Halloween gifts?

[Anonymous]

Do your kids’ grandparents give them presents on Halloween? My parents started this when our kids were toddlers. I rolled with it but now my kids are over 8 and get plenty of candy trick or treating snd at school already, of course. Well, this week, my mom sent them toys. I told her they really don’t need toys for Halloween, and it’s sending them the wrong message. She got indignant and said she knows I don’t like them sending the kids candy so she thought toys were just fine. I think she started all of this thinking she should be part of the holiday. Ok, I get its a crazy baby boomer grandparent thing, but again, gifts for non-gift holidays tells the kids they should always expect something.

FWIW, my late grandparents were loving people who never did stuff like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do your kids’ grandparents give them presents on Halloween? My parents started this when our kids were toddlers. I rolled with it but now my kids are over 8 and get plenty of candy trick or treating snd at school already, of course. Well, this week, my mom sent them toys. I told her they really don’t need toys for Halloween, and it’s sending them the wrong message. She got indignant and said she knows I don’t like them sending the kids candy so she thought toys were just fine. I think she started all of this thinking she should be part of the holiday. Ok, I get its a crazy baby boomer grandparent thing, but again, gifts for non-gift holidays tells the kids they should always expect something.

FWIW, my late grandparents were loving people who never did stuff like this.

Not really. I’d let her be.

[Anonymous]

My mom loves sending unexpected gifts on random holidays rather than paying a lot of attention to birthdays and Christmas. I think it’s fine. As long as they don’t overdo all year long. My kids are now in college and my mom just sent them each a check for $25 and a Halloween card and they were thrilled! She probably won’t get them anything over the holidays and that is fine.

[Anonymous]

You’re creating problems.

[Anonymous]

My parents have always sent $10 in a card to each grandchild. For years and years, starting with my sister’s kids who are much older than mine.

When my oldest was 7 and my youngest was 5, my ILs were visiting around Halloween, and saw the cards come in. Well, well, well, then they started suddenly sending Halloween cards. With $20 in them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She got indignant and said she knows I don’t like them sending the kids candy so she thought toys were just fine.

So she is trying to respect your rules. Good for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do your kids’ grandparents give them presents on Halloween? My parents started this when our kids were toddlers. I rolled with it but now my kids are over 8 and get plenty of candy trick or treating snd at school already, of course. Well, this week, my mom sent them toys. I told her they really don’t need toys for Halloween, and it’s sending them the wrong message. She got indignant and said she knows I don’t like them sending the kids candy so she thought toys were just fine. I think she started all of this thinking she should be part of the holiday. Ok, I get its a crazy baby boomer grandparent thing, but again, gifts for non-gift holidays tells the kids they should always expect something.

FWIW, my late grandparents were loving people who never did stuff like this.

JFC. Lighten up.

[Anonymous]

You are looking a gift horse in the mouth. Just let them (kids/grandparents) enjoy it.

[Anonymous]

That's sweet. Nope, my family wouldn't even send a birthday gift let alone halloween.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are looking a gift horse in the mouth. Just let them (kids/grandparents) enjoy it.

Agree. We live close to my mom. She’ll text my teenager. Hey it’s Arbor Day or whatever fake holiday let’s get Starbucks or go to target.

It’s sweet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You’re creating problems.

This. Take a look at all of the threads of grandparents who don’t do anything with/for their grandkids.

You are one of the lucky ones.

[Anonymous]

My mom always brought the kids something small when she came to stay (like a book). My son once asked if my mom needed help opening her suitcase (cuz he was expecting his gift to be there). He is a young adult now and completely self sufficient and minimlaist. No harm from Grandmas gifts.

[Anonymous]

Let it go. Your kids will be just fine.

[Anonymous]

My mom sends something for Halloween/Valentine's Day/Easter. Just a small package with a card, stickers, maybe a few pieces of candy or a little stuffed toy or something. We don't buy generally gifts for the kids outside of birthdays and Christmas, so these little treats are something special between them and I have zero problem with it. She doesn't go overboard and cram my house with crap we don't need and my kids aren't demanding gifts at the drop of a hat just because they get a tiny package a couple of times a year from their grandmother.

[Anonymous]

My parents and MIL did stuff like this for many years. It drove me crazy but then it all stops by late elementary and definitely by middle school. They will get less excited to send them when the kids are obviously less excited over the toys or stickers or whatever and call to say thanks but they can hear it in their voice.

Yes, my teen was thankful and loves you. No, they weren’t completely overjoyed at the Thanksgiving/Easter/Halloween fidget spinner.