Giving gifts to little kids

[Flappy]

So in light of the recent economy, some of the members of my family have decided to buy gifts only for the younger kids (around ages 1-10), and not buy them for the older kids.

Now my problem is, why?

Why would you buy a gift for a young kid who'll get bored of it in a couple weeks, rather than get a gift card or some money to a teenager who will actually appreciate it?

Discuss.

[SwimFellow]

Money to teen.

[newschooled]

Cuz maybe not all teenagers appreciate it. Or maybe a little kid won't get bored of it in a couple weeks.

You're making a blanket assumption. That, and totally missing that Christmas isn't in essence for the purpose of material gain.

[krzych32]

Dec 2, 2010 23:49:06 GMT -5 Flappy said:

So in light of the recent economy, some of the members of my family have decided to buy gifts only for the younger kids (around ages 1-10), and not buy them for the older kids.

Now my problem is, why?

Why would you buy a gift for a young kid who'll get bored of it in a couple weeks, rather than get a gift card or some money to a teenager who will actually appreciate it?

Discuss.

Does it matter? Do those gifts make you really that happy? I see how they can make a kid happy but the whole holiday already lost its magic to me. What is it really about now? Gifts? Why do we even do all that crap.

[Breepop]

1. Younger children are more likely to see Christmas as a time to receive presents, not for what it is. Adults tend to appease this. Not giving a gift to a child just seems... wrong.

2. Younger children are easier to shop for. They don't have much, they're pleased with a lot/not nearly as picky, and there are a lot of very cheap, but awesome gifts for that age range. Giving and receiving money as a gift is, frankly, quite boring (compared to a physical gift).

3. Giving a gift to a cute kid is more fun than giving to an unappreciative teenager or adult.

4. I'm not sure where you got the idea otherwise, but in my experience, children appreciate gifts a heccccccccccck of a lot more than older people. Even money. Kids get $5 and they're on cloud nine.



My cousin is the youngest person in my extended family now (17), and a few years ago, we just all agreed that we would either not give gifts on Christmas at all, or just give very small, inexpensive gifts. You'll realize that presents have nothing to do with Christmas. Watching home videos from Christmas when I was a kid is hilarious. There's this constant shouting from me and my cousins like, "OH GOD, CLOTHES!? Is this all we get? Noooooooooo" Now it's just like, "Oh, I get to eat amazing food while hanging out with my awesome family? BEST DAY EVER." Presents are still given by immediate family, of course (e.g. my parents still give my brother and I epic gifts on Christmas, and my aunts and uncles do the same for my cousins), so the younger of us spend a bit of time sharing the gifts we got after dinner.

[Sean]

Presents are a huge part of our Christmas.
We spend a fortune on gifts, food, party's and getting everyone over to my house...

Christmas for us (who take religion as an insult and don't get it in Christmas (see below)) is just to have an awesome time, and we will do whatever we need to get it.

You may say Christmas is not about the gifts... and its not, but it is still amazing to get a pile of stuff to be like... cool!

So I think they should buy gifts for everyone and lower the price of each gift.

[krzych32]

"who take religion as an insult and don't get it in Christmas"

What?

[Sean]

We are not religious in any way shape or form...

If someone trys to make our Christmas religious it will really piss us off.

For example some "bible bashers" (speakers) came to our door... lets just say they got a door in their face.

[Ryan]

The reason that small children are getting gifts and not teenagers is that, teenagers can somewhat understand that money is tight. Since their gifts are usually more expensive anyway, since their tastes in gifts are developed and they know what they like, their gifts are also tougher to buy in today's economy.

So, it is easy to explain to a teenager that, "I'm sorry, but because of the economy we won't be exchanging gifts this year" where as the little kid would not understand this.

Also, little kid gifts tend not to be very costly either in the sense that if a small child gives you something for christmas, usually it is a cheap amusing thing, or something they made. So it makes sense that gift exchanging should only be done with small children when money is tight.

A further point is that if you give gifts to the small children it will train them (hopefully) that the holiday is about gift giving, so that in future christmases they might continue to give gifts when the economy is better. A teenager should have already learned the value of chirstmas and thus be ok that they have to take a year off.

Something else to consider, if your family is only giving gifts to the younger members, that means that you also only have to give gifts to the younger members. All around - it is beneficial when money is tight to not give at all, and if you're going to give, give to the younger as this solution is the least costly and most beneficial of all the other possible situations.

