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"choosing" gifts for kids



 
 
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  #21  
Old August 2nd 04, 09:17 PM
Donna Metler
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Default "choosing" gifts for kids


My whole family and all my in-laws knew I did not want Barbie in my
house. So for my oldest daughter's 5th birthday, she got: a Barbie
house, a Barbie Jeep, a Barbie dog, a Barbie horse, a Ken, a few of
the Kelly dolls and I lost count of how many Barbies. I was so mad.
And that Christmas both the kids got Barbie sheets for their beds. It
was like everyone did it on purpose. I just didn't want Barbie crap
cluttering up the house, but it did. I finally got rid of most of it
last year.
So if your family is like mine, they won't care if you tell them no
Barbies. I have no idea why people think Barbie is mandantory for
girls.
Marie

My pet peeve (after visiting my SIL, who has a 2 yr old) is that every
single kids' toy out there makes NOISE. I spend my working days trying to
get children comfortable with making music themselves, and from the days in
the crib on, every single toy seems bent on doing it for them. Usually with
the most hideous, electronic sounds (and with my trained ears, it's
downright painful in some cases). I can understand the music boxes in baby
things (and most of them sound decent), but WHY does a Fisher-Price school
bus need to play "The Wheels on the Bus"?

Given my BIL's reaction to that statement, I strongly suspect that this baby
will never see a non-noisemaking toy from that family. Arrghh...



  #22  
Old August 2nd 04, 09:40 PM
Barbara Bomberger
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Default "choosing" gifts for kids

On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 13:53:55 -0400, Marie
wrote:

On 2 Aug 2004 10:39:04 -0700, (ted) wrote:
a present"? In fact I would love to say "please donot bring anything
related to barbie" but I know that sounds off. Personally I detest
barbie dolls and I would be very disappointed if my kid(s) like barbie
stuff LOL. I'm not the pink and frilly kind and I don't want them to
be either.


My whole family and all my in-laws knew I did not want Barbie in my
house. So for my oldest daughter's 5th birthday, she got: a Barbie
house, a Barbie Jeep, a Barbie dog, a Barbie horse, a Ken, a few of
the Kelly dolls and I lost count of how many Barbies. I was so mad.
And that Christmas both the kids got Barbie sheets for their beds. It
was like everyone did it on purpose. I just didn't want Barbie crap
cluttering up the house, but it did. I finally got rid of most of it
last year.
So if your family is like mine, they won't care if you tell them no
Barbies. I have no idea why people think Barbie is mandantory for
girls.
Marie


Because most girls between about four and seven loved the things, even
if the parents dont? And getting presents is about what the KIDS will
like, for the most part.

I had a daughter who was a science whiz, and dissected bugs (really,
not just smushed them) at age five. Shes grown up healthy and average
and with a good brain even though she was allowed barbies.

My only objection to barbies is the exact same reaction that I have to
both legos and micr machines - the loose pieces kill the feet on the
floor.

Other than that, whats the problem?

  #23  
Old August 2nd 04, 09:41 PM
glunk
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Default "choosing" gifts for kids


"Banty" wrote in message
...
In article 1fvPc.7351$go.1989@fed1read07, Circe says...

Marie wrote:
I have no idea why people think Barbie is mandantory for
girls.


Maybe because the typical 4-6yo girl likes them and they're not exactly

the
spawn of the devil?


LOL!

Hear hear. With birthday parties I do sympathize with the sheer amount of

STUFF
that it leads to, but, if one has strong socio-political-taste objections
regarding kids' toys, one has to either set those aside, be prepared to

intecede
(at home after the party), or just not have a birthday party.

And Barbies are not the spawn of the devil. (Oh NO Banty doncha know

they're a
plot by the International Association of Anorexics looking for a steady

stream
of recruits!)

This goes for boys-guns, etc. etc.

Banty


Incidentally, what ever happened to the announcement I heard on the news
several years ago that Barbie was going to be remodelled to be shaped like a
normal human woman?


  #24  
Old August 2nd 04, 09:46 PM
Peggy
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Default "choosing" gifts for kids

"Donna Metler" wrote in message
...

