I know. The title is not what you would think to hear from me. But, it’s true.
If you invite me to your child’s birthday party, I will probably buy them something plastic.
But it’s not what you think. In fact, I could have titled this Why Gift Cards are the Best Gift Ever. But, let’s move on.
I know I’ve said it before: stop filling my house with stuff. Plastic, wooden, metal, magnets, snaps or clips. I don’t want it. Errr… most of it (yes, my kids both have Amazon wishlists… the grandparents would be lost without it!). So when it comes to gifts, why do I buy plastic? …because some plastic offers experience.
I’ll never forget certain gifts I got as a child: tickets to ice shows, an amazing lunch in New York for my 16th, seeing the Lipizzaner horse show with my Dad. Experiences.
So, I started giving gift cards. For favorite restaurants, places to shop, or for credit to shop anywhere! Although I remember a few years ago, the thought was gift cards are so impersonal. For me, gift cards have always been my favorite. I get to treat myself and my family to great meals, shop for things I would never give myself the opportunity to, and put money towards whatever I want- even some bills!
When it comes to my kids… and maybe even yours, I want to give you the same freedom. So I shop plastic! I hearken back to my 2016 word: autonomy. I am giving others autonomy to get what they want. And I love knowing that others can have an experience on me! My spark was ignited when, a few weeks ago, a friend of mine in Philly answered my text of “What can I send to ***** for his birthday?”
“I really want to be honest. I feel like I can be that with you…” So many sentences start like that with my friends and myself. I feel honored. And yes, you can always be honest with me. “*** and I really want to get him a swing set! Like the wooden one you were talking about! Remember?” She was talking a mile a minute. “We cleared the ground and measured and we’re saving, but we would love to give it to him for his birthday and, well, I know you know what happens when you have good intentions.”
“Yeah, the total road to Hell.” We laughed, but I pushed her. “What can I give you? Cash? A gift card?”
“We’re shopping at BJ’s for the same one you like. Maybe a gift card?” She paused. “Oh. Oh God. How embarrassing. I shouldn’t have asked.”
We sent a gift card. And, as I do during birthday season, which runs from mid-winter to summer, I designate $20-35 per child (I wish we could do more, but for now, that’s where we’re at!) and work within that for every birthday.
As I write this, I ask friends to please ASK FOR WHAT YOUR CHILD NEEDS. What you need!
Do you want to bring your child to Disney? Ask for gift cards. Ask for cash. Ask. Ask. Ask,
After Addie’s first birthday someone mentioned to me they were offended we shared that she had a wishlist. To be honest, we made one because Addie could not use many toys for kids 12+ months. She just wasn’t there, and we wanted her to have things for where she was. But, as I saw her enjoy the perfect gifts for her, I realized, I wanted that for her every year. I wanted her to enjoy her birthday- almost like the holidays- with gifts perfect for where she is in life. So, I offered my apologies and explained why we shared her wishlist… and this person still didn’t like it. “Back in my day…” and oh my, have I been back in the day!
But we are in this day. I want to give your child something awesome. Something they will remember. And not remember about me, but about their parent, or their choice. Yep, their choice.
A few weeks ago Addie told me she wanted to take me to lunch. “If we go the The (Corner) Bakery now, we can’t go next week with friends because we don’t have enough for that right now. So do you want to go this week, or next?”
“I want to go with friends next week. I want to save my Bakery money.”
So… we saved it. And we went to lunch the following week together. And Addie decided that.
Having gift cards has given Addie the tools to manage money.
She is 3.
Three.
She takes me out to lunch. She asks me if she can get new leggings. She wants to know if a treat is “in the budget”.
#nailedit kid. You nailed it. And because she gives so much thought to whether we, as a family or she, herself, can afford something, I often share with her how we get there. “Want to go out to eat tonight?” I give her a teaser to dinner as we head to dance class Tuesday nights. “YES!” She exclaims. Well, dinner is free for you at Uno’s tonight, so let’s go! This has led her to wanting her birthday party here. And taught her to coupon, plan, ask for what she wants and budget to get there.
And I love that. I love her ability to plan ahead.
So, I love gift cards. I love the experience they give to us. I love the option to eat/shop/get what we need, as individuals. As family. And I love the lesson. To save, spend, or share our money (yes, I’ve used gift cards given to me to buy things for those who need).
And so, I leave you with this: ask for what your child would love. Ask for what they need. Ask for what works best for you- as a family. Just ask. Let’s stop being embarrassed because we want our kids to have the latest Shopkins, or because we want to give them the gift of tickets to a musical that we would love funds to afford. Let’s ask for the opportunity to have a family dinner out.
Let’s ask.
