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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
I buy gift cards to target or amazon for kids birthdays For the parents!
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Posted 12/17/19 6:36 AM  |
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jlm2008
LIF Adult
Member since 1/10 5092 total posts
Name:
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Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
Wow, I was never a fan of getting children gift cards because I think children would rather open a gift. But reading some of you ladies responses, I will NEVER buy a child a gift card until I know they are living in their own house! I won't even buy one for a teenager anymore. I NEVER realized how many parents actually use the money themselves! Im giving your child a gift, not funding raising them because you chose to have a child and now resent the expenses that go along with your choice. Thank you OP for this thread.
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| Posted 12/17/19 8:36 AM |
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M514
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Member since 8/10 6011 total posts
Name:
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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
Posted by jlm2008
Wow, I was never a fan of getting children gift cards because I think children would rather open a gift. But reading some of you ladies responses, I will NEVER buy a child a gift card until I know they are living in their own house! I won't even buy one for a teenager anymore. I NEVER realized how many parents actually use the money themselves! Im giving your child a gift, not funding raising them because you chose to have a child and now resent the expenses that go along with your choice. Thank you OP for this thread.
As a parent, I’m also shocked by the amount of parents that use the gift cards given to their children. I guess I don’t get it because my DD loves gifts cards, loves to go shopping and is actually grateful to receive them. I would feel guilty taking my child’s money. And we give gift cards to her friends for their birthdays... now I’m second guessing that..
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| Posted 12/17/19 9:13 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
Posted by M514
Posted by jlm2008
Wow, I was never a fan of getting children gift cards because I think children would rather open a gift. But reading some of you ladies responses, I will NEVER buy a child a gift card until I know they are living in their own house! I won't even buy one for a teenager anymore. I NEVER realized how many parents actually use the money themselves! Im giving your child a gift, not funding raising them because you chose to have a child and now resent the expenses that go along with your choice. Thank you OP for this thread.
As a parent, I’m also shocked by the amount of parents that use the gift cards given to their children. I guess I don’t get it because my DD loves gifts cards, loves to go shopping and is actually grateful to receive them. I would feel guilty taking my child’s money. And we give gift cards to her friends for their birthdays... now I’m second guessing that..
Agree. I didn't realize how big a thing this was.
My DD loves her gift cards too. I'd feel horrible taking them to buy myself deodorant and hairspray at target.
Now if I were in a really bad financial situation and this was the only way we were going to be able to eat or have household essentials, that's another story.
But other than that- I can't imagine it.
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| Posted 12/17/19 9:36 AM |
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JME78
LIF Adult
Member since 11/09 3672 total posts
Name:
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Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
I really am shocked that people use their kids gift cards or cash for themselves.
My parents always kept our gift money in savings, and we are doing the same. My kids are young enough that they don't get a ton of gift cards.
I let people give them whatever they want - I don't try to manage other people's gift giving. They have a lot of stuff but they are kids - it won't last forever. If someone wants to give them another stuffed animal, I am just happy they thought of the kids.
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| Posted 12/17/19 10:08 AM |
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StaceyWill
It's a girl!!!
Member since 6/10 21539 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
Posted by M514
My DD puts all her gift cards in her wallet and keeps track of them. She brings her wallet whenever we go shopping and she’ll buy something here and there.
Same here.
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| Posted 12/17/19 10:15 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
Posted by JME78
I really am shocked that people use their kids gift cards or cash for themselves.
My parents always kept our gift money in savings, and we are doing the same. My kids are young enough that they don't get a ton of gift cards.
I let people give them whatever they want - I don't try to manage other people's gift giving. They have a lot of stuff but they are kids - it won't last forever. If someone wants to give them another stuffed animal, I am just happy they thought of the kids.
Same. And to be honest toys and things still make my DD very happy. So that is all I care about.
The clutter won't last forever. There's more to life than a perfect house IMO.
We go through old toys, books and games that she is no longer using several times a year and donate them to make room for new things.
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| Posted 12/17/19 10:29 AM |
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Katareen
5,000 Posts!
