birthday wish list

[Anonymous]

My sister-in-law sent an email to the family that started out something like, "As you know, [9yo nephew's] birthday is coming up and here is his wish list." The first item on the list was two $200 iTunes gift cards. (The rest of the list consisted of two video games, a movie, a professional sports team outfit).

This just really turned me off, and I am wondering if others feel the same or if I'm just being a sourpuss. It turns me off that she sent a list in the first place. It also turns me off that one of the items on the list totaled $400. I don't even spend that much on my own children. If my nephew is actually wishing to receive two $400 gift cards, of course that's fine -- he can wish for whatever he wants. But if I were his mother, I wouldn't transmit that wish to the rest of the family. I'd probably try to explain to my son that it's a lot to ask. Maybe a $20 gift card, but not two $400 cards.

[Anonymous]

Tacky as hell. Buy him a book. Nothing from the list. Ugh.

[Anonymous]

How could a 9-year-old spend $400 in iTunes anyway?

[Anonymous]

Gross - send a book.

[Anonymous]

I think your SIL is 100% tacky.

That being said, my family has successfully done Amazon wishlists for years. We put things on there we truly want. Most things are under $50 (all of mine are). My in laws and family sometimes buy the item directly from amazon, sometimes they use it to see what I'm interested in. Either way, they love and demand the wishlists.

I hate making my wishlist, but I remember how much I like purchasing gifts off of my SIL and in-laws wishlists and how helpful it was. The goal, after all, is a happy birthday for the recipient.

[Anonymous]

Send him a $20 iTunes card with a note to SIL saying, "I know $200 must have been a typo because who in their right mind would think that's appropriate for a 9 year old kid."

[Anonymous]

Very tacky. I would get him the movie off the list

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Send him a $20 iTunes card with a note to SIL saying, "I know $200 must have been a typo because who in their right mind would think that's appropriate for a 9 year old kid."

::buzzer sound::

The first rule of playing innocent is to play it well. You don't do what you want and throw in a jab at whoever has offended you. You send the $20 card and say nothing. Why would you? You didn't even read it as "$200" because no one would ask that. You don't point it out because you don't want your SIL to feel bad about a typo.

If she brings it up, you look surprised and say "Really?! I must have misread the list. Although honestly, I wouldn't have gotten a child a $200 birthday present. Maybe that's why I misread it? Anyway, I hope he liked the present, and I hope he had a great birthday."

Similarly, if you get a book instead, you don't say, "Here's all you deserve, you grasping little brat!" You just say that you liked it when you were a kid or your kids liked it or it came highly recommended. If the list comes up, you say, "I guess I should have thanked you for the suggestions. They looked like fun things to have."

[Anonymous]

I don't mind amazon wish lists for family. The woman who sends me one for her daughter's birthday randomly by text? Yeah, she can kiss my ass

[Anonymous]

OP here. I am glad to know that others seem to agree that it was very tacky to send a list, and one with such expensive items on it. I am planning to get him one of the less expensive items on the list (probably the movie).
It just blows my mind that she sent the list, and that it included two $200 gift cards. I have been shaking my head about this all day.

[Anonymous]

Wow. That's pretty nervy. $200 for a nephew's birthday gift?? Are they multimillionaires who are completely out of touch with the common man? Or is she deluded and grasping?

$20 gift card (do 9-year-olds really download music from iTunes?).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow. That's pretty nervy. $200 for a nephew's birthday gift?? Are they multimillionaires who are completely out of touch with the common man? Or is she deluded and grasping?

$20 gift card (do 9-year-olds really download music from iTunes?).

I'm guessing the kid has an iPad and wants to buy games--I think iTunes gift cards can be used at the app store. However, I agree with everyone else that $200 is delusional.

[Anonymous]

I keep Amazon lists for the kids, and always make sure there is a wide range of prices. Plenty of under $10 items. Years ago, when they were little, we started doing this as requested by family.

If someone asks if we have the list, I tell them. If someone asks for direction I tell her there is a list which should give her an idea of current interests and age appropriate options but that the list is by no means necessary to follow. People like my mother and sister check it frequently and don't buy anything unless its on the list. I think I told my MIL about it in the beginning, but I never remind her its there.

Mostly, the list is there for me. Throughout the year I add things my kids mention wanting/liking. And when a holiday or birthday comes I already have some ideas to work with.