My whole family and all my in-laws knew I did not want Barbie in my
house. So for my oldest daughter's 5th birthday, she got: a Barbie
house, a Barbie Jeep, a Barbie dog, a Barbie horse, a Ken, a few of
the Kelly dolls and I lost count of how many Barbies. I was so mad.
And that Christmas both the kids got Barbie sheets for their beds. It
was like everyone did it on purpose. I just didn't want Barbie crap
cluttering up the house, but it did. I finally got rid of most of it
last year.
So if your family is like mine, they won't care if you tell them no
Barbies. I have no idea why people think Barbie is mandantory for
girls.
Marie

My pet peeve (after visiting my SIL, who has a 2 yr old) is that every
single kids' toy out there makes NOISE. I spend my working days trying to
get children comfortable with making music themselves, and from the days

in
the crib on, every single toy seems bent on doing it for them. Usually

with
the most hideous, electronic sounds (and with my trained ears, it's
downright painful in some cases). I can understand the music boxes in baby
things (and most of them sound decent), but WHY does a Fisher-Price school
bus need to play "The Wheels on the Bus"?

Given my BIL's reaction to that statement, I strongly suspect that this

baby
will never see a non-noisemaking toy from that family. Arrghh...




Here's a very helpful tip passed on to me by a fellow parent:
Burn a candle and let the melting wax drip in to the speaker of the very
noisy toy. This muffles the sound while still allowing the child to enjoy
the toy. It doesn't hurt the toy at all either. May void any warranty, but
at least your ears won't hurt!
Peggy


  #25  
Old August 2nd 04, 09:46 PM
Bruce Bridgman and Jeanne Yang
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Default "choosing" gifts for kids


"ted" wrote in message
om...
Is it appropriate to mention that you prefer/do not prefer certain
kinds of gifts in a birthday party? For example, is it okay to say in
the birthday invite something like "please bring only a small book as
a present"? In fact I would love to say "please donot bring anything
related to barbie" but I know that sounds off.


Like others, I would not mention what gifts not to bring (or to bring) in
the invitation. Usually, in RSVP'ing the parent of the invitee asks what
kinds of stuff does the child like. Also, when the kids are school-aged,
they generally know what the birthday kid likes. So, if DD likes Polly
Pockets and horses, she'll probably get Polly Pockets and horse things no
matter how I feel about itty bitty dolls and even ittier bittier
accessories.

Personally I detest
barbie dolls and I would be very disappointed if my kid(s) like barbie
stuff LOL. I'm not the pink and frilly kind and I don't want them to
be either.


Well, I usually buy what the child likes and wants, instead of what the
parents likes and wants.
You may not have a choice in what your child likes or how she will be. She
may be a pink girly girl although you're the tomboy type. DD loves to wear
dresses even though I haven't worn a dress since before she was born.
Lately, she has decided to wear her skirts and dresses with her workboots
(for horseback riding). It makes a statement that I personally wouldn't
make, but it's her choice and her statement.

Jeanne


  #26  
Old August 2nd 04, 09:52 PM
Ericka Kammerer
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Default "choosing" gifts for kids

ted wrote:

Is it appropriate to mention that you prefer/do not prefer certain
kinds of gifts in a birthday party? For example, is it okay to say in
the birthday invite something like "please bring only a small book as
a present"? In fact I would love to say "please donot bring anything
related to barbie" but I know that sounds off. Personally I detest
barbie dolls and I would be very disappointed if my kid(s) like barbie
stuff LOL. I'm not the pink and frilly kind and I don't want them to
be either.


Sorry, but there really isn't any way to do that
other than saying, "No gifts, please" and even that is
dicey. (It's against etiquette rules to say "no gifts"
but a few etiquette mavens are starting to soften on that
issue as long as it's done very tactfully.) Gift giving
is always the prerogative of the giver. One doesn't get
to issue a list of demands. If you don't want Barbie things,
discuss with your daughter ahead of time that you don't
approve and if she gets any of them, she will discreetly
exchange them (if possible) or give them away (you can
replace them with something different, if you like).
Of course, she will still thank the giver very nicely
and she will keep quiet about the exchange or donation.

Best wishes,
Ericka

  #27  
Old August 2nd 04, 10:02 PM
Banty
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Default "choosing" gifts for kids

In article , Donna Metler says...


