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Original poster

Family day out as a gift?

18 replies

CHUE12 · 06/10/2019 23:51

I have this amazing friend and her two kids who takes my dog out for walks when I'm working. She is a massive help to me and I want to get her and her family a present to show how much I appreciate them, so I was thinking a nice family day out.

How far do you think is too far for them to travel, considering it is a gift?
At the moment I'm looking at Cadbury world (her boys are 5 and 7)which is about an hour and a half drive.

Should I include a gift card for some fuel? (is that even a thing?!) or for a travel lodge for them to stay in overnight?

Tia for any help x

OP posts:

Bobthefishermanswife · 06/10/2019 23:56

I think that's lovely!! Such a kind gesture.

I don't think an hour and a half would warrant a hotel or fuel money, simply because I would assume they choose the day they go, so it's at their convenience and its not really that far to travel.

Leeds2 · 07/10/2019 00:19

I wouldn't appreciate being given a gift that was an hour and a half's ride away! If you are happy that she would have no issues driving that distance, then fine.

clematisflower · 07/10/2019 00:23

I also think it's too far away. It's a lovely idea though, is there somewhere less than an hour away?

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chuckeeee · 07/10/2019 00:24

Where is she travelling from? There might be something nearer

IdblowJonSnow · 07/10/2019 00:35

Agree that's a bit far. Are u able to say the area so someone can give tips?
Or you could do a theatre/cinema/bowling voucher?
Local zoo?

Edthebear · 07/10/2019 00:49

Is their nowhere closer that the kids would enjoy? I do agree 3hrs drive I one day is not my idea of a fun time.

Mucky1 · 07/10/2019 00:58

I have kids the same age. We often travel that far for days out. I would be so pleased with the gift card. It's a lovely idea and I'm sure they will love it.

DamonSalvatoresDinner · 07/10/2019 01:27

Does your friend often go far and wide for days out? Do she head to the big cities for shopping days or take the kids to adventure places, zoos or safari parks during the school holidays?

Cos we don't. Ever.

We've been bought days out before. One being a laser quest thing. It was for three kids for an hour. However, it was on some random industrial estate that took us two sodding hours to drive to and two hours back. It was also a place that didn't allow food in but had a shitty overpriced cafe where you get those foot long pre cooked ecoli laden hotdogs, a nasty panini or a kids box with half a jam, cheese or ham sandwich, packet of Quavers and a quench cup for a fiver.

I really wish people wouldn't buy us stuff like that. It's not the first or last "experience" gift we've been given and they cost us time, petrol and of course lunch out as well. The gifts that keep on taking...

DamonSalvatoresDinner · 07/10/2019 01:30

Only you know if it's the type of thing your friend would like.

If she's an adventurer who likes day trips out with the kids then go for it. If not, please, please don't. She'll feel obliged to go and it'll cost her.

implantsandaDyson · 07/10/2019 06:23

I never give a gift that might cost the recipient money. I know you're thinking of a gift card to help with fuel.but lunch, gift shop etc. We travel a good few hours for day trips but I know lots of people who don't. It's a present for a friend who does you a favour, her kids probably enjoy walking the dog but it's her that does it, organises it, looks after the dog. What would she like?

BenWillbondsPants · 07/10/2019 06:33

I think that's a bit far too OP, but a lovely idea, maybe just something a bit closer?

emeraldno5 · 07/10/2019 06:37

I think it's a lovely idea. I'd be thrilled to receive this as a gift! An hour and a half really isn't that far to travel. Cadbury's world is a day out, rather than something which will be over with in a couple of hours.

Boyskeepswinging · 07/10/2019 06:48

We were gifted something similar and were unable to use it because we have a very busy schedule as a family. It was literally impossible to find a day when all of us were available at the same time. It was quite awkward to be honest. We didn't want to sound ungrateful but the giver assumed we'd just drop our usual plans to accommodate an activity they chose for us with no consultation.

For us, something like a gift card for our local cinema would have been more welcome. That would only have meant finding a couple of hours when we're all free, not an entire day once you factor in travel time.

shinysinkredemption · 07/10/2019 06:59

It's a lovely thought but it does mean your friend will have to have a day out that she might not have chosen for herself. If she's mentioned that she'd like to go but can't afford it that's another matter.

EmpressJewel · 07/10/2019 08:20

I think a safer bet would be to get them either cinema/bowling/restaurant vouchers as they are local and flexible.

tashakg89 · 07/10/2019 10:59

I'd be thrilled to get this as a gift! But then i do lots of days out with the kids and don't mind travelling for different experiences, if she is the same and loves to go on different days out then go for it, it sounds lovely.

mindutopia · 07/10/2019 12:18

I would just ask your friend what sort of day out she would prefer, tell her what you had in mind and ask if they would be too far, or if she would prefer tickets to somewhere closer.

I love days out as a gift, but there has to be some flexibility and maybe getting a bit of a sense of whether it would be feasible for them first. I once had a friend buy my dc and I tickets to a show for her birthday. It was lovely and a really enjoyable day, but the tickets were like 50 quid each and for one specific showing in a few weeks time. Purely by luck we happened to be free this day! If we had been away or had to work or had something else booked, she would have been out a lot of money for something we couldn't use.

museumsandgalleries666 · 07/10/2019 14:20

Maybe give her an Amazon voucher instead?

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