[Flappy]

Dec 3, 2010 16:04:49 GMT -5 Sean said:

We are not religious in any way shape or form...

If someone trys to make our Christmas religious it will really piss us off.

For example some "bible bashers" (speakers) came to our door... lets just say they got a door in their face.

Since most of my family is religious, I've kind of come to terms with it. But I understand how it can be insulting. People coming, trying to convert you, of all things, right in the middle of your celebration. So rude.

Dec 3, 2010 15:24:31 GMT -5 Sean said:

Presents are a huge part of our Christmas.
We spend a fortune on gifts, food, party's and getting everyone over to my house...

Christmas for us (who take religion as an insult and don't get it in Christmas (see below)) is just to have an awesome time, and we will do whatever we need to get it.

You may say Christmas is not about the gifts... and its not, but it is still amazing to get a pile of stuff to be like... cool!

So I think they should buy gifts for everyone and lower the price of each gift.

I don't disagree. In fact, that probably makes more sense. But if you had to choose?

Dec 3, 2010 15:09:09 GMT -5 Breepop said:

1. Younger children are more likely to see Christmas as a time to receive presents, not for what it is. Adults tend to appease this. Not giving a gift to a child just seems... wrong.

Not to me. Like I said, why waste the money on something they'll lose interest in once the next big thing comes along?

2. Younger children are easier to shop for. They don't have much, they're pleased with a lot/not nearly as picky, and there are a lot of very cheap, but awesome gifts for that age range. Giving and receiving money as a gift is, frankly, quite boring (compared to a physical gift).

It's easier to go shopping then to not even have to go shopping? How so? Also, you gotta be kidding me, "kids aren't nearly as picky", you get a kid something they don't want and they'll throw it aside and pick up whatever they got that they did want. (I've seen it happen.)

3. Giving a gift to a cute kid is more fun than giving to an unappreciative teenager or adult.

Kids are far less likely to be appreciative of any gift, ever. How often do you see a kid say thanks and hug the person who gave it to them without being told? A hell of a lot less than a teenager. Sure there are the few times when you have a real jerk of a teenager, but I'm willing to bet the majority of teens would be appreciative if they got some extra money in their pocket.

4. I'm not sure where you got the idea otherwise, but in my experience, children appreciate gifts a heccccccccccck of a lot more than older people. Even money. Kids get $5 and they're on cloud nine.

Then you completely misunderstand why they're "on cloud nine". They're not happy that their relative thought of them at all, they're just happy they have money. At least with a teen you get both.

My cousin is the youngest person in my extended family now (17), and a few years ago, we just all agreed that we would either not give gifts on Christmas at all, or just give very small, inexpensive gifts. You'll realize that presents have nothing to do with Christmas. Watching home videos from Christmas when I was a kid is hilarious. There's this constant shouting from me and my cousins like, "OH GOD, CLOTHES!? Is this all we get? Noooooooooo" Now it's just like, "Oh, I get to eat amazing food while hanging out with my awesome family? BEST DAY EVER." Presents are still given by immediate family, of course (e.g. my parents still give my brother and I epic gifts on Christmas, and my aunts and uncles do the same for my cousins), so the younger of us spend a bit of time sharing the gifts we got after dinner.

Is your point that I think Christmas is all about giving gifts? If so, you're wrong, but this topic is about giving and recieving gifts.

It may be the case that younger teens (13-15) can sometimes be just as immature as the even younger kids, but I still think (or at least hope) the majority of them would be more appreciative than the younger ones.)

Dec 3, 2010 17:43:38 GMT -5 Ryan said:

The reason that small children are getting gifts and not teenagers is that, teenagers can somewhat understand that money is tight. Since their gifts are usually more expensive anyway, since their tastes in gifts are developed and they know what they like, their gifts are also tougher to buy in today's economy.

This I can understand. Though children's gifts are actually quite expensive. At least they can be. I dunno, but if I had to choose, I still think I'd go with the teen.

So, it is easy to explain to a teenager that, "I'm sorry, but because of the economy we won't be exchanging gifts this year" where as the little kid would not understand this.

