What do you think of this?

[Rafiki31]

Is this a new trend? A gift registry for kids for Christmas. We were notified that some family friends had their kids make a registry for what they would like at a toy store. An email went out to everyone to let us know where. It seems a little odd to me, but I am actually really happy because it makes my life easier since we do not have children and every year we struggle to pick a gift they might like. We have no idea what kids like. lol. However, I imagine the elder family members are going to hate this idea.

 

[npmommie]

Seems odd to me, and just makes christmas all that more materialistic.
I never heard of doing such a thing.
christmas should not be about getting gifts and telling everyone what you want.
jmo

 

[kafitty]

uh, well, it's basically like a digitized Christmas wishlist.

we always made those when we were kids, with pen & paper.

i don't see it as *that* weird.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

Haven't we all become "Digitized"? As a PP stated, when I was a kid I took out the Sears Catelog and went through it and circled what I wanted or wrote a list.

Doesn't Amazon have a "Wish List" its the same thing. Makes it easier for those that don't know what to buy, at least now you know the kids will like it because they asked for it.

 

[npmommie]

uh, well, it's basically like a digitized Christmas wishlist.

we always made those when we were kids, with pen & paper.

i don't see it as *that* weird.

but the list is supposed to be for Santa, LOL, pen and paper, the old fashioned way, cuz santa is old fashioned,

 

[crusoe2]

I agree with the previous posters - it's pretty much just a digitized version of the wish list I made as a kid. I just discovered that you can do these on the American Girl website and plan to put one up for DD. I only plan to point people to it should they ask for gift suggestions, tho. I wouldn't send it to someone who hadn't asked for help with selecting a gift. I love the convenience of it - people can see what DD would like and choose whatever suits their taste and budget and it should help us avoid duplicate gifts and having to make returns. I always have lots of family members asking what to buy and I have to try to politely figure out how much they would like to spend, what they had in mine, etc. And then have to keep up with what suggestions I gave each person so that I don't tell the same thing to several different people. Plus, if no one buys the things she wanted most, I'll know and can get those myself.

I can see how these registries would be very nice for people who have family scattered all over. As a matter of fact, I'll have to check with DH's brother in Chicago to see if they've done one of these for their kids.

 

[luvmy3]

Seems odd to me, and just makes christmas all that more materialistic.
I never heard of doing such a thing.
christmas should not be about getting gifts and telling everyone what you want.jmo

My kids are bombarded with "what do you want for Christmas" by everyone, or told "make your Christmas list" so we (society) have made Christmas about getting gifts and telling everyone what you want. Its hard to blame the kids when its the adults doing all the asking.
Anyway, I don't think I'd have a registry for a child's wishlist but I don't have a problem with a wishlist in general. Like a pp said, kids have been making them forever. I remember the huge Montgomery Wards catalog would come and I'd go from page to page putting big red circles around what I wanted.

 

[MiniGirl]

I remember making a list for Santa but I don't remember making copies of it and mailing it off to everyone I know. I also feel certain my parents didn't either because socks and undies were never on my list but my favorite aunt got them for me every year. LOL!!!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I think it is a bit rich to just e-mail it out to everyone like that. It is one thing to tell them if they ask what do your kids want for Christmas, but to just e-mail it without asking... I wouldn't like it. Yeah, gifts are fun, but they are not the point of Christmas.

 

[lovesmurfs]

My kids have had Amazon wish lists for years. If people ask me what they want, I refer them to the wish list.

I don't publicize it unless asked, though.

 

[Heidict]

On the one hand it seems like a good idea. After all, how many have relatives that are constantly asking what they want or worse yet getting them something they don't like? This would certiantly make it easier for the shopping relatives.

On the other hand it seems to make it so materalistic and self centered. I think we all have fond memories of those not so great gifts we used to get growing up. Of course, then we were mortified, but now we can laugh. It seems like a list would certainly take the surprise out of opening the gifts if you know what is probably under that wrapping paper.


