Would you rather have a gift from the dollar store or no gift at all?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing at all. I feel so BAD when someone wastes their money on something I do not like/want.

It's different for kids though, you can get stickers or bubbles or something they'd really like for a few bucks.

+1 I hate throwing it away, but I don't want to store it either.

[Anonymous]

No gift at all. I'm poor while still being snooty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a beloved elderly relative who is on a low, fixed income. When we visit her, we bring practical gifts such as food, and often times a card with some cash. I know she is very grateful, but I also know that after years being the caretaker in the family, it would be very hard for her to accept these things without repaying the favor in some way, so every time we visit she's got a little something for each of us. I might get a sample sized hand cream, or a pretty dollar store bookmark. She's in section 8 housing for the elderly, and sometimes they get gifts from various organizations (e.g. a church might distribute little gift baskets at Easter) and she saves them to distribute throughout the year. My son might get a candy bar, or a pen, or another small item.

Being able to give and not just receive is very important to her, and I'm glad she's able to do it. In this case, even though I don't always find a use for the items I'm glad she can do it because it makes her happy.

Similarly, my child has received dollar store gifts as birthday presents from friends at his title 1 school. While he doesn't need the items, I know that it would be hard for a child to arrive empty handed. It also lets us give the child something on their birthday, without feeling like it's "charity".

I LOVE this story. Your relative sounds lovely and you both understand the true gift of giving.

[Anonymous]

How would you know they bought it at the dollar store? Are they making a point of showing you how little they think of you, or are they sincerely giving you something they think you might like?

There are some nice things at the dollar store, BTW. Plus a lot of junk not worth a dollar....

[Anonymous]

More junk, please.

[Anonymous]

Vote dollar store!

When we were both in grad school my now-wife and I were both living on $9k a year. For birthdays and holidays we would each take $5 to the dollar store, get 5 gifts, and wrap them up like they were from Macys.

I still remember walking slowly up and down the aisles, examining every single thing. Makes me smile.

[Anonymous]

It all depends on the circumstances.

For example, if someone were truly down & out financially and were living on practically nothing, yet sacrificed a dollar which I knew they REALLY needed to buy me a gift, I would be touched by the thought and the sacrifice the person made for me.

However there are some people who are just plain CHEAP. Those that can afford better, yet their priorities are just out of whack. If I know someone has the means to afford something nicer than a dollar store item, yet won't give me anything better than I know my worth to that person and where I stand in that person's life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It all depends on the circumstances.

For example, if someone were truly down & out financially and were living on practically nothing, yet sacrificed a dollar which I knew they REALLY needed to buy me a gift, I would be touched by the thought and the sacrifice the person made for me.

However there are some people who are just plain CHEAP. Those that can afford better, yet their priorities are just out of whack. If I know someone has the means to afford something nicer than a dollar store item, yet won't give me anything better than I know my worth to that person and where I stand in that person's life.

+1 When it costs less than a cup of coffee, and I don't need another piece of plastic.