I seriously rather have something towards future use than some expensive toy. Or something practical. I'm usually happy if someone brings me a box of right size diapers or some formula.

Anonymous wrote:How do you give $$ but direct it to the college fund?

In VA, you can open up a 529 for your niece. Then you also get the benefit of the tax deductions

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH's niece is turning 1 and we want to send something nice. We have money and DH's (much younger) brother and wife do not (they're both underemployed with lots of student loan debt, she from name brand colleges). So what gift would be really nice and appreciated but not obnoxious?

My older, wealthier brother sent us a $1000 check for DD's college fund plus a fun toy which she loves, loves! He's genuinely sweet and kind though, he's not a judgmental bitch like how you seem.

pp and others requesting college fund donations: is this assuming a college fund exists or do you just write out a check to the parents and put "college fund" on the memo line or just the check?

I think I'd put the check in a card with a note that says it is a little seed money for the college fund or whatever they need it for. If they are still paying off their own college debt, I think its safe to assume that college money is on their mind for DC.

Anonymous wrote:A nice deposit into the child's 529.

+ 1 I know it seems yucky to think about cash gifts sometimes, but college is truly the biggest concern for us, even this early. I think it's especially nice at this age because the money has lots of time to grow and the kid is too young to know that Uncle Mike and Aunt Katie gave him boring college money instead of a fun toy.

If you are looking for a nice toy to get, though, a lot of the kids in our neighborhood have various Radio Flyer brand ride on toys that are really nice and that my one year old loves to play with.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH's niece is turning 1 and we want to send something nice. We have money and DH's (much younger) brother and wife do not (they're both underemployed with lots of student loan debt, she from name brand colleges). So what gift would be really nice and appreciated but not obnoxious?

What does your SIL's "name brand colleges" have to do with anything? Is that your way of saying she's in debt by choice?

What's wrong with you? You must be the one that going through all the threads, picking out OP's words, and attacking them without contribute/answer their questions.

In the context of her sentence, "name brand college", i.e. Ivy League, means more debt.

OP, I think a college fund check would be nice.

PBK Anywhere Chair, the full sized one.

How do you give $$ but direct it to the college fund?

Anonymous wrote:DH's niece is turning 1 and we want to send something nice. We have money and DH's (much younger) brother and wife do not (they're both underemployed with lots of student loan debt, she from name brand colleges). So what gift would be really nice and appreciated but not obnoxious?

What does your SIL's "name brand colleges" have to do with anything? Is that your way of saying she's in debt by choice?

My DD loved that chair from PBK. I actually got a knock off chair and just the cover is authentic PBK. She loved it for a few months. I do have to say 7 months later she only sits in it once a week. But at 12-14 months she was most excited about it.

Anonymous wrote:For the parents: college fund
For the kid: kitchen

Exactly what I was going to say. The kitchen will get more long term use than the ride on toy. I also like the idea of experience gifts like a membership to a local zoo or something. If they're lacking in money, they may be lacking in space and might not want a large toy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH's niece is turning 1 and we want to send something nice. We have money and DH's (much younger) brother and wife do not (they're both underemployed with lots of student loan debt, she from name brand colleges). So what gift would be really nice and appreciated but not obnoxious?

My older, wealthier brother sent us a $1000 check for DD's college fund plus a fun toy which she loves, loves! He's genuinely sweet and kind though, he's not a judgmental bitch like how you seem.

pp and others requesting college fund donations: is this assuming a college fund exists or do you just write out a check to the parents and put "college fund" on the memo line or just the check?

My son loved his radio flyer push wagon when he was one- he wasn't walking independently, but would cruise up and down the block for hours, waving at neighbors and picking up sticks, acorns, etc. Well, not hours at one time because we got bored. But he was happy to do it!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002KKCNHQ?pc_redir=1413770759&robot_redir=1

Anonymous wrote:DH's niece is turning 1 and we want to send something nice. We have money and DH's (much younger) brother and wife do not (they're both underemployed with lots of student loan debt, she from name brand colleges). So what gift would be really nice and appreciated but not obnoxious?

My older, wealthier brother sent us a $1000 check for DD's college fund plus a fun toy which she loves, loves! He's genuinely sweet and kind though, he's not a judgmental bitch like how you seem.

PBK table and chair set that will last for years.

A kitchen - although I bought an awesome used one for $30
PBK personalized chair
Water/sand table
Toddler swing set/slide/playhouse