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johnsae
Sip.
Member since 3/06 18677 total posts
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Do you ever feel like gift giving / kids birthday parties are out of control?
We have friends in the neighborhood. DH went to school with the guy and his wife is about to have baby #3. We have been invited to every single celebration that the first two kids have had (christenings, birthdays, etc). I feel like every time I get my mail we have an invitation from their family. And now she's about to give birth to #3 and all I can think of is all the presents I'll need to be getting in the future 
Anyway, her second child's bday party (turning 2) is this weekend. This family is very wealthy and these kids need nothing. I know that she loves the store Janie & Jack and also Ralph Lauren things. Do you think it is ok to get a gift certificate to one of these stores for her little girl? The last time I bought them a gift I really spent a lot of time and effort on thinking about what to get them and her thank you note thanked me for a gift someone else got them.
My question is...is giving a Gift Certificate a crappy gift? I just really have exhausted all other gift options with this family....they plan on having 6 kids.
If anyone knows of a unique gift for a 2 year old girl that has EVERYTHING, please let me know 
Message edited 9/24/2008 5:39:07 PM.
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Posted 9/24/08 5:30 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Do you ever feel like gift giving / kids birthday parties are out of control?
No.. it's a great gift. I love GC. No need to return something that is in the wrong size or style.
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| Posted 9/24/08 5:37 PM |
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monkeybride
My Everything
Member since 5/05 20541 total posts
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Re: Do you ever feel like gift giving / kids birthday parties are out of control?
Gift cards are great.
I'm glad we don't know any rich people. Play doh and PJ's work just fine amongst our friends.
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| Posted 9/24/08 6:05 PM |
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Re: Do you ever feel like gift giving / kids birthday parties are out of control?
I say get a cute winter hat and a GC to Janie and Jack.
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| Posted 9/24/08 6:06 PM |
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johnsae
Sip.
Member since 3/06 18677 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you ever feel like gift giving / kids birthday parties are out of control?
Posted by monkeybride
Gift cards are great.
I'm glad we don't know any rich people. Play doh and PJ's work just fine amongst our friends.
LOL...yeah....sucks for me
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| Posted 9/24/08 6:09 PM |
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johnsae
Sip.
Member since 3/06 18677 total posts
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Re: Do you ever feel like gift giving / kids birthday parties are out of control?
Posted by Seles81
I say get a cute winter hat and a GC to Janie and Jack.
that's a cute idea....to get something small and then add the GC in with it...thanks!
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| Posted 9/24/08 6:09 PM |
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Re: Do you ever feel like gift giving / kids birthday parties are out of control?
Or maybe a build a bear GC? Or you could do both (not sure on your limit to spend)?
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| Posted 9/24/08 6:11 PM |
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2PreciousBlessings
The Perfect Pair
Member since 5/06 19861 total posts
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Best Wife & Mommy
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Re: Do you ever feel like gift giving / kids birthday parties are out of control?
Posted by Seles81
I say get a cute winter hat and a GC to Janie and Jack.
ITA!
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| Posted 9/24/08 6:12 PM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
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Re: Do you ever feel like gift giving / kids birthday parties are out of control?
Janie & Jack is having a 40% sale...go for the clothes over the gc!
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| Posted 9/24/08 6:12 PM |
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Re: Do you ever feel like gift giving / kids birthday parties are out of control?
There are some people that I just have to buy GCs for because there is no other solution. It's not really what I want to do but I know your predicament. I'm probably about to buy yet another Abercrombie GC for my niece's birthday very soon.
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| Posted 9/24/08 7:07 PM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Do you ever feel like gift giving / kids birthday parties are out of control?
I soooo know how you feel. We have so many parties every weekend. I am usually buying 1-2 gifts a week. And, like you - I can't get away with a thing of Play-Doh! It does get out of control especially when these kids really don't need anything. I know Jack sure doesn't. If I want something for him - I get it.
Anyway - I think a GC is a great gift (and it doesn't seem to matter anyway since the girl can't get her gifts straight for her thank you's  ) Two GCs that I got that I thought were different were Stride Rite - and also Gymboree. If you know she shops at Janie and Jack I would just go with that! 