Member since 4/10 7180 total posts
Name:
Katherine
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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
Posted by olive98
Posted by LSP2005
I do not use my kids gift cards. I feel very strongly about keeping their money separately. If they ask me to buy the gift card I do that. I have also saved them for them when there was nothing they wanted at that moment. Last year we ended up with close to $200 in gift cards. I just bought them off of my kids and gave my kids the cash because I did not want to keep the gc for another year.
Lol this made me snicker a bit. You bought them off of them and keep their money separate. I dont really get it. I literally spend thousands of dollars on my child between clothes, toys, not to mention everything else. Lmao they should be giving me gift cards. In all seriousness I'm using their gift cards to buy them stuff and if I throw in something for myself I'm sure I have more then made up for it.
Yeah. It’s called having a child. It’s YOUR responsibility to foot the bill for that child, not your friends/family. Why should people be giving you anything??? Good Lord what an entitled way of thinking! Maybe if your family was in a desperate situation and you NEEDED that money to buy necessities, but that doesn’t seem to be the case here.
I don’t see a problem with buying the GC though. If my kid gets a $20 GC to Target, and I give them $20 in their piggy bank and take the GC—they still got the gift. It’s not like I just swiped it and gave nothing in return. Maybe the toy they wanted was only available on Amazon and now they can use the $20 there.
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| Posted 12/17/19 10:39 AM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
Name:
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Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
DD has some target gift cards to use. We need bandaids so I’m glad I now know to Venmo the gift giver $3, lest I expect someone else to cover my obligatory child rearing expenses.
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| Posted 12/17/19 11:02 AM |
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Katareen
5,000 Posts!
Member since 4/10 7180 total posts
Name:
Katherine
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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
Posted by LuckyStar
DD has some target gift cards to use. We need bandaids so I’m glad I now know to Venmo the gift giver $3, lest I expect someone else to cover my obligatory child rearing expenses.
Make sure you also sell their other gifts to buy yourself some new shoes.
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| Posted 12/17/19 11:36 AM |
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lightblue
LIF Adult
Member since 1/17 2249 total posts
Name:
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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
Posted by LuckyStar
DD has some target gift cards to use. We need bandaids so I’m glad I now know to Venmo the gift giver $3, lest I expect someone else to cover my obligatory child rearing expenses.
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| Posted 12/17/19 11:43 AM |
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olive98
LIF Adolescent
Member since 11/12 791 total posts
Name:
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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
Posted by Katareen
Posted by olive98
Posted by LSP2005
I do not use my kids gift cards. I feel very strongly about keeping their money separately. If they ask me to buy the gift card I do that. I have also saved them for them when there was nothing they wanted at that moment. Last year we ended up with close to $200 in gift cards. I just bought them off of my kids and gave my kids the cash because I did not want to keep the gc for another year.
Lol this made me snicker a bit. You bought them off of them and keep their money separate. I dont really get it. I literally spend thousands of dollars on my child between clothes, toys, not to mention everything else. Lmao they should be giving me gift cards. In all seriousness I'm using their gift cards to buy them stuff and if I throw in something for myself I'm sure I have more then made up for it.
Yeah. It’s called having a child. It’s YOUR responsibility to foot the bill for that child, not your friends/family. Why should people be giving you anything??? Good Lord what an entitled way of thinking! Maybe if your family was in a desperate situation and you NEEDED that money to buy necessities, but that doesn’t seem to be the case here.
I don’t see a problem with buying the GC though. If my kid gets a $20 GC to Target, and I give them $20 in their piggy bank and take the GC—they still got the gift. It’s not like I just swiped it and gave nothing in return. Maybe the toy they wanted was only available on Amazon and now they can use the $20 there.
The things people get upset about. I'm not taking my 13 year old's gift cards and buying myself a sweater with it lol.
