Please stop asking for “experiences” over gifts for your kids!
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Anonymous
This is a common sense way to go. One you and the rest an investment in the child. |
Anonymous
These are great ideas, but let’s be honest.. the money or gift card goes into the parent’s wallet. The kid will never associate the “experience” with who paid for it. They see you, pulling money out of your wallet. They also don’t associate a zoo trip in June to Christmas. Even my not quite 3 year old can tell you who got her what toy. I also bet more toys would be played with more than twice, if parents weren’t so obsessed with KonMari-ing their children’s lives. They’re not going to play with something stuck in a closet for 6 months at a time. |
Anonymous
Our family will typically participate in the experiences they give as gifts. So the auntie takes the kid to get ice cream. If it's a gift card then we make it really clear that it's a treat from X. This really isn't that hard... |
Anonymous
My kids know who gave them gift certificates or paid for experiences. Not everyone here is brimming with money and the GC to Panera means my kids go to Panera vs. not. They love Panera so it's really a treat for them, not some scheme of mine to make money for myself. |
Anonymous
+1 Buy these experiences yourself parents! I do for my kid. |
Anonymous
| When someone criticizes *what* they are given, or *how* the gift is given --- they are scum. They are the tackiest, scummiest person ever. Ungrateful scum. |
Anonymous
Tacky to demand cash. My son likes getting clothing. |
Anonymous
My mom put all money away. My son does not care about gift cards and rather get a gift. We have several unused. |
Anonymous
I am yet to see a little kid who does not like a new toy they don't know. It only can happen to a kid who never can play with a parent but parent just throw a toy at them and want them to self entertain at a little age. Otherwise, every toy is a learning experience and potential to imagination growth. If you will get down to the kid's level and explore the toy together, play and use it in imaginative way, you are taking an opportunity to bond with the child, to expand their imagination and create beyond obvious. The parents who are dismissive about the toys are either childhood depraved themselves, were not allowed or frown upon when they were playing with toys or are never engaging in the actual play with kids so they don't appreciate the possibilities that the toys - which actually are tools of childhood. If a little child is boarded with a new toy that means also something. It means that either you never show a child how to explore and dream or a child has developmental issues, most likely taking after a parent who also had them because they never learned to explore their toys. The thing about experiences is - they are also important, very important. But they are far in-between comparing to toys that are right there within child's reach. Asking people to found your experiences is kind of out of line because you should be founding them accordingly. People need easy tasks because they are busy and need not someone complicating their lives over their laziness. If you frawn upon child's play and toys then you are missing a lot of wisdom. It is like you are throwing out a dinner and you just want kid to eat cake all the time. Experiences are very highly demanding on the senses, need lots of processing and, too much too often also is just overdoing it. Kid will grow tired, board and burn down, next time you will say "let's go to.." he will be turned off and all tired.. yep. There is your experience overload to you. Playing with toys is not stupid thing, playing is smart thing to do, and here is your proof: 
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Anonymous
Here is toy= experiences in one OP..:
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Anonymous
I know it’s hard to accept that they aren’t little anymore, MIL. You don’t have to give them cash but you asked for gifts they actually want. We understand you think boys look adorable in button downed plaid shirts, a sweater and khakis but DS isn’t wearing them. He says thanks and they stay in the closet. You tell him the girls would be impressed if he wears this to school but it’s not really in style. Again, it’s a nice thought and we appreciate your effort but you asked for what they want and it really is gift cards to go out with their friends. You can continue to pick out presents but don’t be offended when they are not used or worn. |
Anonymous
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I am a grandmother on a very limited budget. I just got my granddaughter (age 1 1/2) a baby puzzle that features counting, a stuffed animal and a set of five Matchbox cars (she does love little cars), all from 5 Below. I couldn't care less if anybody doesn't like it. I wanted to get her something, couldn't really afford anything more expensive, so that's it. Merry Christmas!
And BTW, she lives a few hours away so "experience" presents wouldn't exactly work, maybe when she's a little older I can take her somewhere or whatever. How about be grateful for whatever your kid gets and teach them that same concept. |
Anonymous
I would love that or any clothing as a gift. My child gets gifted nice clothing. I appreciate it. Every so often he needs it. And, mine are not wearing athletic clothing every day. How can your son not need khakis a few times a year? |
Anonymous
You sound like my MIL. We always appreciated the thought. Mine was happy even with one car. |
Anonymous
All those chemicals from the plastic crap are in our bodies. |