Comments on: Don’t Ask http://mothersofbrothers.com/dont-ask/ All about life with boys...and life in general Sat, 21 Dec 2019 17:09:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Sue http://mothersofbrothers.com/dont-ask/comment-page-1/#comment-5208 Sue Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:25:48 +0000 http://mothersofbrothers.com/?p=1041#comment-5208 So true! It's hard for us since Maya's birthday is a month before Christmas and she usually gets too much for that. I'm thinking of doing the Amazon wish list this year, at least it will give the grandparents something to choose from. I do, however, think that the gifts that she enjoys the most were totally unexpected (and not most expensive). One of the best birthday parties that we went to last year requested dog and cat toy donations for an animal shelter instead of presents for the birthday kid, then the family took the presents to the shelter. As an aside, do you know of a good place to donate used but good toys this time of year? So true! It’s hard for us since Maya’s birthday is a month before Christmas and she usually gets too much for that. I’m thinking of doing the Amazon wish list this year, at least it will give the grandparents something to choose from. I do, however, think that the gifts that she enjoys the most were totally unexpected (and not most expensive).

One of the best birthday parties that we went to last year requested dog and cat toy donations for an animal shelter instead of presents for the birthday kid, then the family took the presents to the shelter.

As an aside, do you know of a good place to donate used but good toys this time of year?

]]> By: Anne http://mothersofbrothers.com/dont-ask/comment-page-1/#comment-5207 Anne Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:13:38 +0000 http://mothersofbrothers.com/?p=1041#comment-5207 When I was growing up, my Mom had this yellow legal pad that she stuffed in a drawer in the pantry. On it, she'd record everyone's gifts down to the penny. And it drove her CRAZY. She hates that yellow legal pad with a passion...and of course, nobody ever consulted my Dad either. We're old enough now that she can loosen up a bit and buy gifts that inspire her. You'll reach that day too someday! When I was growing up, my Mom had this yellow legal pad that she stuffed in a drawer in the pantry. On it, she’d record everyone’s gifts down to the penny. And it drove her CRAZY. She hates that yellow legal pad with a passion…and of course, nobody ever consulted my Dad either. We’re old enough now that she can loosen up a bit and buy gifts that inspire her. You’ll reach that day too someday!

]]> By: rjga http://mothersofbrothers.com/dont-ask/comment-page-1/#comment-5205 rjga Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:04:40 +0000 http://mothersofbrothers.com/?p=1041#comment-5205 UGH! It absolutely makes me crazy! In our immediate family, we have the only children (and there is only 2 of them). But 3 sets of grandparents, 3 sets of aunts/uncles, 2 sets of great aunts/uncles. All with no other children to buy gifts for. And G-d forbid I give one grandparent a better suggestion than the other grandparent. Then I am big trouble with someone. The sad part is that my kids want very little. When asked, they can not come up with much. Maybe that is because we buy them stuff during the year as they need it. They end up feeling guilty that they can't come up with the thing that will bring them eternal happiness (or at least a few days) and make Gramma feel good. Last year some did donations to charities in their names, but they were a little disappointed at nothing to open. Can't win! UGH! It absolutely makes me crazy! In our immediate family, we have the only children (and there is only 2 of them). But 3 sets of grandparents, 3 sets of aunts/uncles, 2 sets of great aunts/uncles. All with no other children to buy gifts for. And G-d forbid I give one grandparent a better suggestion than the other grandparent. Then I am big trouble with someone.

The sad part is that my kids want very little. When asked, they can not come up with much. Maybe that is because we buy them stuff during the year as they need it. They end up feeling guilty that they can’t come up with the thing that will bring them eternal happiness (or at least a few days) and make Gramma feel good. Last year some did donations to charities in their names, but they were a little disappointed at nothing to open. Can’t win!

]]> By: RuthWells http://mothersofbrothers.com/dont-ask/comment-page-1/#comment-5204 RuthWells Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:22:11 +0000 http://mothersofbrothers.com/?p=1041#comment-5204 I am in the thick of this dilemma myself, just now. Our solution was to have the kids create a joint Amazon wish list and I'm emailing the link to those who ask. It is something of a cop-out, but I just can't deal with the list management anymore! I am in the thick of this dilemma myself, just now. Our solution was to have the kids create a joint Amazon wish list and I’m emailing the link to those who ask. It is something of a cop-out, but I just can’t deal with the list management anymore!

]]> By: Elizabeth http://mothersofbrothers.com/dont-ask/comment-page-1/#comment-5202 Elizabeth Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:51:41 +0000 http://mothersofbrothers.com/?p=1041#comment-5202 Great post, Emily! It got me thinking about the people in my life who bought me gifts as a kid. My Aunt Nancy and Uncle Dave ALWAYS bought me the greatest gifts. Sometimes it was something my mom had told them (The Pee-Wee Herman Pull Toy -- "I know you are but what am I" -- no joke), and sometimes they were just inspired (the Speak and Spell, one of the all-time greatest toys for a kid who loved language). Great post, Emily! It got me thinking about the people in my life who bought me gifts as a kid. My Aunt Nancy and Uncle Dave ALWAYS bought me the greatest gifts. Sometimes it was something my mom had told them (The Pee-Wee Herman Pull Toy — “I know you are but what am I” — no joke), and sometimes they were just inspired (the Speak and Spell, one of the all-time greatest toys for a kid who loved language).

]]>