As I said before my Mom was a single mom. She used our birthday money etc to buy us things we needed before what we wanted. I also remember one year she needed to use our birthday money for food. She was so entitled right? I hope you never experience this and if you do I hope your children understand
Anyway when I said if I throw something in for myself I meant if I'm using my kids gift card at target and throw in a pack of gum. Really its not that serious
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| Posted 12/17/19 12:07 PM |
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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
Posted by olive98
Posted by Katareen
Posted by olive98
Posted by LSP2005
I do not use my kids gift cards. I feel very strongly about keeping their money separately. If they ask me to buy the gift card I do that. I have also saved them for them when there was nothing they wanted at that moment. Last year we ended up with close to $200 in gift cards. I just bought them off of my kids and gave my kids the cash because I did not want to keep the gc for another year.
Lol this made me snicker a bit. You bought them off of them and keep their money separate. I dont really get it. I literally spend thousands of dollars on my child between clothes, toys, not to mention everything else. Lmao they should be giving me gift cards. In all seriousness I'm using their gift cards to buy them stuff and if I throw in something for myself I'm sure I have more then made up for it.
Yeah. It’s called having a child. It’s YOUR responsibility to foot the bill for that child, not your friends/family. Why should people be giving you anything??? Good Lord what an entitled way of thinking! Maybe if your family was in a desperate situation and you NEEDED that money to buy necessities, but that doesn’t seem to be the case here.
I don’t see a problem with buying the GC though. If my kid gets a $20 GC to Target, and I give them $20 in their piggy bank and take the GC—they still got the gift. It’s not like I just swiped it and gave nothing in return. Maybe the toy they wanted was only available on Amazon and now they can use the $20 there.
The things people get upset about. I'm not taking my 13 year old's gift cards and buying myself a sweater with it lol.
As I said before my Mom was a single mom. She used our birthday money etc to buy us things we needed before what we wanted. I also remember one year she needed to use our birthday money for food. She was so entitled right? I hope you never experience this and if you do I hope your children understand
Anyway when I said if I throw something in for myself I meant if I'm using my kids gift card at target and throw in a pack of gum. Really its not that serious
 I was a single mother too and before my ex paid me child support (TWO YEARS) I was broke as a joke despite having a full time job that pays well. So yeah, sometimes a Target gc bought us food, or clothes, or shoes. God forbid.
God, the judgment is real here. Like Olives said, no one is taking the GC's and buying themselves sweaters or boots, but sometimes life isn't so black and white.
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| Posted 12/17/19 1:01 PM |
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queensgal
Smile
Member since 4/09 3287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
Some of these responses. So silly. You act like parents are breaking piggy banks to go out bar hopping all night or hit the casinos.
I think once a child is old enough to know it’s their money it is a little different. But while they’re so young, seriously who cares. Keep giving gifts that never get used, get given away or sent to a landfill.
Also as someone who grew up with too many toys but without many things that seem essential, these comments are offensive and really show a privilege. if you’ve never been poor, consider yourself blessed and maybe get off your high horse occasionally and help out others less fortunate (but don’t give gift cards heaven forbid they are used for food/clothes, only give what you can decide is best for others)
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| Posted 12/17/19 1:14 PM |
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CookiePuss
Cake from Outer Space!
Member since 5/05 14021 total posts
Name:
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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by olive98
Posted by LSP2005
I do not use my kids gift cards. I feel very strongly about keeping their money separately. If they ask me to buy the gift card I do that. I have also saved them for them when there was nothing they wanted at that moment. Last year we ended up with close to $200 in gift cards. I just bought them off of my kids and gave my kids the cash because I did not want to keep the gc for another year.
Lol this made me snicker a bit. You bought them off of them and keep their money separate. I dont really get it. I literally spend thousands of dollars on my child between clothes, toys, not to mention everything else. Lmao they should be giving me gift cards. In all seriousness I'm using their gift cards to buy them stuff and if I throw in something for myself I'm sure I have more then made up for it.
My husband feels very strongly about this. When he was a kid, his parents took and spent all cash that was gifted to him. All his christening, communion, birthday money. He had nothing in savings.
When we bought our house we were able to put a nice down payment on our house thanks to my parents saving every penny I was gifted as a child for me (in some pretty crazy high interest rate CDs from the 70s  ).
