what non toy/clothes gift(s) do your kids get

[luvmyfam444]

for their b'day/Christmas? Do they get $ deposited in savings acct or antyhing like that??? we are thinking of asking this yr for something on that line -

 

[flipturngirl]

Well it really depends on how old the child is. My grandparents opened a savings account when I was born and when my sister was born for us. We have each got 100 dollars a year put in it from them. I think that you could get the child gift cards so they can spend it on what they want. They might be upset though if they only get money they can't spend.

 

[barkley]

my kids are now 9 1/2 and just shy of 12. the 9 year old does'nt mind getting cash or gift cards but he realy prefers having things to unwrap. my dd who is turning 12 this week is much more into being able to spend on the things she wants (her bday request is for gift cards or cash so she can get cd's, videos and clothes). even now (at christmas) my mom will get both of them something to unwrap but the main gift is a savings bond.

 

[RNMOM]

We have older kids now and grandma is gone but when they were about 7-8 it was hard to suggest things. She didn't like giving money or gift certificates even though they loved them. So....I suggested books. She ended up giving a nice book and some money inside. We still have the books for their kids and they got to go buy a toy if they wanted. Best of both worlds.

 

[luvmyfam444]

sorry I didn't specify ---

I meant gifts given from relatives - not from us parents - they'd still get stuff from us....


HOw does a savings bond work??

 

[BeckWhy]

OK, I know this is for much older kids.. but many of my friends get a yearly AAA membership for Christmas or their birthdays.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I think magazine subscriptions are a good idea. They make magazines for just about every age and interest. It's the gift that keeps giving all year long!

 

[Kahana-ri]

DS gets a savings bond from Great G-ma for every holiday. By the time they mature he will have a nice little chunk. For Great G-ma she feels its better than materials gifts, and we have to agree.

 

[aprilgail2]

My 6 year old daughter gets money in her college fund every hopiday from her uncle and grandmother and this year for her kids birthday party she is requesting no gifts but for them to bring a new unwrapped toy for a local toy drive for sick and needy kids at christmas...she gets so many gifts from family, friends and neighbors that she doesn't need the 20 more gifts from kids at her kids birthday party. Her favorite things are gift cards and gift certificates though, she loved getting movie gift certif, last year and bowling. This year if anyone asks I am going to mention that she does go to karate and they sell gift cert. there so she can pick out whatever gear she would want from there. Other than that on her list is just heelies and a nintendo DS, she has not toys on her list.

 

[Longsx3]

DD usually gets Money from Family becasue we live so far away, but this year she is getting Hello Kitty Bedding for her new room...the only toys she likes are AG Dolls.

Before we left Germany she had a Bday party with friends and in lieu of gifts she requested Dog Food for the shelter on base...it was a big hit.

 

[Cool-Beans]

My parents have accounts for the kids that they deposit money in but the kids can't touch until they are older. The kids make fun of the "notes" they get from Grandma and Grandpa. They get a wrapped up box with a note inside telling them how much has been deposited. (But they get a gift, too.)

DH's parents give gifts.

All the aunts/uncles give gifts except to our Alex P. Keaton kid. When he was 5, his eyes would light up and he'd grin about getting money. That's what he wants, and that's what he gets. Kind of a joke in the family.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

sorry I didn't specify ---

I meant gifts given from relatives - not from us parents - they'd still get stuff from us....

My 15yo wants Border's gift cards.
My 9yo likes Best Buy gift cards.

My mom likes to give my girls mementos, like her jewelry or she makes scrapbooks for them.

 

[anewvance]

My kids get savings bonds from family members every bday or holiday. They have around $1000 each in there so far! So they'll pay $25 for a $50 one and get them a smaller toy. Works great for us... less toys and a good savings plan.

 

[debster812]

When DS was born (and then later, my 2 neices) my parents opened 529 college savings accounts for all three kids.

Each birthday and Christmas, the kids get gifts from Nana and Gramps, but we also get a check from Nana and Gramps to put into the fund. DH and I have also just recently set up a monthly automatic deposit for DS's fund.

 

[luvmyfam444]

thanks for the ideas!

ok - for someone cluless---- goe do savings bonds work? do you buy them @ the bank? is it something else to keep up with?? I might do better w/an acct??? what increments can you buy in???

This might be what we decide to ask from the aunts/uncles to give this year - but naturally I need to learn about it all first!

 

[Bob Slydell]

ok - for someone cluless---- goe do savings bonds work? do you buy them @ the bank? is it something else to keep up with?? I might do better w/an acct??? what increments can you buy in???

Yes, you buy them at the bank. They have a variety of increments, from $50 on up (there might be $25 bonds, but I don't recall). The buyer pays 1/2 the face value for them (e.g. $25 to buy a $50 bond) and the federal reserve sends the bond itself in a couple weeks. The bonds earn interest each month and thus are worth more each year. They have a 30-year maturity period, meaning they stop earning interest after 30 years.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

we used to get savings bonds from grandparents and family friends when we were little - tried to get my family to start the tradition ( a little hint), but no luck...DD really doesn't need all the toys and stuff...I try really hard to push books (and more books!!!) and GC's for upcoming trips.