My sister kept pushing for experiences, like contribute to her Disney Christmas cruise or 6-horse jingle belle sleigh ride through the park. So last year I got her kids a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter and jelly, and a "gift certificate" to help out at the local shelter. My nephew told me they ended up volunteering and her really enjoyed it, but this year my sister just asked for Legos.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yikes...you sound very hostile OP. Don't give anything if you are so bitter about life. The world doesn't need any more negativity.

Like others have said ...experiences can be free. You could give the parents free babysitting. That would provide for a great experience. You could take the kid to a park or invite over for a sleepover.

Go home Scrooge.

This would 100% be viewed as being cheap.

Nope. We don't want or need more crap. Honestly. Spending time is always a good idea.

Little kids do not understand quality time. They understand Christmas equals gifts, and they absolutely notice if Aunt Sarah didn’t send a gift this year.

Umm little kids DO understand quality time!!! My 3 year old understands a ticket to see Frozen 2 or a carwash ticket to get another awesome Saturday with grandpa. My 1 year old doesn't get it, but he also doesn't understand presents.

This is the one area where I really disagree with DCUM. I am perfectly fine with you giving my kids dollar store plastic crap I throw away in 3 weeks time. Its a gift, an extra, something we don't need or plan for. I am not going to get picky with whatever free things you are gifting my children for goodness sake!! Its all welcomed and appreciated. And the fact that a lot of it is "crappy" and never to be used is perfectly fine with me. I will buy whatever toys and experiences I really want my kids to have and anything on top of that is all gravy. I feel like people must really be miserable to complain what their mother in laws get their children. Its like wait someone got your kid a gift?? Omg how annoying!?! WTF!

Experience gifts don’t make sense in UMC circles. It’s not like the kids would be paying for their ice cream/museum/movie entry anyway. The parents would. My kids don’t care if you pay or I do - it’s free to them either way.

Anonymous wrote:One great aunt always gave me McDonalds dollars for Christmas. We loved it, though DCUM doesn’t eat McDonalds.

I eat McDonald’s. I’m not afraid to admit it. Inject those nuggets into my veins.

You know what is a great expert for my kids? $10 for the FroYo place.

They don’t need a zoo membership or Paw Patrol Live tickets.

I do not need any more plastic trucks. I have a box of trucks in my basement while I wait to see if any one noticed they are missing before I donate.

If you can’t give an experience, how about -
Art supplies
Sticker books
Accessories to toys we already own - more Legos, more magnatiles. Please just ask. Don’t surprise me with a new toy with a gajillion pieces that I don’t have a basket or bin for.
Water bottles with their favorite characters- goodness knows we never have enough.

But please please please no more stuffed animals. No more random $5 plastic vehicles that break and my kids won’t throw away.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gift card to movies or Barnes and noble or similar. It doesn’t need to cost you more. You don’t need to pay in full for the experience.

I would be fine being in the receiving end (or having my kids on the receiving end) of something like this but there was a recent thread where people complained about movie gift cards because it would only pay for one ticket or it would pay for two but not the popcorn or whatever. Really, gift givers can't win.

Right exactly. I could get a cute toy from homegoods for $10 per child...but a complete “experience” at the movies is closer to $30 per child. I don’t want side eye for only producing a single ticket.

It doesnt have to be a complete experience. You are missing the point/ You can get just the tickets. Or an AMC gift card or whatever

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m happy to not receive any gifts or for you to give my kids money for their savings account if you simply HAVE to give something. Truly I prefer nothing at all, they don’t need it, but that crappy $5 1000 piece puzzle is going straight in the trash if you buy it.

+1. I won't throw it in the trash, but I'll likely keep it for a little while and then donate it unopened in a couple of months.

It's not about you. It's about your kid, who I'm sure enjoys opening up a gift on Christmas.

No, again, my kids have plenty and they know a “this is thoughtless junk but I wanted you to open something so I could feel giving” gift when they see it. Absolutely nothing at all is necessary. Really.

I’m sure your kids would disagree. You don’t get to make every decision. You are raising a person with their own preferences and feelings.

And I don't buy thoughtless junk. Everyone is getting a book.

Can’t wait to never read that $5.98 clearance book from the Weird Stuff Nobody Reads shelf at B&N

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yikes...you sound very hostile OP. Don't give anything if you are so bitter about life. The world doesn't need any more negativity.

Like others have said ...experiences can be free. You could give the parents free babysitting. That would provide for a great experience. You could take the kid to a park or invite over for a sleepover.

Go home Scrooge.

This would 100% be viewed as being cheap.

Nope. We don't want or need more crap. Honestly. Spending time is always a good idea.

Little kids do not understand quality time. They understand Christmas equals gifts, and they absolutely notice if Aunt Sarah didn’t send a gift this year.

Maybe your greedy little monsters...

One great aunt always gave me McDonalds dollars for Christmas. We loved it, though DCUM doesn’t eat McDonalds.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yikes...you sound very hostile OP. Don't give anything if you are so bitter about life. The world doesn't need any more negativity.

Like others have said ...experiences can be free. You could give the parents free babysitting. That would provide for a great experience. You could take the kid to a park or invite over for a sleepover.

Go home Scrooge.

This would 100% be viewed as being cheap.

Nope. We don't want or need more crap. Honestly. Spending time is always a good idea.

Little kids do not understand quality time. They understand Christmas equals gifts, and they absolutely notice if Aunt Sarah didn’t send a gift this year.

Little kids do a happy dance if they see a bowl of M&Ms. So stop with the over-the-top nonsense. How about one book instead of 12, one outfit instead of 12, or a coloring book with a note; Grandma is taking you to "Frozen II" next Friday!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yikes...you sound very hostile OP. Don't give anything if you are so bitter about life. The world doesn't need any more negativity.

Like others have said ...experiences can be free. You could give the parents free babysitting. That would provide for a great experience. You could take the kid to a park or invite over for a sleepover.

Go home Scrooge.

This would 100% be viewed as being cheap.

Nope. We don't want or need more crap. Honestly. Spending time is always a good idea.

Little kids do not understand quality time. They understand Christmas equals gifts, and they absolutely notice if Aunt Sarah didn’t send a gift this year.

My kids LOVE gift cards. To icecream shops, movies, Panera etc. They love being able to 'pay' for themselves. My son ordered shake at McDonalds with his lunch because he could (we rarelyl eat there and i never allow a shake). He was SOOO Excited.
My DD got extra sprinkles and whip cream on her sundae with her gift card. THe kids love things like that and look forward to using them. Much more than another toy

Today’s “cute” $10 plastic toy is tomorrow’s landfill fodder.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yikes...you sound very hostile OP. Don't give anything if you are so bitter about life. The world doesn't need any more negativity.

Like others have said ...experiences can be free. You could give the parents free babysitting. That would provide for a great experience. You could take the kid to a park or invite over for a sleepover.

Go home Scrooge.

This would 100% be viewed as being cheap.

Nope. We don't want or need more crap. Honestly. Spending time is always a good idea.