He always felt badly about that and swore he'd never do that when we had a child.
Household expenses associated with raising her are what comes with the territory of having a child and we were expecting that. The thousands upon thousands we spend on her from diapers and formula as a baby to gymnastics classes and Christmas gifts and clothes are par for the course. Her gifts, money or gift cards that people give to HER, are not meant to be used to cover OUR expenses of raising her in our opinion.
My father did that to me as well...spent every dime I ever was gifted included a small inheritance. I have accounts for my children and they hold on to their own gift cards.
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| Posted 12/17/19 1:38 PM |
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Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
The gift cards and money go to my son. I don’t believe in taking or spending his gifts. And obviously, I am talking about a normal circumstances,I am not in dire need financially.
NO ONE said the situation where parents were in need or financially strapped and depended on these cards were wrong for using it on the house. Let’s please stop using that as an excuse because some people don’t believe in taking their kids gift cards. So ridiculous.
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| Posted 12/17/19 2:33 PM |
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amac27
LIF Toddler
Member since 8/09 471 total posts
Name:
A
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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
Unless you are in dire straits and actually need the money to feed and/or put clothing on your child, then there is no reason to take a gift card or cash meant for your child. Basically, you are stealing from your child.
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| Posted 12/17/19 2:47 PM |
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Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
Posted by CookiePuss
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by olive98
Posted by LSP2005
I do not use my kids gift cards. I feel very strongly about keeping their money separately. If they ask me to buy the gift card I do that. I have also saved them for them when there was nothing they wanted at that moment. Last year we ended up with close to $200 in gift cards. I just bought them off of my kids and gave my kids the cash because I did not want to keep the gc for another year.
Lol this made me snicker a bit. You bought them off of them and keep their money separate. I dont really get it. I literally spend thousands of dollars on my child between clothes, toys, not to mention everything else. Lmao they should be giving me gift cards. In all seriousness I'm using their gift cards to buy them stuff and if I throw in something for myself I'm sure I have more then made up for it.
My husband feels very strongly about this. When he was a kid, his parents took and spent all cash that was gifted to him. All his christening, communion, birthday money. He had nothing in savings.
When we bought our house we were able to put a nice down payment on our house thanks to my parents saving every penny I was gifted as a child for me (in some pretty crazy high interest rate CDs from the 70s ).
He always felt badly about that and swore he'd never do that when we had a child.
Household expenses associated with raising her are what comes with the territory of having a child and we were expecting that. The thousands upon thousands we spend on her from diapers and formula as a baby to gymnastics classes and Christmas gifts and clothes are par for the course. Her gifts, money or gift cards that people give to HER, are not meant to be used to cover OUR expenses of raising her in our opinion.
My father did that to me as well...spent every dime I ever was gifted included a small inheritance. I have accounts for my children and they hold on to their own gift cards.
My stepsons mom used to do this and he resented her because of it it. His dad stepped in when he was 16 and told her to stop taking the money that he was gifted by his grandparents even if it was her parents.
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| Posted 12/17/19 4:11 PM |
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Adri
Joy!
Member since 5/05 3116 total posts
Name:
A
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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by olive98
Posted by LSP2005
I do not use my kids gift cards. I feel very strongly about keeping their money separately. If they ask me to buy the gift card I do that. I have also saved them for them when there was nothing they wanted at that moment. Last year we ended up with close to $200 in gift cards. I just bought them off of my kids and gave my kids the cash because I did not want to keep the gc for another year.
Lol this made me snicker a bit. You bought them off of them and keep their money separate. I dont really get it. I literally spend thousands of dollars on my child between clothes, toys, not to mention everything else. Lmao they should be giving me gift cards. In all seriousness I'm using their gift cards to buy them stuff and if I throw in something for myself I'm sure I have more then made up for it.
My husband feels very strongly about this. When he was a kid, his parents took and spent all cash that was gifted to him. All his christening, communion, birthday money. He had nothing in savings.
