Can you find cheap gifts for classmates in WDW?

[MooGooGai]

I am very happy that Crisi seems to be putting on a show for this thread. Her children did at one time like little token gifts Her culture allowed her to accept them at one time

They didn't always call them "Stupid". It wasn't until people stopped giving them that they realized they didn't need them.


http://www.disboards.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=36624245

Agree, treat bags here were never a requirement, but after about eight or nine they became the exception - particularly for boys.

Yeah, the kids were disappointed the first time they didn't come home with a sucker, some bubble gum and a pencil - but eventually they realized that they didn't really want a sucker, some bubble gum and a pencil anyway.

 

[okeydokey]

So it isn't about individuals? Why do it then? I'm afraid I don't understand a gift that can be given to 20 some children and will be appreciated by all. Gifts require more thought than that.

That's OK. Not everybody can understand graciousness.

 

[crisi]

You have in the past.

Not this one. Sorry, not comfortable. Would you like to press because we can continue to find out how rude people on this board can be?

 

[wtccheermom]

Apparently rude grownups are ok. Really guys, insulting someone else's kids? Is this who you want to be?

While I do not agree with anything else you have written on this thread I am complete agreement with this statement!

 

[crisi]

I am very happy that Crisi seems to be putting on a show for this thread. Her children did at one time like little token gifts Her culture allowed her to accept them at one time

They didn't always call them "Stupid". It wasn't until people stopped giving them that they realized they didn't need them.


http://www.disboards.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=36624245

yep. We've done the "accredited cultural" gifts. Don't like them though. Don't appreciate them.

But my kids are 11 and 12, as I said upthread. That's when stickers have become stupid. But you are really only interested in reading parts on what I said.

ETA: Back there somewhere there is another thread like this with me saying "I don't like token gifts, its cultural."

 

[greenpea89]

But the "thought" I get from this is that you find me only worth a "token" gift. That you didn't bother to choose a gift for me that values me as a person. What sort of "thought" goes into "stickers or suckers or pencils for an entire classroom." Is that really a thought worth counting? I'd rather my children receive real friendship.

I find this very interesting. We live in Asia, and have for more than 20 years, so we are very familiar with "gift giving culture". I have no idea of your cultural background but I will share that a token gift is the most common form of gift given in our region. In fact there are shops set up everywhere so that token gifts can be distributed upon one's return from holiday to family, friends, co-workers, and classmates. You get the idea. Of course, every country is slightly different, but overall it's a common thing. In fact a gift of great value may be refused and a trinket is the preferred gift. Beautifully wrapped, of course, but cookies, food items, keychains, etc. are the most common gifts. Which is pretty much what the OP is asking about.

Regardless of the gift it would universally be considered the absolute height of rudeness for the recipient to express that the gift was "stupid", even if only expressed behind the givers back.


More importantly I have never felt that by receiving a gift there was an undue burden of reciprocation placed upon me nor have I ever been made to feel this way as the gift giver.

As I said, I have no idea where you live or your cultural background but in general, wherever we have lived, my children take small token gifts to share with their classmates, if they want to do so, after we have been on holiday. We have never once had the gift refused, no one has ever been insulted, nor have we been showered with reciprocal gifts of any nature. The gifts are always received in the nature they are given and with graciousness.


Anyway, to the OP...I vote for the Mickey straws and free Mickey stickers! It's a very sweet gesture. A book for the classroom would be nice too. Please enjoy your trip and I hope you find something fun for your child to share!

 

[MooGooGai]

A gift card to Target sure sounds like a token gift to me






http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36493768&postcount=47

We aren't permitted to give personal gifts in excess of $5. However, we can give things that can be used in the classroom. So we have the kids write the thank you note for the year and include a gift certificate to Target.

 

[maxiesmom]

And I feel sorry for you.

Why? Because they understand the real value of the gift is the thought behind it? I"m not saying someone spends an hour or even half an hour picking out gifts for the class. But the fact that someone thinks about you at all, and enough to buy you a little token, is what you should be saying thank you and accepting the gift for.

I have to agree, I know of no "culture" that thinks it is acceptable to be rude to other people and insult them behind their backs. And that is what you are teaching your kids.

 

[scrapquitler]

If getting a gift at all, I really like the idea of getting a "classroom gift"

I know our teachers (elem school) are always looking for "rainy day" games to have on hand for indoor recess. Something unique apart from the everyday dominoes, etc... might be appreciated.

Or does your teacher have a class wish list? Maybe get something off that "disney-fied" Like if she wants playing cards, get disney playing cards.

And I guess regional. But I have 3 kids in elementary school, and none have recieved souvineers when friends go on vacay.

Still, I think you could get more "bang for your buck" with a class gift worth $10-15... than stickers, pencils, candies. Just another thot...

