Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My children would love a $5 or even a $10 GC to 7-11. They could buy so many slushees. That would be an awesome present. But no, more junk from Amazon is coming that they will never look at. It doesn’t have to be an expensive experience. We never go to 7-11 and they think it’s the best place ever with that slushee machine.

I’d rather have plastic crap then putting that crap in your kids bodies.

All those chemicals from the plastic crap are in our bodies.

Anonymous wrote: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.

You sound like my MIL. We always appreciated the thought. Mine was happy even with one car.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My children would love a $5 or even a $10 GC to 7-11. They could buy so many slushees. That would be an awesome present. But no, more junk from Amazon is coming that they will never look at. It doesn’t have to be an expensive experience. We never go to 7-11 and they think it’s the best place ever with that slushee machine.

So why don’t you get that for them instead of whatever you were going to get. Problem solved.

Can’t believe all the entitled asses on this thread. Wonder how they’ll feel if their well-meaning gifts to their grandkids are trashed by the parents in a few years.

Hi Mom and MIL! You have found DCUM! I’ve delicately explained this to you many times. The kids are older and go out with their friends. The 7-11 GC or even a VISA GC would be perfect and easy for you to get. They would appreciate and use it. They are too old for the craft kits, legos, STEM kits etc. We donate them. They still appreciate the gifts you give but they are older now. Please try to get to know them. DS even has a girl friend. Stay away from buying them clothes. I can’t even keep up with the latest styles and they pick out their own. We are far away from superheroes and princesses.

Tacky to demand cash. My son likes getting clothing.

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.

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?

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 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My children would love a $5 or even a $10 GC to 7-11. They could buy so many slushees. That would be an awesome present. But no, more junk from Amazon is coming that they will never look at. It doesn’t have to be an expensive experience. We never go to 7-11 and they think it’s the best place ever with that slushee machine.

So why don’t you get that for them instead of whatever you were going to get. Problem solved.

Can’t believe all the entitled asses on this thread. Wonder how they’ll feel if their well-meaning gifts to their grandkids are trashed by the parents in a few years.

Hi Mom and MIL! You have found DCUM! I’ve delicately explained this to you many times. The kids are older and go out with their friends. The 7-11 GC or even a VISA GC would be perfect and easy for you to get. They would appreciate and use it. They are too old for the craft kits, legos, STEM kits etc. We donate them. They still appreciate the gifts you give but they are older now. Please try to get to know them. DS even has a girl friend. Stay away from buying them clothes. I can’t even keep up with the latest styles and they pick out their own. We are far away from superheroes and princesses.

Tacky to demand cash. My son likes getting clothing.

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.

Here is toy= experiences in one OP..:

Anonymous wrote:Are you my mother or MIL who insist on littering my house with more crap so you get an ego boost on birthdays and holidays?

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:

Anonymous wrote:I’m fine for people to give gift cards (or toys or experiences or nothing). But my kid doesn’t spend gift cards. He has amazon gift cards from his birthday over a year ago (he’s 10). He doesn’t ask for much and doesn’t like to spend “his” money on anything, so he just saves them.

As a kid, my grandparents gave us money every year. While there were toys I would have enjoyed, I hated spending money. So I deposited the check into my savings account every single year.

My mom put all money away.

My son does not care about gift cards and rather get a gift. We have several unused.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My children would love a $5 or even a $10 GC to 7-11. They could buy so many slushees. That would be an awesome present. But no, more junk from Amazon is coming that they will never look at. It doesn’t have to be an expensive experience. We never go to 7-11 and they think it’s the best place ever with that slushee machine.

So why don’t you get that for them instead of whatever you were going to get. Problem solved.

Can’t believe all the entitled asses on this thread. Wonder how they’ll feel if their well-meaning gifts to their grandkids are trashed by the parents in a few years.

Hi Mom and MIL! You have found DCUM! I’ve delicately explained this to you many times. The kids are older and go out with their friends. The 7-11 GC or even a VISA GC would be perfect and easy for you to get. They would appreciate and use it. They are too old for the craft kits, legos, STEM kits etc. We donate them. They still appreciate the gifts you give but they are older now. Please try to get to know them. DS even has a girl friend. Stay away from buying them clothes. I can’t even keep up with the latest styles and they pick out their own. We are far away from superheroes and princesses.