Not sure if this is something I will ever have my daughter do. Of course, if a relative told me that their kid did the list, I would consulte it before buying them something.

 

[allison443]

I don't see anything wrong with the list, but like another pp said, maybe it would be better to wait until they are asked what the kids would like...I mean, I usually ask my siblings what their kids want, or run my ideas past them. How else would I know if they already have the item, or are past that phase, or my sibling don't want them to have it, or whatever.

 

[krcit]

I think it's tacky to send a mass, unsolicitated e-mail. If somene calls to ask or ideas then send it I guess. I had a SIL who was so controlling with her kids gifts that she used to shop, wrap and then tell us what we owed her It used to get me so mad but now I'd just be thankful I had less shopiing to do

 

[Ephany]

DD has one on Amazon, it's even got a universal button so she can add things from other websites like americangirl.com. Every set of grandparents and aunts/uncles live in a different state, so it makes it much easier for everyone when they ask her or us what she wants for her birthday or Christmas. Most of the time they don't have any idea what she's interested in or what she already has, it simplifies the process. We don't send out a mass email, we only pass it along if requested. We also don't put the 'Santa gifts' on the list, hopefully this will help prevent someone from buying her something that's already stashed in my closet.

Oh, and I've never given it out for a school party or something like that, it's strictly for family only.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I guess if you have alot of family that wants to buy something for your children it would be a blessing., esp. if you have little ones.

 

[MIGrandma]

I have 5 grandchildren ranging in ages from 10 months up to age 16.

I would absolutely love it if they all had a "wish list" registered at Target, or Wal-Mart, Meijer's, etc. That would be wonderful!

As it is, I always ask them to make a list for me. I would much rather get them gifts I know they want and will use, rather than try to figure it out myself and then get something that they just smile and say thanks and it either gets returned or shoved in a drawer somewhere.

 

[NMAmy]

but the list is supposed to be for Santa, LOL, pen and paper, the old fashioned way, cuz santa is old fashioned,

In our family, Santa got a letter with a request for one item, not a list. We would ask after Santa and Mrs. Claus's health, say hello to the reindeer, etc.

Then we made a paper and pen list that my mom would pass on to the grandparents and Mom and Dad would buy some items off the list.

I don't see it as any different--I'd love for my niece to do this for her kids. I have to call her every year to see what her kids are into nowadays. Their tastes change so quickly and I haven't seen them since summer.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I agree with PPs that it's merely a digital version of an ordinary child's Christmas wish list. That said, I wouldn't allow my own kid to do it. I'd be afraid it would look too greedy.

I must say too--toys are one part of DS's childhood I will not miss. The days of opening dozens of junky trinkets are behind us, and I am glad.

 

[minkydog]

I think it's tacky to send a mass, unsolicitated e-mail. If somene calls to ask or ideas then send it I guess. I had a SIL who was so controlling with her kids gifts that she used to shop, wrap and then tell us what we owed her It used to get me so mad but now I'd just be thankful I had less shopiing to do

Now THAT takes the cake!

I agree, it's tacky to send out an unsolicited mailing with your kids' gift registry on it. What ever happened to calling the parents for ideas? Or emaling them, for that matter? What ever happened to teaching our kids to be grateful and polite no matter what they gift?

I admit, I *do* send out an email to my sibs and ILs with Christmas ideas for Christian. But only because he plays with no toys, no crafts, has no collections, and does not participate in sports, so they are always at a loss as to what to give him. Heck, we are too! His Christmas list looks like this:
peaches
instant oatmeal
crackers
fig newtons
granola bars
box of capri suns
sweat shirt
footie PJs, size 20

MOstly what he needs are snacks to take to school, nothing more. I cant tell you how many toys we have re-gifted to other children, simply because he cann't play with them and has no interest.

 

[diznygirl]

My kids have had Amazon wish lists for years. If people ask me what they want, I refer them to the wish list.

I don't publicize it unless asked, though.

Same here. Works great. Family and friends check it throughout the year for birthday present ideas as well. Everyone is so spread out, and this make it easier for everyone.