When we bought our house we were able to put a nice down payment on our house thanks to my parents saving every penny I was gifted as a child for me (in some pretty crazy high interest rate CDs from the 70s ).
He always felt badly about that and swore he'd never do that when we had a child.
Household expenses associated with raising her are what comes with the territory of having a child and we were expecting that. The thousands upon thousands we spend on her from diapers and formula as a baby to gymnastics classes and Christmas gifts and clothes are par for the course. Her gifts, money or gift cards that people give to HER, are not meant to be used to cover OUR expenses of raising her in our opinion.
I haven't read all the responses, but I agree with this 100% It's my job to provide for my DS, to get him clothes (if he wants X brand or particular things, then it's up to him). Those gift cards are his presents, not mine to use. Same way I'd get upset if DH takes my gift cards to get house hold items.
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| Posted 12/17/19 7:25 PM |
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MK2010x2
LIF Infant
Member since 8/17 142 total posts
Name:
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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
at LuckyStar
Yes, my daughter needs 24 gifts for her birthday. Heaven forbid she get 22 - I am stealing from my own child! Lock me up for taking a few of them for household needs.
I made her give a bunch to Toys for Tots, too. The poor thing, she is going to be scarred for life.
Message edited 12/17/2019 9:17:09 PM.
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| Posted 12/17/19 9:15 PM |
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Loveme
LIF Adult
Member since 6/11 3170 total posts
Name:
Me
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Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
I’d much rather get a gift card that will be used for family needs and/or a toy for my kid than some random $20 item that will probably be returned.
When invited to a classmate’s party I always give cash or a GC. Parents can do whatever they want their the money.
Who wants more clutter and random toys??? Not me
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| Posted 12/18/19 9:00 PM |
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nycbuslady
LIF Adult
Member since 9/15 1066 total posts
Name:
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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
Posted by Loveme
I’d much rather get a gift card that will be used for family needs and/or a toy for my kid than some random $20 item that will probably be returned.
When invited to a classmate’s party I always give cash or a GC. Parents can do whatever they want their the money.
Who wants more clutter and random toys??? Not me
I agree! I don't care what parents do. When my daughter was little (like before age 5/6), she didn't remember that she had a gift card, so sometimes I used them. She has SO MUCH already that I don't feel like I'm stealing from her.
Does it matter that she didn't get to purchase some dumb piece of plastic toy when she was in kindergarten?
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| Posted 12/19/19 9:37 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
Posted by nycbuslady
Posted by Loveme
I’d much rather get a gift card that will be used for family needs and/or a toy for my kid than some random $20 item that will probably be returned.
When invited to a classmate’s party I always give cash or a GC. Parents can do whatever they want their the money.
Who wants more clutter and random toys??? Not me
I agree! I don't care what parents do. When my daughter was little (like before age 5/6), she didn't remember that she had a gift card, so sometimes I used them. She has SO MUCH already that I don't feel like I'm stealing from her.
Does it matter that she didn't get to purchase some dumb piece of plastic toy when she was in kindergarten?
I have had cases like that where she just doesn't need another toy or never uses the gift card, or I'll use it for something I need- so I buy it off of her and put the money in her savings account or her 529 for college. win/win
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| Posted 12/19/19 10:01 AM |
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beachbabe
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/15 731 total posts
Name:
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Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
I'm actually surprised to see how many parents use their kids gift cards. I think going forward I won't give gift cards because then I feel like I'm not really giving a gift to the child.
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| Posted 12/19/19 10:24 AM |
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lightblue
LIF Adult
Member since 1/17 2249 total posts
Name:
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Re: Spinoff- Gift Cards for kids
Posted by Loveme
I’d much rather get a gift card that will be used for family needs and/or a toy for my kid than some random $20 item that will probably be returned.
When invited to a classmate’s party I always give cash or a GC. Parents can do whatever they want their the money.
Who wants more clutter and random toys??? Not me
This is what I do as well. And if I do get a GC to a general place like Target or Amazon, if I buy something it is for my child, not for myself.
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| Posted 12/19/19 10:28 AM |
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