I like this

How about a book for the classroom??

 

[MooGooGai]

But my kids are 11 and 12, as I said upthread. That's when stickers have become stupid.

Back tracking now. And I understand why. You are embarrassed that your made up culture has been debunked, even by your own past posts.

You did not say stickers. You said your children say that anything a classmate brings back is stupid

 

[crisi]

Back tracking now. And I understand why. You are embarrassed that your made up culture has been debunked, even by your own past posts.

You did not say stickers. You said your children say that anything a classmate brings back is stupid

In that case, I made an error. Certainly, everything is not stupid. But at 11 and 12, stickers ARE pretty silly. At least to my kids.

You can debunk a culture? That's really interesting.

 

[crisi]

Why? Because they understand the real value of the gift is the thought behind it? I"m not saying someone spends an hour or even half an hour picking out gifts for the class. But the fact that someone thinks about you at all, and enough to buy you a little token, is what you should be saying thank you and accepting the gift for.

I have to agree, I know of no "culture" that thinks it is acceptable to be rude to other people and insult them behind their backs. And that is what you are teaching your kids.

Because she thinks its ok to insult my kids. I feel really sorry about that.

 

[crisi]

A gift card to Target sure sounds like a token gift to me






http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36493768&postcount=47

I don't think a few hundred dollars to Target for the teacher to use towards classroom supplies is token, but if you want to believe it is, that's your call. We all have different measures of meaningful - which is sort of the point of this, isn't it?

 

[MooGooGai]

I don't think a few hundred dollars to Target for the teacher to use towards classroom supplies is token, but if you want to believe it is, that's your call. We all have different measures of meaningful

Yes. And I guess yours is money.

Afterall, a stupid sticker or pencil that a family can afford to give your children isn't as awesome as a "few hundred dollars".

So, in your culture, gifts can be given as long as it costs a "few hundred dollars".

Gotcha

I do wish you would share this secret culture that teaches children such greed, so I can stay far away from anyone that practices it

And I might add, I do question the ethics of any teacher that would accept a gift from a single student that is in the price range of a "few hundred dollars"

 

[MooGooGai]

Because she thinks its ok to insult my kids. I feel really sorry about that.

I pointed out the FACT that your children saying ANYTHING that was given to them by a classmate was "stupid" is rude

You have pointed out rude behaviors many times here on these boards. Why all of a sudden is it an "insult" to do so?

 

[pandaroo]

I don't think a few hundred dollars to Target for the teacher to use towards classroom supplies is token, but if you want to believe it is, that's your call. We all have different measures of meaningful - which is sort of the point of this, isn't it?

What gift did the teach give you in return?

 

[maddiesmom0116]

And I might add, I do question the ethics of any teacher that would accept a gift from a single student that is in the price range of a "few hundred dollars"

I agree, this would surely violate some school district policies out there.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

Because she thinks its ok to insult my kids. I feel really sorry about that.

You need to get used to it. If you continue to teach your children to act like this they will get insulted frequently.

 

[Nancyg56]

And I might add, I do question the ethics of any teacher that would accept a gift from a single student that is in the price range of a "few hundred dollars"

In our school system a teacher must report any cash goft over $50 to the administration. They can keep the gift but it cannot go unreported. When DGD was in her K thru 3 school DH used to give a $100 gift card to the teacher to use for classroom enhancements. Each teacher made sure that we knew that she needed to let the office know it had been recieved and we appreciated that policy. No favoritism for kids who give gifts of money

At this point in the discussion i am not sure that I believe the nonsensical posts that Crisi is using to support her idea that little gifts children share are burdening her with waste and obligation. The last post about a several hundred dollar gift card makes me think that what started as a rude comment is now a long tangled web of silly posts using culture and background to be rude about gifts and to degrade efforts to be kind. I guess it really does nto matter,this is a message board and she has a right to her opinion and her posts but , much ado about nothing here IMO

 

[MooGooGai]

I am amazed at how token gifts are ok when Crisi buys them for others


Playdoh= GOOD Stickers= BAD


http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28868870&postcount=37

The kids are the only people we are buying gifts for - and even then, its easy stuff - Playdoh and small Lego sets. Its such a relief.

Crisi, you said yourself that in your culture a gift must have “meaning”. You said “It has purpose. It’s a BIG DEAL. You don't give gifts casually”. That a gift means that you “valued me” and you “want me to remember you through that gift”.

Yet, your only meaning you had while buying these token gifts of playdoh and small Lego sets for these children was “relief” that you didn’t have to put thought into it.

The last post about a several hundred dollar gift card makes me think that what started as a rude comment is now a long tangled web of silly posts using culture and background to be rude about gifts and to degrade efforts to be kind.

You are 100% correct.