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| Posted 9/24/08 7:23 PM |
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MelToddJulia
Love my Family!
Member since 7/05 29064 total posts
Name:
Mel
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Re: Do you ever feel like gift giving / kids birthday parties are out of control?
Posted by Seles81
I say get a cute winter hat and a GC to Janie and Jack.
I agree, I don't mind when Julia gets a G/C for a gift, but its nice if there is something small with it for her to open.
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| Posted 9/24/08 7:36 PM |
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Elizabeth
Mom of Three
Member since 9/05 7900 total posts
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"MOMMY!!!"
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Re: Do you ever feel like gift giving / kids birthday parties are out of control?
The thread title and the question are 2 different things  but I think it's OK to decline invites if you feel they are out of control. I'm sure no one means to make anyone feel obligated. I have 3 kids, I hope no one I know feels like this.
Anyhoo...as far as the Q, I think a GC is a great idea. Most kids don't mind a GC, esp when they are opening a bunch of gifts and parents love them.
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| Posted 9/24/08 7:47 PM |
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monkeybride
My Everything
Member since 5/05 20541 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you ever feel like gift giving / kids birthday parties are out of control?
Posted by Diana1215
I soooo know how you feel. We have so many parties every weekend. I am usually buying 1-2 gifts a week. And, like you - I can't get away with a thing of Play-Doh!
While I totally get what you're saying, that certain people have certain expectations I think parents, no matter how "to do" they are should agree that the birthday party is about the kids and fun and so are the presents.
My DD got nice gifts and her favorites are the play doh which is so inexpensive but it makes her happy. Isn't that what giving presents is about? For the person/child getting it to like it not to make the parents happy?
I don't know I guess that's where I feel it's gotten out of control. Where it's gotten to be a competition or keeping up with the Jones' in terms of gift giving, especially when it comes to kids.
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| Posted 9/24/08 7:56 PM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Do you ever feel like gift giving / kids birthday parties are out of control?
Posted by monkeybride
Posted by Diana1215
I soooo know how you feel. We have so many parties every weekend. I am usually buying 1-2 gifts a week. And, like you - I can't get away with a thing of Play-Doh!
While I totally get what you're saying, that certain people have certain expectations I think parents, no matter how "to do" they are should agree that the birthday party is about the kids and fun and so are the presents.
My DD got nice gifts and her favorites are the play doh which is so inexpensive but it makes her happy. Isn't that what giving presents is about? For the person/child getting it to like it not to make the parents happy?
I don't know I guess that's where I feel it's gotten out of control. Where it's gotten to be a competition or keeping up with the Jones' in terms of gift giving, especially when it comes to kids.
Oh believe me - I understand. Jack has thousands of dollars worth of toys - and the kid chooses to play with my flip flops all day!
I mean that I have people in my life who are extremely generous to me (Jack) and therefore I want to be generous with them back.
There are also certain people that give normal gifts - and I do that back to them. But, the majority of MY friends and MY family go wayyyy wayyyy wayyyy overboard - so, in turn, I do the same! Does that make sense?!
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| Posted 9/24/08 8:00 PM |
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sami
So very blessed!! Thank u !!
Member since 8/06 6524 total posts
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Re: Do you ever feel like gift giving / kids birthday parties are out of control?
I think that a gc is a very safe gift! I would be very happy with that!
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| Posted 9/24/08 8:02 PM |
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Re: Do you ever feel like gift giving / kids birthday parties are out of control?
I love gift cards. I hate having to return things because they were the wrong size or duplicates.
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| Posted 9/24/08 8:12 PM |
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pmpkn087
Life is good...
Member since 9/05 18504 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Do you ever feel like gift giving / kids birthday parties are out of control?
Posted by nrthshgrl
Janie & Jack is having a 40% sale...go for the clothes over the gc!
I agree with this!
And, YES, I do belive that all the parties and gift giving gets out of control.
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| Posted 9/24/08 8:22 PM |
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