Tacky to demand cash. My son likes getting clothing.

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 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think experiences are the way to go. It’s not terribly expensive - a nice toy costs $80-$90 anyway.

Maybe grandparents are willing to spend that much on your kids but with so many nieces and nephews I’m looking at $25-$30 per kid max. Less if I can find a good deal on a cool toy.

$25 gift card to play place. Mom can tell them Aunt Larla is treating us to this outing!

$25 gift card to craft store. Craft supplies are consumable and the kids can pick out something to make.

$25 gift card to rec center. Can be put toward a fun class.

$25 gift card for putt putt, laser tag, the list goes on ... hopefully you know what your nieces and nephews are into.

We were just able to get 2 tickets to Monster Jam (for DH and DS) on sale for about $40, which is a little over your budget, but maybe do-able in a year you splurge more.

Or you can spend that on a toy that plenty of parents are saying will be played with twice and donated or stagnate in a closet.

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.

+1

Buy these experiences yourself parents! I do for my kid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think experiences are the way to go. It’s not terribly expensive - a nice toy costs $80-$90 anyway.

Maybe grandparents are willing to spend that much on your kids but with so many nieces and nephews I’m looking at $25-$30 per kid max. Less if I can find a good deal on a cool toy.

$25 gift card to play place. Mom can tell them Aunt Larla is treating us to this outing!

$25 gift card to craft store. Craft supplies are consumable and the kids can pick out something to make.

$25 gift card to rec center. Can be put toward a fun class.

$25 gift card for putt putt, laser tag, the list goes on ... hopefully you know what your nieces and nephews are into.

We were just able to get 2 tickets to Monster Jam (for DH and DS) on sale for about $40, which is a little over your budget, but maybe do-able in a year you splurge more.

Or you can spend that on a toy that plenty of parents are saying will be played with twice and donated or stagnate in a closet.

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.

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 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think experiences are the way to go. It’s not terribly expensive - a nice toy costs $80-$90 anyway.

Maybe grandparents are willing to spend that much on your kids but with so many nieces and nephews I’m looking at $25-$30 per kid max. Less if I can find a good deal on a cool toy.

$25 gift card to play place. Mom can tell them Aunt Larla is treating us to this outing!

$25 gift card to craft store. Craft supplies are consumable and the kids can pick out something to make.

$25 gift card to rec center. Can be put toward a fun class.

$25 gift card for putt putt, laser tag, the list goes on ... hopefully you know what your nieces and nephews are into.

We were just able to get 2 tickets to Monster Jam (for DH and DS) on sale for about $40, which is a little over your budget, but maybe do-able in a year you splurge more.

Or you can spend that on a toy that plenty of parents are saying will be played with twice and donated or stagnate in a closet.

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.

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 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think experiences are the way to go. It’s not terribly expensive - a nice toy costs $80-$90 anyway.

Maybe grandparents are willing to spend that much on your kids but with so many nieces and nephews I’m looking at $25-$30 per kid max. Less if I can find a good deal on a cool toy.

$25 gift card to play place. Mom can tell them Aunt Larla is treating us to this outing!

$25 gift card to craft store. Craft supplies are consumable and the kids can pick out something to make.

$25 gift card to rec center. Can be put toward a fun class.

$25 gift card for putt putt, laser tag, the list goes on ... hopefully you know what your nieces and nephews are into.

We were just able to get 2 tickets to Monster Jam (for DH and DS) on sale for about $40, which is a little over your budget, but maybe do-able in a year you splurge more.

Or you can spend that on a toy that plenty of parents are saying will be played with twice and donated or stagnate in a closet.

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 wrote:I got a $50 bond, $10 in my savings account and 3 toys growing up (1 each from mother, grandparents and uncle; father and his parents didn’t send, and we didn’t care). My grandmother went all out the year she got the Pamela doll for one and teddy ruxpin for the other.

Now, I do a contribution to 529, an experience (just child and me), and 1 toy (to kid taste). I also keep any gift cards for the child who collects and plays with them.

This is a common sense way to go. One you and the rest an investment in the child.