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Original poster

Thinking that wrapped present giving should be on special occasions only?

56 replies

LittleMe03 · 05/01/2018 10:10

I was talking to a neighbour this morning and we had a conversation about 'January blues' and DC looking sad returning to school etc

She told me that when her DC were young she would buy and wrap a present for them and give it to them on the last day of each month. I asked if it was just a little something and she said, no not at all, it had to be something quite pricey or it wouldn't be appreciated.

This to me sounds crazy. Buying kids presents and little gifts during the year I think is fairly normal, but not wrapped and on a specific day each month?

I mean, that's up to her if that's what she wanted to do Grin I just wondered if anybody did anything similar or has the same views as me?

OP posts:
SheGotBetteDavisEyes · 05/01/2018 10:39

I will see her later so will check and let you know if you like grin

I bet fifty quid that you see her, you tell her, she finds it hilarious and you both guffaw together at all those silly MNetters?

Hoppinggreen · 05/01/2018 10:41

I believe its called “progressive gift giving” and it's an age old tradition that mustn’t be mocked.
Everyone does it and anyone who says they don’t is a LYING TROLL!!!

Original poster
LittleMe03 · 05/01/2018 10:45

Hmm at some of these responses.

The ones who have just given an opinion about their traditions with presents etc, thank you. That is what I was asking for

OP posts:
froginapond · 05/01/2018 10:45

I don't see the point in it. And the comment about her saying 'only expensive gifts will be accepted' was a bit Hmm

Did any of this actually happen @LittleMe03 Wink

spiney · 05/01/2018 10:46

No I think it sounds mad! A wrapped expensive present at the end of the month. No way. Apart from anything mine just don't need so much stuff.

Sounds like you have a nice relaxed relationship with your neighbour. All the grumps on here.

GingerbreadMa · 05/01/2018 10:47

Maybe she meant its not breaky wasteful plastic tat but good quality stuff thatll last?

Original poster
LittleMe03 · 05/01/2018 10:48

She didn't say accepted. She said appreciated. Which I'm pretty sure is what I said in my OP?

OP posts:
Passthecake30 · 05/01/2018 10:48

That's nice. I would life a gift every month Smile

C8H10N4O2 · 05/01/2018 10:49

A wrapped present seems more special than unwrapped if its part of a reward system. I've done that in the past.

They were never big expensive things though. Small items which they wanted and had built up stars/whatever to earn.

Birdsgottafly · 05/01/2018 10:50

I used to do it on the first day of School Holidays, I'd do special days out, towards the end.

Some people's budgets don't run to both.

Mine are now Adults, none of them are/were spoilt etc.

Unless it's harmful, I don't think you should tell others how they should Parent.

Passmethecrisps · 05/01/2018 10:52

Where did op say the gift was expensive? In my head I was thinking stuff like those wee blind bags and the like that my dd gets from the supermarket.

Original poster
LittleMe03 · 05/01/2018 10:53

It depends on what others class as expensive. I'm pretty sure the kids were not getting a new bike each month. Expensive gift to me would be over £20 when it's not for a specific occasion. I asked if she meant something little, thinking a wrapped bag of sweets, small Lego bag or collectors cards etc. Buying and wrapping anything more than this monthly I wouldn't do.

I asked her this morning, how did it go when you stopped doing it! She said, not very well, they still ask about it now in their late 20's. She didn't stop doing it until they were 16 and 18

OP posts:
Original poster
LittleMe03 · 05/01/2018 10:54

*Passmethecrisps
*
No I didn't say that, I'm not sure why people are adding their own bits to my OP

OP posts:
WaxOnFeckOff · 05/01/2018 10:55

It's not something I've done and probably wouldn't as I'm too lazy/the DC are hard enough to buy for as it is. I guess it depends on the age of the DC too.

That said, On the rare occasions we were in town I would let them choose a treat (usually a graphic novel) when we were out. Mine get their pocket money on pay day so have something to look forward to but it requires little effort for me and they have free choice on what to get. Nowadays that tends to be nothing as they are not spenders.

LegallyBrunet · 05/01/2018 10:58

A little treat every now and then is quite nice- I'm a 23 year old woman and was really excited when my mum came home from the weekly shop with some Harry Potter socks for me as I love Harry Potter and need new socks. But a gift on a set day that has to be 'pricey' seems a bit iffy to me.

toomanycreambuns · 05/01/2018 10:58

A couple of my family members were treated like this as children. They are now young adults and having problems. Neither of seem to understand the value of anything and have failed to grasp that the majority of people have to actually work to enjoy a decent standard of living.

limitedperiodonly · 05/01/2018 11:04

I used to think my mum was being overly cautious when she would warn me: 'never tell anyone our business.'

And then I read OPs like this and I can see that the advice not to share details of your life because the world is full of judgmental gossips was very wise.

troodiedoo · 05/01/2018 11:12

The monthly gifting is fair dos. I dread to think how much I've spent on stickers, cards and other tat over the years.

Wrapping it is unusual, I mean wrapping paper generally has a theme, birthdays, Christmas, wedding etc. May be a gap in the market for months of the year wrapping paper?

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 05/01/2018 11:15

It's actually not very 'lighthearted' though is it, OP? You want people to agree with you that this is 'crazy'. People do what they do. It would be a better world without this incessant need to make judgements over insignificant crap all the time.

Why not just discuss it with your neighbour since this is of such interest to you rather than start a thread to be goady?

MoonfaceAndSilky · 05/01/2018 11:15

Where did op say the gift was expensive?

She said "quite pricey" in the op,
which surely means more than some trading cards or a milky bar.

MoonfaceAndSilky · 05/01/2018 11:19

Why not just discuss it with your neighbour since this is of such interest to you rather than start a thread to be goady?
I dont think she's being goady, its an interesting topic that we are discussing. Some of you need to lighten up Smile

HermioneAndMsJones · 05/01/2018 11:20

I wouldn’t do that either and certainly not finding a gift every month.

For me gifts are for some special occasions - b’day and Christmas.

At other times, I will buy them stuff on the basis of need. Or if the REALLY want something.

For me, it’s essential because I want them to learn that you can’t have everything. And actually you don’t want all those things because they won’t give you anything (happiness, well being or simple pleasure etc... most stuff are unnecessary)

DonnyAndVladSittingInATree · 05/01/2018 11:21

Why are there so many weird people on MN today? Was there an invite sent out?

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 05/01/2018 11:23

You don't think so, Moon, I do. Different strokes and all that and I don't need to 'lighten up' just because you don't agree, thanks :)

HamishBamish · 05/01/2018 11:24

We do wrapped presents on birthdays and Christmas only, but we do buy things throughout the year. If the children need new bikes or equipment for a hobby, then they get them when they need them, unless it's very close to a birthday or Christmas. A high value present simply because it's the beginning of the month does sound odd to me, but each to their own!

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