Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not give cash. If you gave us cash, it would go to the college fund. My kid has no reason to have cash.

I would do a $15 gift card and a generic birthday card. We do generic birthday cards (just get a pack) and generic wrapping paper (cheaper than a bad in less you are recycling one).

You really do this with a kids bday money from friends???

Please tell your kids to casually let all his friends know the next time he has a party so they can pass that tidbit to their parents. If I am giving a kid a token $20 for a birthday gift I want it to specifically go for something fun of the kid's choosing.

Of course I do. It is a gift and you should not dictate what is done with a gift. My kid chooses plenty and constantly gets stuff. I am more concerned about his future and being debt free. My son knows better than to ask for gifts and demand what he gets. That is tacky.

We use these generic cards http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0071EX3IO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage) saves a ton of trips to CVS.

DS is still in K so we buy gifts but I get where you are coming from. I started doing GCs to amazon for my older nieces and nephews. Just makes like easier for everyone.

I don't think GC or cash are thoughtless. I think it is an acknowledgement that kids don't usually have the freedom to buy what they want. Kids love having purchasing power.

I was invited very last minute to a colleagues kid's bday (well me and my son). I ended up giving a 4 year old a gift card. I apologized to the father but her said he son loved having his own credit card.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not give cash. If you gave us cash, it would go to the college fund. My kid has no reason to have cash.

I would do a $15 gift card and a generic birthday card. We do generic birthday cards (just get a pack) and generic wrapping paper (cheaper than a bad in less you are recycling one).

This is a serious question - if your child has no reason to have cash, then what's the reason for them to have a gift card?

I usually buy gifts. But if it comes down to money or gift card, I was always taught gift card. Only for older kids do I give gift cards and usually for girls for clothing. I usually buy for my kid in advanced on sale and clearance. My kid has the next years worth of clothing new and a stash of new toys for when we feel that he should have one. He's easy. For his friend, I will usually get something based on the theme of the party.

Anonymous wrote:I would not give cash. If you gave us cash, it would go to the college fund. My kid has no reason to have cash.

I would do a $15 gift card and a generic birthday card. We do generic birthday cards (just get a pack) and generic wrapping paper (cheaper than a bad in less you are recycling one).

You really do this with a kids bday money from friends???

Please tell your kids to casually let all his friends know the next time he has a party so they can pass that tidbit to their parents. If I am giving a kid a token $20 for a birthday gift I want it to specifically go for something fun of the kid's choosing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not give cash. If you gave us cash, it would go to the college fund. My kid has no reason to have cash.

I would do a $15 gift card and a generic birthday card. We do generic birthday cards (just get a pack) and generic wrapping paper (cheaper than a bad in less you are recycling one).

This is a serious question - if your child has no reason to have cash, then what's the reason for them to have a gift card?

+1. Half of the time my kid gets cash, he takes it to the bank to deposit it into his own kids savings account. He's saving up for an xbox, so cash gifts are great.

All goes in. Dad has an Xbox and kids havelenty of games.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not give cash. If you gave us cash, it would go to the college fund. My kid has no reason to have cash.

I would do a $15 gift card and a generic birthday card. We do generic birthday cards (just get a pack) and generic wrapping paper (cheaper than a bad in less you are recycling one).

Cash automatically goes to the college fund, even from a friend for his birthday?

Is there nothing your dc would like to buy for themselves or are they not allowed to?

Everything goes in the college funds. If it is a small amount we usually double or triple it. My kids get plenty and then some. They know college is an expectation and their money gets saved as well as ours. My parents did that for us and taught us to be responsible with money. They paid for everything we needed through grad school.

I think it's fine. I would love that because then I could guilt free give your kid the exact same gift back. No fuss or shopping for either of us. Win-win! But at the very least, you know it certainly will not go to waste!

My son would love it!!

Anonymous wrote:I would not give cash. If you gave us cash, it would go to the college fund. My kid has no reason to have cash.

I would do a $15 gift card and a generic birthday card. We do generic birthday cards (just get a pack) and generic wrapping paper (cheaper than a bad in less you are recycling one).

Cash automatically goes to the college fund, even from a friend for his birthday?

Is there nothing your dc would like to buy for themselves or are they not allowed to?

I think it's fantastic! Cash or a gift card. Way to go for that age group.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not give cash. If you gave us cash, it would go to the college fund. My kid has no reason to have cash.

I would do a $15 gift card and a generic birthday card. We do generic birthday cards (just get a pack) and generic wrapping paper (cheaper than a bad in less you are recycling one).

This is a serious question - if your child has no reason to have cash, then what's the reason for them to have a gift card?

+1. Half of the time my kid gets cash, he takes it to the bank to deposit it into his own kids savings account. He's saving up for an xbox, so cash gifts are great.

Anonymous wrote:I would not give cash. If you gave us cash, it would go to the college fund. My kid has no reason to have cash.

I would do a $15 gift card and a generic birthday card. We do generic birthday cards (just get a pack) and generic wrapping paper (cheaper than a bad in less you are recycling one).

This is a serious question - if your child has no reason to have cash, then what's the reason for them to have a gift card?

I would not give cash. If you gave us cash, it would go to the college fund. My kid has no reason to have cash.

I would do a $15 gift card and a generic birthday card. We do generic birthday cards (just get a pack) and generic wrapping paper (cheaper than a bad in less you are recycling one).

Cash is awesome - we only wanted cash for our wedding presents that was genius. Maybe it was more acceptable since we got married in my hometown which was out of state but we scored so big I'm not sure why people don't do it more often I mean really - the end totally justifies the means here. Why wouldn't you want someone to be as happy as possible with your gift which is them picking out what that is!

Sing it sister.