What do you think of this gift request? Update...No Wii

[momrek06]

Its too late, OP. It is 5 days to Christmas. Did they not think that people would possibly have all their shopping done? I would have considered this gift for TWO reasons, if this was December 1st AND if those receiving the gift realized it was from all those that contributed.


OT/My DS' birthday is December 30. The year he was turning 6yo, we were planning a Feb trip to WDW. I always would do his bday up huge with a big party and invite all his classmates and of course all my and DH's family, as I always thought having your bday 5 days after Christmas was hard on everyone. People do NOT want to go back shopping for gifts etc etc.

In my invitations to DS' bday party, school friends as well as family I said we were going to WDW in Feb and would they consider a gift of $5.00 in cash in a card to him.

EVERYONE loved that idea and DS was thrilled to have the cash to spend in WDW. I was worried that that would look very BOLD.....but all the parents were so happy that it was so easy to just place $5.00 in a card; no shopping, no wrapping!!!

 

[lynxstch]

I would send them $20 alright...$20 in monopoly or other play money..if they want their kids to have a WI...then they need to buy their kids one..not try and get the rest of you to pay for it...some people just have no sense!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I think it's really rude. And they wouldn't really be buying a Wii, if they're collecting money from everyone else for it! Plus, being so close to Christmas, most people already have their shopping done.

 

[DMickey28]

I think it's rude, this late in the game to request something like that. I also think that's rude to straight out ask for money towards it ... depending on your relationship to this person.

In my family, it's very common for my parents, my brother and my DH and I to go in on gifts for people. For example, I bought my brother a Wii from my mom but I am getting the remotes and some games. My brother, DH and I are getting both my parents a TV for the kitchen and splitting it. My dad, brother, DH and I are getting my mom a laptop. However this was all discussed and exicuted weeks ago.

Also, my DH and my parents have split large gifts for me in the past but again, decided well in advance.

If there was something we all thought DS would love but was too big a purchase for one person, the other would not hesitate to offer to chip in. For example, we want to get DS a big swing set for the backyard this Spring. We will be able to afford it but odds are my parents will offer to chip in something towards it for his birthday. We would never actually ASK for it though.

Some family dynamics can handle that sort of thing ... others can't. I do think it's rude to decide to purchase something 4 days before Christmas that you can't afford in the first place. DH and I just recieved a very un-expected Christmas bonus and are going out tonight to plump up our gifts because we had a very tight budget to begin with!

 

[lillygator]

I would definitely email them back - but more along the lines of "are you crazy? asking people to give money for a gift"

some people certainly are bold.

 

[hegsag]

I can't believe that they would send it out this late & expect people to participate. If they had let everyone know awhile ago & didn't try to guilt anyone (Heck, it's all in the wording) then I would be more than willing to join in...

 

[autumnpalm]

Wow, that would so not go over well in my family.

If a family member asks specifically what the child would like, I see no problem in saying that something like a gift card to Best Buy would be appreciated because the child(ren) had wished for a Wii. But to send out an email unsolicited asking for contributions for a gift from the parents?

A little strange. And a lot tacky!

I would not feel like Scrooge at all by not contributing.

 

[WDWtraveler27]

As a PP stated, give 'em monopoly money

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Got an email this morning from a family member. It says that they have decided to buy their children a Wii for Christmas, and that if each family member contributes "at least" $20 they would be able to purchase it. It says if they can't collect enough they won't be able to afford the Wii. It also says if they collect "too much" they will use the overage for games.

At this stage I have already purchased gifts for their kids and I am not interested in pitching in another $20.

It seems so rude to me to request this.

Am I wrong here or just a scrooge? (yeah I could be both)

They are bananas.

 

[Kim&Chris]

And here's another thought....let's say people DO chip in, and they collect $160.00. Not enough to buy a Wii, right? So what happens to all that money????

 

[ilovepcot]

OP...I know just how you feel. Last holiday season, after finishing ALL my Christmas shopping, I got a phone call from a family member asking for DH and I to contribute $100 toward a gift for her 9 year old daughter. Seems the mom wanted to buy (get this!) a large metal storage building for the child to set up her race cars in. What???!!! DH sent it. That *really* ticked me off! People should stay out of other people's business at holiday time!

 

[Disney Doll]

Well, I'm bold, so I would definitely respond and I would say, "I've already selected, purchased and wrapped gifts for everyone. I hope you can find a way to buy the Wii so that you don't disappoint your children."

There's no way would I feel guilty because they didn't plan ahead and save to buy their kids a big gift. I would totally turn the guilt trip back on them. Who waits until 4 days before Christmas to decide to buy a gift like that anyway? Like a pp said, I'd be interested in knowing what they plan to do with the cash if they don't get enough to buy the game system.

I agree witht his.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Very rude.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

And here's another thought....let's say people DO chip in, and they collect $160.00. Not enough to buy a Wii, right? So what happens to all that money????

Or....they collect all the money & then some and then don't buy the Wii. That would really burn your bottom.

 

[minniecarousel]

As an auntie, I love getting suggestions on what the kids want. HOWEVER, 4 days before Christmas is not the time to make this request! If I had a family member do this, I'd say no way. If they talk to me in early December, maybe.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

What happened to the spririt of giving and receiving? It's become all about gimme, gimme, gimme! If the family budget is so tight that they have to beg for money for a Wii, then they probably shouldn't have one. They should worry about buying food and clothing for the kids and any extra money they receive should go towards those things.

 

[wendy46001]

As an auntie, I love getting suggestions on what the kids want. HOWEVER, 4 days before Christmas is not the time to make this request! If I had a family member do this, I'd say no way. If they talk to me in early December, maybe.

I'm with you, the kids in the family know Auntie will get them what ever their little hearts desire...but auntie also shops in Nov. (and normally hits the big sales)

Four days before chrismtas sender would get a snarky email reply stating santa already flew past my house

 

[cheermom1]

I have to agree they are RUDE - I have chipped in for present before but it was a well in advance thing - also we all sat down face to face and talked about it and came up with a plan that day and weather the money was there or not ...4 days before Christmas and in an email????

I would do what others of have said respond with I'm sorry I already purchased and wrapped your gifts and good luck with getting getting the wii

that's what I would do...

good luck

 

[Skywalker]

Well, update. I have already sent my reply saying that since I have already purchased their gifts that I could not contribute to the Wii. This is the reply I received:

"I understand you won't contribute. We just thought even though you bought them something already, since it's only 20 bucks most people wouldn't mind. Thanks anyway. Merry Christmas."

Now, I know it is SO hard to read tone in an email but I am reading this in a snarky way. Am I wrong about that?

I spoke to my mom and she IS going to contribute because she says she'd feel bad if she didn't. I really wonder if they are going to raise enough. My luck I'll be the only one in the family that doesn't cough up the money and then I will look bad.

 

[dismom2]

Wow, that would so not go over well in my family.

If a family member asks specifically what the child would like, I see no problem in saying that something like a gift card to Best Buy would be appreciated because the child(ren) had wished for a Wii. But to send out an email unsolicited asking for contributions for a gift from the parents?

A little strange. And a lot tacky!

I would not feel like Scrooge at all by not contributing.

I agree...if the gift giver asks for suggestions, that's one thing, but I think it's in very poor taste to ask or tell people what you want, and give an amount----and so close to Christmas makes it even more rude. How about getting them a book on etiquette for Christmas? Some people truly have no clue that they are being rude---someone should clue them in.