Do you still buy birthday gifts for your adult children?
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Anonymous
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I understand during college or what not, they may appreciate cash. At this point my adult son (21) works full time, while finishing up school (which we pay for). He doesn’t really need anything. I’m not even sure what get him or if we should carry on with birthday gifts?
What do you do for your adult kids’ on their birthday? |
Anonymous
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Absolutely! In an ideal world we get together, give a card and present, go out to dinner, home for dessert, do something they want to do on the weekend, etc.
Sometimes they can't come home (or we can't go to them) for their birthday, so we mail their card and gifts, and generally Goldbelly them something they like to eat, and Facetime on the day. |
Anonymous
| Of course! |
Anonymous
| Mine are in their 20s and I definitely give a gift. I am in my 50s and my mom still sends something. |
Anonymous
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Of course! My mom and dad gave us presents until they died. I give my mid-20s kids presents.
It's the thought that counts--you remembered their birthdays. Maybe as they get older they don't need flashy or expensive presents. |
Anonymous
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I think it's important to keep acknowledging birthdays but whether a gift makes sense depends on the person and the family. I often give my DD a small piece of jewelry or a piece of clothing, something around $100. But we have similar taste in jewelry and clothes and I know she doesn't like to spend her money on stuff like that for herself. But if I'm not sure what she might want, I might also take her shopping, or just take her out to a nice lunch and giver her a card with money and a note telling her to get something indulgent and not just put it in savings. Sometimes I'll give her two checks, one for savings and one for something fun, just to make sure she spends it on herself. I think it's nice to remind her that it's okay to treat herself. She's so conscientious, which is wonderful, and a good saver and careful with her money. I was that way too but I sometimes wish I'd gone ahead and treated myself more often. So I try to pay that forward by treating her.
But maybe your son would enjoy an experience, or just a nice meal out, or a gift certificate to a local restaurant where he might take a friend or date. Other ideas: a streaming subscription, thoughtful book purchases, an upgrade on a personal item like a watch or a piece of technology. It just depends on the person, the relationship, and your budget. But yes, you should do something. Just because he's grown doesn't mean he's not family anymore. I assume you still buy a birthday gift for your spouse or your siblings, right? |
Anonymous
Bake a cake, give movie or dinner gift card, knit a sweater, buy a tie, gifts (big or small) make everyone happy. |
Anonymous
| Well, do they give you gifts for yours? |
Anonymous
| My oldest is going to be 24 this month and I’m looking forward to celebrating with dinner out, a cake and a gift. I don’t know when I’ll stop. Growing up we didn’t get birthday gifts but with nieces and nephews I stopped gifting after high school. |
Anonymous
| Of course (kids are in their 20s). My parents still get me a bday present as well. I don't NEED anything either, it's usually something fun - a new pair of earrings, one year we were doing some landscaping and they paid for a tree, etc. |
Anonymous
| Yes |
Anonymous
22:55 here. Yes, they do. Nothing big, usually a book or something small. It’s the thought that counts, acknowledging that the other person’s birthday is something to celebrate. |
Anonymous
| Err my mom still gives me a birthday gift card and I’m 53. Ny DHs parents write him a check and he’s 54. |
Anonymous
This shouldn't matter. |
Anonymous
It shouldn't but its a valid question and me too would like to see answers. |