I don't think that embracing a child's ignorance is a really great thing, however. Just me though. I don't feel like they shouldn't get presents at all, I'd just rather get someone a gift they'll appreciate (and I'm not saying they won't appreciate, I'm just saying they probably won't...

Also, little kid gifts tend not to be very costly either in the sense that if a small child gives you something for christmas, usually it is a cheap amusing thing, or something they made. So it makes sense that gift exchanging should only be done with small children when money is tight.

I dunno if it's just me, but I think I've only gotten a gift from a younger relative once. But he's an adorable chipmunk, so it's cool...lol

A further point is that if you give gifts to the small children it will train them (hopefully) that the holiday is about gift giving, so that in future christmases they might continue to give gifts when the economy is better. A teenager should have already learned the value of chirstmas and thus be ok that they have to take a year off.

Maybe, maybe not...I dunno, I suppose you're right.

Something else to consider, if your family is only giving gifts to the younger members, that means that you also only have to give gifts to the younger members. All around - it is beneficial when money is tight to not give at all, and if you're going to give, give to the younger as this solution is the least costly and most beneficial of all the other possible situations.

I dunno...I mean, the only thing I can think to give a kid, really, is Lego's, but even I haven't really started to appreciate Lego's until now. But they're fun...so...but yeah, I can't really afford anything this year...except maybe something for my mom, sister, and maybe one of my cousins (a certain one, not just like any one).

[Sean]

If I had to choose get them for the younger kids... otherwise you will be faced with "THATTTSSS NOT FAIIRRRR!!!! How come (older sibling) gets presents and I dont...

[Ryan]

Sean makes a good point.

Also, a younger kid may not appreciate the gift but an older kid (teenager) can appreciate the reason they might not get a gift. Embracing ignorance is bad, but a childs ignorance is not a choice and so it shouldn't be considered as the same type of ignorance that you were referring to.

Really, I don't understand why it's a big issue. Are you a teenager getting the bad end of this deal? If so this thread is about you venting your selfishness for wanting gifts that you won't get (bad holiday spirit). If you're not getting the bad end of the stick then it doesn't make sense to bother arguing as you get to scar money if you'd like or give more gifts and be extra generous should you choose.

[Sean]

I'm just glad i'm not in that situation... and we can go ahead as normal spending (probably far to much) money.

Thanks hard working parents <3

[marypo]

I would think it's because the older kids are expected to be more understanding but you've kinda blown that theory out of the water, haven't you?

[newschooled]

How about this: It's Christmas morning. You're 7 years old. And Your 14 year old brother just unwrapped a brand new *insert awesome present here*. And then you get nothing.

</thread>

[Sean]

I know, younger kids will get jealous and that will ruin their Christmas...

An example I can think of is right now I am 15 and my younger sister is 8....

Every dinner time I eat a big plate full, where as she gets a smaller plate full... she doesn't get the concept that she is younger and does not need a huge plate of food... so she gets pissed off.

Imagen rather than plates it is a pile of gifts...

If her pile had one small "cheap as chips" thing... and mine had a large amount worth a heck of a lot more she would go mad, as would any other 7-8 year old.

Now reverse it... I have the small pile and she has the mahoosive pile...
She will be over the moon and will have an amazing Xmas... I will be fine with it because I understand that money is not growing on trees...

But then you have the other factor that the young kid is going to be butthurt for a few days... the older kid will be silently butthurt for a few days... however the old kid is going to remember for alot longer... whereas the small kid will forget next time something big happens.

So it's tough to choose... I would still say gifts for all! Even if they arn't 42" Blue Ray plazma screen TV's...

[0netnet0]

Dec 2, 2010 23:49:06 GMT -5 Flappy said:

So in light of the recent economy, some of the members of my family have decided to buy gifts only for the younger kids (around ages 1-10), and not buy them for the older kids.

Now my problem is, why?

Why would you buy a gift for a young kid who'll get bored of it in a couple weeks, rather than get a gift card or some money to a teenager who will actually appreciate it?

Discuss.

Either you cut down on everyone's presents or you keep it the same. Why do little kids deserve more? Because they whine more? Maybe I'll whine and get my present too.

[ryan]

it all depends on the kid/teen

[CMYK]

It doesn't matter how old you are, In the spirt of giving,
we all like to be thought of.

[krzych32]

Why bring this thread back. It was so childish from the very start it's just stupid.