As a writer and marketer in the world of B2B Gift Cards, I do love this!! lol. Surprisingly the giver of gift cards feels more uncomfortable than the receiver of gift cards…it’s great to get something to get whatever it is you want/need, etc.
Jennifer D recently posted…Smoking at Work: Not What it Used to Be
I meant to talk to you about this today… but all I could remember was “toolbox”! I think GC has a bad rep years ago because stores wanted us to buy product, but so many people want to shop for themselves!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Why I Still Buy Plastic Gifts
I totally get what you’re saying and I think it’s a wonderful idea for birthdays and the way you’re teaching your daughter about money in the process is awesome! I always give gift cards when I don’t know the person well enough to know what they love. What I don’t like is when an entire family exchanges gift cards with each other at Christmas. It seems (to me) that it’s saying “I didn’t care enough to actually listen and find out what you want.” I have given gift cards to my family at Christmas, but it’s always in addition to that perfect gift that they go crazy over when they open it.
Alli recently posted…5 Tips for Ordering Furniture Online
Oh no! Family Christmas gifts are all about hunting for the right thing!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Why I Still Buy Plastic Gifts
Look, I’m a total and complete fan of the plastic. I love gift cards, it allows me to get what I want. My favorite place to get them for is Target because I always want something from Target.
My kids also love them, it makes them feel grown up when they hand them to the cashier. It also teaches them to manage their money.
Amen!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Why I Still Buy Plastic Gifts
Great post! We love gift cards too. I think it does give a lot more freedom and allows for an experience.
So true!
Back in the day I would have said gift cards are impersonal but these days I use them and get the so often that I can not imagine not having them. Great post, I love giving my brother and his family gift cards so they can get what they want
Miranda (Anosa) recently posted…Travel Blogging: From Dream To RealityÂ
Times have totally changed with the thinking around gift cards- I totally think so, at least!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Why I Still Buy Plastic Gifts
My daughter is at that age where it is nearly impossible to buy for her. She has to try clothing on, her music changes daily, etc. etc!! So gift cards have become my go-to gift item for her. It allows her to choose and saves me a lot of headaches!
Oh I bet! Love that!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Why I Still Buy Plastic Gifts
I love getting gift cards, especially from Amazon! My family knows now that that’s all they need to get me 🙂
Right!?
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Why I Still Buy Plastic Gifts
I love getting and giving gift cards. Sometimes I never know what to tell people to get me and my friends are the same way so gift cards are perfect.
They really are! I love giving and getting them as well.
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Why I Still Buy Plastic Gifts
I think it’s great when a gift card allows you to give someone exactly what they want. Asking definitely takes some getting used to.
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It REALLY does!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Why I Still Buy Plastic Gifts
I have to agree with you. While my kids do like to open gifts, they certainly love to have a gift card andgo and select their own gifts.
It’s so fun to watch them shop and budget for themselves!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Why I Still Buy Plastic Gifts
I love gift cards too!! Giving gift cards is a great gift to give others so they can get exactly what they want. Great post!! Thank you for sharing with us 🙂
Thank you!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Why I Still Buy Plastic Gifts
I love giving and receiving gift cards. I know a lot of people dislike them but they are exactly what people want and need.
So true!
Chelley @ A is For Adelaide recently posted…Cloth Diapering Series!
I see nothing wrong with plastic gifts! Look I have a birthday coming up send it all my way I dont mind at all!
Kiwi recently posted…How To Scrub A Dub Dub Your Face + Combination Skin Types
LOL! I’ll keep that in mind 😉
Chelley @ A is For Adelaide recently posted…Cloth Diapering Series!
I love giving and getting gift cards and my favorite place to get them is from Amazon!!
One of my faves, too!
Chelley @ A is For Adelaide recently posted…Cloth Diapering Series!
I give plastic gifts too…can’t help it! Sometimes I just do not know what the person will like but I know the favorite store. Thank goodness for this convenience!
I love giving my friends the gift of shopping!
I love giving and receiving gift cards, especially Amazon gift cards, because I love shopping at Amazon. You can’t go wrong a gift card, your leaving the tough choices to the gift recipient lol.
That’s so true!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Cloth Diapering Series!
I love giving gift cards for someone I don’t know well. I think it’s also a great way for my kids to learn to spend money and save money for themselves.
I love that, too! Gotta learn somehow!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Cloth Diapering Series!
I actually like gift card gifts. Some people don’t but it allows me to get what I want. How are some people supposed to know what to actually gift? I am down with plastic gifts all the way
I’m a big fan of gift cards. I never considered them as a way to teach children about budgeting but I love how you use the gift cards to teach your daughter about money and budgeting. Such a great idea!
They’re awesome for that!