Kids and Valentines?

[gidget1978]

Is it just me or as the gift giving become a bit extreme? I went to the store today to get DH a card for V-day but we decided not to exchange gifts. Then I thought...geez...I have to get something for DD and DS so I start looking through the cards. Then I think...oh...Im probably going to need something for my neices who are 4 and 6 b/c there is no doubt that their mother bought my kids something for v-day.
Then I got to thinking..is this really necassary? This should just be between grown ups...husband and wife, girlfriend and boyfriend, why do I feel the need to spend money on every child that I know? I knew it was pointless to go to the dollar store and buy a card for the kids b/c they would be sold out so I opted to not buy the $3 card for each child.We all know what really happens to cards. They either get thrown out or put in a box forever! Instead I got each girl and treat and a little stuffed toy, DD some eye shadow and a treat, and DS a small treat cause he is only 2. You watch, my SIL will come over today with a movie for DS and something else for DD.
So I end up spending almost $40 on nothing. Things that will be eaten, or things that will get thrown to the bottom of the toy chest just b/c we have started this whole racket of gift giving for ever holiday.
DD came home from school last year saying that someone in her class recieved a game boy DS for easter. I said..."to bad, here is your chocolate!" LOL Seriously....$200 for easter?
Is it just me? Am I becoming a complete tight wad? Add the holidays to all the b-day parties and I am constintly buying presents!

Lori

 

[kgalas]

Lori, I am right there with you. Things have gotten way out of hand with kids getting gifts and treats for every little thing. What happened to doing something nice instead of buying something. They get as much candy for Valentine's and Easter as they do for Halloween! My 3 dds get gifts at Christmas and their birthdays-and they are minor compared to what their friends get. At Easter, they get some candy and maybe a small toy from the Easter Bunny. MIL gets them clothes! And they get baskets from my parents and DH's dad. Too much stuff!

My husband and I don't even exchange gifts/cards. We try and show our love to each other every day, not just on Hallmark holidays.

 

[elliemom]

Oh Thank God- other mom's who are in their right mind!!!!
Ever since pre-school started I was shocked with all the celebrations and parties and goodies etc. I thought "why are these moms giving all these kids so much candy"???? It was gross.

Once Kindergarten started (Catholic school) the principal nun said NO to all parties except Halloween and Christmas. And the room mom (me) can decide what the kids are doing within a certain limit. It was so out of control the years before. Parents would bring in balloon bouqets and gifts for the kids on their birthdays!!!! That should be done at home. On Halloween every parent sent in a goody bag with candy and junk etc. There are 30 kids in the classroom. Do the math!!!!

Now, we only allow a small party with fruits, veggies, chicken nuggets etc. And a small treat like pencils or stickers.

My boys are 5 and 8 and they are NOT getting a video game for Easter!!!! These parents are sooooo out of control. No wonder there are so many out of control kids. They expect something and they get it!!! Not here.

Oh and don't even get me started on the birthday party thing...........

ellie

 

[kgalas]

Ellie, in our school conduct handbook there is a "no limo" policy!! Apparently, at some point kids were getting picked up in limos to go to bday parties, etc. WTH? I didn't even have a limo for my wedding! And no balloons, etc. at our school, too.

I'm on our school's wellness committee and we just finished our blood drive-Pint Sized Heros. The kids who recruited donors get a tiny plush blood cell. Can you believe I had the school calling me, saying parents were wondering when the kids were getting their prizes!! It's supposed to be about teaching the kids about community service, but instead it becomes about getting a prize. These parents amaze me!

Ok, sorry to Lori for hijacking the thread. But it all starts with the parents-be it birthday parties, treats, etc. And there are some choice ones out there!

 

[gidget1978]

Thankgoodness! I thought I was being a total *itch today I was just talking to my SIL and she said, " do you have anything for the kids"? I thought she meant her kids but she meant mine! Soooo...good she didn't get my kids anything! Although I still spent about $14 on her kids, I will probably keep the small toy to go with a b-day party DS as later this month.

Lori

 

[elliemom]

Lori- to answer your question- Yes, Valentines for kids is a big waste of time and money and Paper. They have no idea what any of it means and it's not really "for" them. There has to be someone to "just say no". It gets harder each year too to get someone a "little something" because they get older and that little something becomes a "big something"

A NO LIMO policy. OMG. That is sooooo ridculous I am speechless. I LOVE my children with all my heart and wish I could make everyday of their lives special, but NOT with a limo or party or balloons or presents!!!

Klaudia- those parents would not have been very happy with my answer!!!! I have had to "gently" (yeah right) remind parents what it is all about.
I was kind of happy to see economic times halt some peoples spending. Because all they spend it on is more junk for their kids. And there is one child in my son's class with an I-pod shuffle!!!!!

ellie

 

[gidget1978]

Oh...a limo picked up my DD last year for a b-day party Took the kids to a cabin with the parents, and we had to pick them up the next day. Of course the girls LOVED it ...but it left me thinking "WTH?" How much did that cost? I also live in a town where people are constintly competing, I never did get wrapped up in that b/c I don't have the time, nor do I care. We live in a small town where alot of people make good money, and they want everyone to know it.
I have a friend who rented the arena here for a car show for her kids...can you imagine? She loves to spend money while her husband tries to keep her under control. Sometimes I wonder what I even have in common with these people.

Lori