How to know what kind of gift to give
According to Statistics Canada, the average Canadian family has 1.5 children. This means my family and friends are far above average. Our circle of close friends have anywhere between two to four children each. That’s a lot of kids when you add it up. Between my husband’s family and my own, there are eleven kids.
You know those pre-planned kids birthday packages? Well, those are not an option for us because they are usually packaged for 8-10 kids. That’s just our family.
The dozens (literally) of weddings we have attended over the course of the past two to four years have now translated into dozens and dozens of baby showers, birthdays and christenings/akeeqah’s (Islamic christening).
We’re blessed to have a large group of friends in different cities, however as many of you can relate, this can get very expensive.
Here are some strategies I’ve come up with.
If I’m going to a party or occasion that has 30 guests or fewer, I will bring a boxed gift (toy, clothes, etc…). Whenever possible, I make sure to include a gift receipt. I understand another child may either have a similar toy/gift already so I don’t get offended if someone chooses to exchange the gift.
I use price matching apps when shopping for the perfect gift. They allow me to save money and get the best value.
If there are more than 30 guests at a party, the chance of getting multiples of the same gift increases. If this is the case, I will either ask the host/hostess if their child would like something specific, otherwise I will give a gift card.
There’s that word. Prior to having kids I used to find gift cards highly offensive and impersonal. As my kids got older and started to accumulate many toys, gizmos and gadgets, I preferred the option of taking them to the store to buy something they really like, rather than having them play with something they’re not really interested in, or that might not be age appropriate because someone gave it to them.
In our home, August to December tends to be a very festive (read: expensive) time of year. A little bit of planning can go a long way in reigning in cost and organizing gift giving.
Do you find gift cards offensive? Do you find them practical? How do you feel about letting other people know what you/your child would like?
Can’t agree more! I think gift cards are very practical! With many kids and all with diff ages and personalities it only makes sense!
So true. I’m loving how many pharmacies and big box stores carry a good variety of gift card options in various denominations. It makes gift giving that much easier.
Giving/receiving a purchased personal item is nice, but what are the chances you’re going to give something that they will absolutely love or don’t have already? Not very high as almost everyone has their own personal taste. Gift cards and gift receipts are usually the PERFECT solution to gift giving. It doesn’t offend me whatsoever.
If someone very close to me asks what to purchase as a gift, I will let them know. If I do not have that closeness to them, I would stay away from pulling out my “wish list”.
Great points! Thanks for sharing. It’s true, “wish lists” should really only be reserved for close friends and family.
I also love gift cards for shopping centres. That way, there is so much more flexibility and so many more options to choose from; unless you know the person loves to shop at one particular store.
gift giving over the years have lost its spunk…its almost expected to give/receive gifts on special occasions…because, i always do the unexpected, i don’t give out gifts anymore!
to close family and friends, i give them surprises…like, if i know my friend likes something so much, i don’t wait for an occasion to come up, i just go out and get it for them and say, happy tuesday!! and really, it’s the unexpected gifts that are the most appreciated ones cuz it shows that friends do randomly think of you rather than on a specific occasion to come up…
as for baby’s births, akeekas, christenings, birthdays or what nots…i never gift anything to the child…i always gift their moms! i remember giving my friend cash and told her to spend it on a mani/pedi/massage for herself…cuz babies/kids get everything anyway! no one thinks of the mom!! her husband was like, what about the dad?! i’m like, what about you?! you wouldn’t question your child getting a gift, but ur questioning the mother?! REALLY?? LOL!
other times, when kids went to birthday parties, while everyone is giving out boxed presents, my kids have given out gift cards to their friend’s favorite restaurant…!! i have given out plenty of tim horton’s, mcd’s or st-hubert rotisserie gift cards and omg the positive response we got – overwhelming! WOW! parents have said to me, the kids show so much confidence that one of them called up their grandma and said, lets have dinner at st-hubert, my treat…where another 5 year-old confidently went up to mcds counter and ordered his own happy meal and treated his sister one too!! so i do gift certificates/cards to kids favorite restaurants…a real winner…and if it’s from 1 kid, $10…if it’s from both $15…again, i love food…so food gifts are the best…last birthday, my friend made me a fresh strawberry cream cupcake at the park…A it’s my favorite cake and B she assembled it fresh at the park with overnight macerated strawberries fresh whipped cream from her cooler…and it’s was the best bday ever to date!
for my kids, on their birthdays and eids, we go to toys r us, and they pick out their own gifts…so we only go there 4x a year…
as for mine/hubby’s birthday, i get everything and anything i want, i don’t wait/expect anything for birthdays/anniversaries anymore…its the random flowers, spontaneous dinner plans and the random cup of coffee that hubby brings home that makes it so much more special as well as that scarf/coat/jewelry i discovered today cuz i know it’ll look awesome on you <3
everyday is a gift – might as well get a present for it!! xox
Fantastic view on life. I love your ‘live in the moment’ ideas. Thanks for sharing!
All of my kids and Grandkids know that they will get either gift cards or cash from me. I do try to get them a little something to go with it.
Price matching is my favorite way to save time and money. Most of the families here have 6 – 8 children so it gets really expensive really quick – saving is necessary.
I love giving gift cards especially when I have no idea what the receiver likes. In a way it’s a way of them choosing exactly what they would prefer. I prefer giving cash cards though instead of a card to a store.
I used to think gift cards were too generic and didn’t show much thought but I’ve totally changed my tune now. I think people appreciate being able to get what they really want, so now I usually do give gift cards!
I am a massive fan of gift cards. Now that my kids are 11 and 13 they would way rather have gifts cards than anything else. My DD got a gift card to Old Navy for her birthday and she loved that! She got a small shopping spree out of it. How great is that for a tween! Plus she feels proud that she paid for it by herself.
I remember when gift cards were largely considered impersonal. I think they’re becoming more mainstream now. I like them.
I love the idea of giftcards. That way, you can buy anything you want.