My whole family and all my in-laws knew I did not want Barbie in my
house. So for my oldest daughter's 5th birthday, she got: a Barbie
house, a Barbie Jeep, a Barbie dog, a Barbie horse, a Ken, a few of
the Kelly dolls and I lost count of how many Barbies. I was so mad.
And that Christmas both the kids got Barbie sheets for their beds. It
was like everyone did it on purpose. I just didn't want Barbie crap
cluttering up the house, but it did. I finally got rid of most of it
last year.
So if your family is like mine, they won't care if you tell them no
Barbies. I have no idea why people think Barbie is mandantory for
girls.
Marie

My pet peeve (after visiting my SIL, who has a 2 yr old) is that every
single kids' toy out there makes NOISE. I spend my working days trying to
get children comfortable with making music themselves, and from the days in
the crib on, every single toy seems bent on doing it for them. Usually with
the most hideous, electronic sounds (and with my trained ears, it's
downright painful in some cases). I can understand the music boxes in baby
things (and most of them sound decent), but WHY does a Fisher-Price school
bus need to play "The Wheels on the Bus"?

Given my BIL's reaction to that statement, I strongly suspect that this baby
will never see a non-noisemaking toy from that family. Arrghh...


So you know exactly which toys to bring with you when you visit your in-laws!

evil grin

Cheers,
Banty

  #28  
Old August 2nd 04, 10:18 PM
H Schinske
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Posts: n/a
Default "choosing" gifts for kids

Nikki ) wrote:

Now I'll agree it is not cool to get the stuff after a parent specifically
says no, regardless of the silly logic gdr


I think a parent has a right to veto certain kinds of toys simply because they
are maddening -- e.g., noisemakers that eat batteries, truly ugly dolls/stuffed
animals, etc. I wouldn't go so far as to ban something my child *truly loved*,
mind you, unless I really did think it was devil spawn, but kids like playing
with a huge variety of stuff -- there is no reason the parent has to live with
something that truly grates on their tastes, unless there is some huge benefit
to the child.

--Helen
  #29  
Old August 2nd 04, 11:12 PM
Mary
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Posts: n/a
Default "choosing" gifts for kids


"ted" wrote in message
om...
Is it appropriate to mention that you prefer/do not prefer certain
kinds of gifts in a birthday party? For example, is it okay to say in
the birthday invite something like "please bring only a small book as
a present"? In fact I would love to say "please donot bring anything
related to barbie" but I know that sounds off. Personally I detest
barbie dolls and I would be very disappointed if my kid(s) like barbie
stuff LOL. I'm not the pink and frilly kind and I don't want them to
be either.

This is somewhat related to the other thread about girls' clothes but
I didn't want to cannibalize that thread. I don't know why people just
assume that if it's a little girl's birthday, they must buy
barbie-stuff as a present. Not to mention this friend who's insisting
that she'll bake a big barbie cake for my DD's birthday! That's still
several months away though!

Thanks


My very close girlfriend & I have moved on to the next level with our
kids. She has 1 DD & I have 1 DS. They are both very spoiled by both
sides of the family. I have in the past given her a check for the
college fund for either Birthday (May) or Christmas exchange with
something small for a package to open. We have in the last year made
donations to the Children's Hospital in her & my DS's names.

They just all end up with so much "stuff" Barbie/Character of the month
from family, etc. I would put a little note on the invite that says " No
gifts- if you feel you must, please donate to *** in your child's honor"
Then you use the opportunity to teach them about giving back to kids
less fortunate and charity.

Mary


  #30  
Old August 2nd 04, 11:12 PM
Nikki
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Default "choosing" gifts for kids

H Schinske wrote:
Nikki ) wrote:

Now I'll agree it is not cool to get the stuff after a parent
specifically says no, regardless of the silly logic gdr


I think a parent has a right to veto certain kinds of toys simply
because they are maddening -- e.g., noisemakers that eat batteries,
truly ugly dolls/stuffed animals, etc.


Well sure, that is why I said it wasn't cool to get stuff that the parent
expressed disapproval of. There are plenty of toys in the world that
banning certain ones won't be the end of the earth. I said it was silly
because I can't really get on board with banning Barbies (or any toy really)
is all.

--
Nikki


 




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