Scenario: You have a child from a previous marriage. Your spouse's family gave your child some very nice and very thoughtul Christmas gifts. You in turn had not given the relatives gifts from your child. You take your child to Dave and Busters Christmas evening. As the child is cashing in his or her coupons for items, your child decides to spend coupons on the people that gave him or her Christmas gifts. The child decides to do so because it was mentioned to the child that the family had gifts for him or her.
Do you let your child gift them the cheesy gifts from the Dave and Busters award case or do you tell your child that you think it is very thoughtful of him or her to want to give them gifts and encourage your child to allow you to take them to the mall so they can purchase something more appropriate for the spouses family (i.e gift cards music, etc)
Is it tacky to allow your child to give whatever they see fit or do you think children need to be taught how to give gifts?
2006-12-27 15:06:24 · 3 answers · asked by femmenoire@sbcglobal.net 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
First I have to say that I think it's wonderful for your child to want to be so generous. I wouldn't take away the opportunity from your child to use his/her coupons that he/she could have used for himself on others. But you could also encourage the child to choose gifts that he/she thinks the recipient would like. As the child gets older, he'll have more resources and will therefore be able to get them nicer gifts, while still sacrificing and therefore enjoying the blessings of sacrifice. You're a great mom!
2006-12-27 16:02:20 · answer #1 · answered by drshorty 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Both! Allow them to give what they desire and also teach them how to give gifts. Take them to a special place where you are able to get their attention . . . .like for ice cream, feeding the ducks, whatever works for your child. Ask them to describe the person in question. What do they like to do? What do they like/ dislike? Brainstorm! Set a budget per gift and agree on a gift. Work together to wrap it and perhaps add the cheesy gifts as part of the package decor??? Sometimes it works, but it depends on the item and who it is for. Praise them for their hard work and generous spirit . . . after all they have given their time they could be playing. Generosity is a character trait developed and taught. It is also a wonderful time for bonding as well. Excellent questions!
2006-12-27 15:27:17 · answer #2 · answered by Tj aka Mom 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A bit of both would be nice. So your child can still say that they picked the gift out themsleves, even if you gavethem some guidance towards a particular gift.
2006-12-27 16:22:10 · answer #3 · answered by Matt 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