Monday, March 17, 2008

Presents for Children

Today is St. Patrick's Day. And I don't know what city you are in, but in Savannah, it is a big deal. Not quite Boston, but still . . . . So I took the day off (in other words, short post today). JackDanyells has a video about St. Patrick's day.

I wrote something the other day about purchasing presents for children. Not having children of my own, there is some amorphous dark area surrounding children's' presents. When I was growing up, we did not have a lot of toys. I don't want you to think I lived in a dirt-bottomed shack, will pill bugs for pets, but that would not be an accurate representation. We just got presents at Christmas and on our birthday, and that was about it.

My nieces and nephews get presents at other times of the year. Part of that may have to do their parents having a bit more money than my parents had. Not more love, but more money.

When my nieces were younger, I would buy them the cutest outfits. And my nephews, I would buy the noisiest toys I could find.

I was not a big doll person growing up. Well, that is not really true. I had a couple of special dolls, with several outfits. I was not a doll collector. We did not collect things, really. But not that I dress up my niece's like dolls, but I get satisfaction from buying clothes for my nieces. Plus, I don't have to read the labels because I don't have to wash the clothes.

Now that I think about it, I buy clothes for nieces (to give me satisfaction). I buy noisy tops for my nephews (which bug my siblings and give me satisfaction). I think I have this gift-giving things sort of backwards.

10 comments:

Grant said...

The only appropriate gift today is booze. I fully support Kegs for Kids.

LarryLilly said...

My kids used to ask for video games. When they were growing up, pong just came out, so we are talking EARLY atari vid games, but we only had a commodore 64.

But this was after they asked for drum sets.

I told them "No drum sets" I will buy YOUR kids drum sets.

They stopped asking for drum sets.

Maybe that is why at mid 30's they are not married, and certainly no kids.
LOL

Prata said...

I am in favor of weaponry. Every child should have one weapon that they learn to be deadly with (purposely not accidentally). I am starting a foundation, "Weapons for Youngsters". Please donate.

Joe said...

I'm in NYC and the parade seems to have just wrapped up. I can tell because I can no longer hear the drums and horns, but I can hear the drunkards hollering 17 floors below me.

Blog hog said...

I think that gifts should be for special occassions for the most part, like birthdays, christmas, and possilby Valentines Day.

::smooches Leesa:::

Anonymous said...

I love gifts...giving & receiving!!

Anonymous said...

No gifts for/from me, but my half-Thai nephew said "Top of the morning!" to me, which was pretty funny!

Adrianne said...

First Whatever Joe I worked at your company and we are allowed to drink in the office on that day. Where you one of the drunkards?

Leesa,

I think that is priceless I buy the clothes don't look at the labels because I don't have to wash them or that you buy the nosiest toys. Classic!!!!

I am sure your siblings will repay the favor when you have some of your own.

Leesa said...

grant: how funny.

larry: nice play on the threat of purchasing a loud gift.

prata: classic. I wonder if you mix your gift (weapon) and grant's (booze). Is that a bad thing?

joe: and how is that any different than any other day in NYC? Let me guess, 17 floors down is Accounting. Those party animals!

gw: I tend to agree.

flat coke: I have really started appreciating giving more than receiving (storage space issues).

seattle: how cute.

ssc: from your lips to God's ears.

Prata said...

Good question...we should definitely do some research into that!