Comments on: Gift-Giving

By: Billie

Billie — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:46:52 +0000

We must be rich! We gave each of our children 2$ for the tooth they have lost. But to be fair, the kids don’t get any kind of allowance (at least not from us) so this is one opportunity to provide them for money to save up for toys that they want.
Billie´s last blog ..Please leave it to a professional!

By: Abigail

Abigail — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 23:55:47 +0000

I think I got a dollar each tooth. Not really sure though.

As far as gifts, I don’t like giving cash. Even gift cards can be a little weird (though usually I’ve gotten them through points programs, so I’m even cheaper than they think!).

Frankly, I have very few qualms about weddings — do what makes you happy. One of my few caveats, though, is DO NOT ASK FOR CASH. I think it’s tacky beyond belief. I understand not wanting “things” but if people want to give you cash, they’ll give you cash. It would make me uncomfortable for my friends to have their hands out. Perhaps it’s because we’re broke. There are times we can afford to get friends presents, but generally speaking all my friends just don’t bother with gifts for birthdays and such. We take each other out for a drink. For our wedding a year ago, my friends were very generous, but we also made sure to register in places with affordable things.

I am simply a firm believer that you don’t ask for cash. If you want help with the honeymoon, do one of those registries. That seems cool, but it’s a way for people to not have to hand over an envelope of money. That just seems… weird.

I really admired a pair of friends who got married. They both made comfortable incomes, they’d had their house together for a few years, so they asked that donations be made to charities, then listed a couple of their favorites.

I can’t say I’m that selfless, but wouldn’t the world be a better place if more of us were?
Abigail´s last blog ..Extended stay hotels and the virtues of moving on spec

By: Susanne

Susanne — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 22:08:42 +0000

I’m horrible at giving gifts. It’s not that I don’t want to… It’s just that having to find something both meaningful and affordable really stresses me out. I almost wish everyone could keep a running registry so that whenever I need to purchase something for someone, I could just consult that.

As a kid, I think I received a quarter per tooth.
Susanne´s last blog ..A second opinion saved me $1832

By: Kika

Kika — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:48:23 +0000

I absolutely prefer giving CASH as gifts, whether for a child’s birthday, a wedding gift, whatever. I detest the idea of contributing to clutter in someone’s life. Why not let the person/couple choose how to pool the $ together and spend it on something worthwhile? I will not participate in wedding registries but give a fixed amount: $35 to colleagues/acquaintances; $50 to a cousin or other relative; $100 (or more) to an immediate family member. We budget for this and it works for us. The same idea goes for my own children’s birthdays. They know the amount we budget for their gift and usually we apply it towards a larger item they’re saving for. For Christmas we maintain more of an element of surprise although always work at buying them gifts that endure – not just plastic toys – books, art supplies, things they love and want but will not simply be discarded after a few weeks. For the tooth fairy, I started with my oldest son giving .25$ then progressed to a $1/tooth. But when he got a little older (my kids start loosing teeth late) and thought he could demand this, I stopped leaving money. I mean, come on! He knew there was no tooth fairy, right? So now, I put a coin under the pillow for the first two or three teeth only. I would add, too, that I really dislike people buying me gifts – unless it is a coffee card, say, it is just more STUFF that I really don’t need. My friends and I have begun taking eachother out for coffee or lunch on our special days.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:14:50 +0000

Popular Mechanics for Kids? Too funny!

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:14:01 +0000

I totally agree with you Nancy!

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:13:09 +0000

I just have to say that although I share your opinion (and got a very nice pair of candlesticks from my grandmother when I got married), culturally, it is much more accepted to give money here in France than in the US.

I think you could almost compare it to the Italian tradition- remember the scene in Goodfellas, when the mob family gives them all the money at the wedding? It’s a bit like that. People tend to give money and plants, which I think is lovely.