and senseless cosmetics. Now, thanks to the rise of updates and downloadable content, even our favorite and storied developers are shipping games that are missing content to be added later as "updates" or DLC.

But it can be a way for those who enjoy a game to show their appreciation and even continue to support the developer of their favorite games—even if the skins are "meaningless" cosmetics that do little to actually change the game. I have games I paid $50 for that I've spent thousands of hours playing, which, comparatively speaking, is a way better deal than the cable TV my parents were paying for monthly in the 1990s.

The problem is that many developers continue to increase prices while offering less, knowing that dedicated player bases and die-hard fans will buy skins for their player models and favorite characters without a second thought—no matter the price. But, arguing that virtual goods have no value because they're "not real" was the same argument that was being made over the 90s and 00s about trading cards, and those who "read the cards right" back then had the last laugh. 

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  • When this mother asked her son what he wanted for Christmas, one of the things he asked for was a new cosmetic item in the popular online game League of Legends—the only problem: the cosmetic item, a “skin” for one of his favorite champions, was a whopping $300. Stunned that anyone would ask for such a thing, and considering it to be such a waste, she turned to this online community to see if she was in the wrong for rejecting her son's Christmas wish.

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    Cheezburger Image 10443243520
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  • 02
    AITA for refusing to buy my son a cosmetic in a video game for $300 Not the A-he So my (40f) son (10m) likes to play a very popular video game. I've never had any issues with it, as he has not had shown any concerns so far. Yesterday he asked me if I could buy him something from the game.
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 03
    Normally I am not a fan of buying things in video games but since Christmas is coming up I was willing to make an exception. I was thinking it would be around $25, maybe $50 at the most and I could deal with that. But no. It was $300!! It was some "skin" or whatever they call it these days. Essentially, to look cool ingame.
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 04
    My issue is not that I cannot afford it, because I easily could. My issue is that he wants something in a video game, something that is essentially useless, for that amount of money. With that much money I could buy something physical that he could actually use.
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 05
    His father (52m) is calling me selfish and unreasonable for not buying this, telling me to lighten up because it's Christmas. We fought over this a lot. (forgot to add: I tried to explain to him calmly that with $300 we could buy him so many bigger and better things. He blew up on me. said the same thing to my son and he seemed to be receptive)
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 06
    He was much more upset than my son was. My son literally could not care less and said it was "chill." And went back to playing like nothing happened. Now if he threw a fit over wanting this "skin" badly I would understand my husbands frustration... but that's not the case here. Seemed he could care less either way. I told him about his reaction but he's still insisting that we buy this thing.
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 07
    Am I in the wrong for not wanting to spend so much money on this "skin" in a literal video game?
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  • 08
    EDIT to address some - comments 1. As many of you guessed, it is the from League of Legends and it's the jinx skin, I think that's what it's called. I searched it up and it is in fact $250, though my son had showed me a picture and told me it was "pretty much $300" His words not mine.
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 09
    2. We are an upper middle class family. We both work jobs with around the same income. We are not crazy rich but live comfortably. We try to be mindful and aware of spending money on non essential items though and I have been trying to teach my son with this value.
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 10
    3. Yes I am married to my husband, but I will not be revealing more information about our relationship in the slightest chance he finds this post. (Edit: NOT for identity concerns, but because he would not appreciate me airing out our personal lives especially since many people saw this post)
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 11
    4. I am sorry if I sounded dismissive of the value video games have. I also played video games when I was a kid so I 100% understand the enjoyment it can bring to people. I am willing to spend a bit, perhaps up to $50 just for one time even if it is for temporary enjoyment, if it makes him happy as a christmas gift. But I just personally think that $300
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 12
    (or now I know it is $250) is a bit much for that. I would be more than happy to spend that amount on money on other games he could play instead of this one thing for this one game.
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 13
    I'm going to talk to him again and tell him that he can choose between this $250 skin or the other (physical) things he wants (which are in total ~$300) and it is his decision in the end. Thank you to those that offered this solution.
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 14
    Final edit: Okay so this post blew up ahaha, I wish I could reply to more comments but there is overwhelmingly a lot.
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  • 15
    So I asked him yesterday and he instantly chose the other gifts over this skin. He told me that he "had no idea what he was thinking at first but now that he thinks about it he doesn't really even want it that much" and it's "wayyyyy too expensive." He's also told me just yesterday he's heard from his friends that this skin might make him a bu ying target (as many of you had also mentioned) even though I have no idea about gaming culture, I'm very sure that's not a good sign and I am glad he is
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 16
    As for the various theories about my husband going on in the comments, I had originally wanted to give my husband the benefit of the doubt but some theories raised my suspicions. I will have a talk with him today. I also learned a lot of helpful info from the comments and I appreciate everyone who had something to share. I will definitely keep this in mind going forward.
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 17
    OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the ah le: I didnt want to buy my son a thing in a video game for three hundred dollars. my husband thinks I'm being unreasonable about this
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 18
    vt2022cam NTA - but your husband sounds unreasonable. Good luck with that. Tell us more about the relationship with your husband and do these type of issue around money come up often?
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  • 19
    Green-Season... NTA. If you're not longer doing Santa, tell him that he's got a choice, multiple gifts or this one skin for Christmas. If he chooses the skin, stick with it. Bet he won't make that choice again watching everyone else open gifts when he gets a skin.
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 20
    Thick-Platypu... With the way your husband reacted, are we sure it isn't secretly for him? You are so NOT the AH.
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 21
    dollkyu NTA imo but I'm trying to think of a single game cosmetic that's $300 (and still available/wasn't for an event). What the h I does he want that's $300? Is it the Brawl Stars skin? Does your husband want a MOBILE GAME skin??? Regardless, it sounds like your husband wants the skin more than your kid but also wants you to be the one responsible/fall guy for the irresponsible purchase.
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 22
    Debaser1990 NTA, I'd say this is a teachable moment about value of money and spending responsibly. It's when people aren't taught these lessons at a young age that they buy things like the $4400 roll of tape by Balenciaga.
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 23
    Debaser1990 NTA, I'd say this is a teachable moment about value of money and spending responsibly. It's when people aren't taught these lessons at a young age that they buy things like the $4400 roll of tape by Balenciaga.
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 24
    CMHChris72 I'm concerned you had to ask this question
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  • 25
    CMHChris72 I'm concerned you had to ask this question
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  • 26
    k 23 year old gen z NTA spending 300$ on a skin is insane and in this economy
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  • 27
    Jurassic ParkF... love video games. My kid loves video games. So we use video game currency to learn good money management, self discipline, and other life skills. $300 on a virtual trinket is insane. Not a chance. NTA
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 28
    blues983 Nta - You could buy 4 or 5 whole video games for that amount! I've never heard of an in game purchase costing so much. Usually they just nickel and dime you.
    via Few-Needleworker7044
  • 29
    Efficient-King... It lowkey sounds like your husband wanted it and told son to ask you so you wouldn't flip on him for wanting something like that does husband play the game too?
    via Few-Needleworker7044

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christmas teens family drama aita teenagers parenting family gaming computer games league of legends
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