What would you do? Advice needed

[Jeafl]

I have a nephew that is turning 2 at the end of the month.

Today I got an email from my BIL saying that his party is April 27, and that Joey (my nephew) "respectfully requests only monetary gifts to help his parents pay for his new bedroom furniture."

Well, I have already bought his gift, and boxed it up to mail since we can't get to Michigan that weekend. I suppose it would not be a big deal to return the gift, but I hardly think that poor little guy is going to be excited opening only a stack of envelopes.

Furthermore, my BIL and SIL blow money on stupid things all the time, and if they can't afford a bed for their son, maybe they should rethink their spending. I say it's rude to request only money, but DH thinks we should just send the money and forget it. What do you all think?

 

[becka]

WOW! The nerve of some people. I find it incredibly tacky, rude and .... well I don't know what else to call it.

I can't imagine a 2 year old thinking that getting money to pay for bedroom furniture is his idea of a great b-day gift. If it was me I would just give him the gift you already bought and I hope that the other guests do the same thing because I feel really sorry for him.

 

[debster812]

What Becka said.

 

[KathyTX]

That's the tackiest thing I've seen in ages!!!

What will they do at Christmas, ask everybody to make donations to pay for new living room furniture?

Poor little kid...

 

[Serena]

Your nephew respectfully requests money at age 2???!!!!

That was so rude of them. Send the present you have already bought, and hopefully it won't be the only present that little boy gets to open.

 

[Cthia]

WOW. I can't believe they would request people to send money for a bedroom set. They should be responsible to purchasing that for their son.

I would send the gift. Imagine how he will when he has no gifts to open up. Kids that age look forward to gifts not money. Plus what guarantee they will use the money to buy the bedroom furniture.

 

[vald1977]

Send the present that you have already purchased. I am sure your nephew will enjoy it. Personally, I would find this kind of request on an invitation for a 2 year old's birthday insulting.

 

[browneyes]

I'd send the present and tell your BIL you had already bought his present before you received the email.

They may return the present and cash it in though.

 

[Shannon G]

I would send a gift even if I hadn'tg already bought it!! His birthday is supposed to be about what HE wants, and I cannot imagine that a 2 year old wants gives a hoot about bedroom furniture! I would definitely not be giving cash to cover an expense that is the parents' responsibility! What next? "Joey respectfully requests money to pay for his share of the groceries.."

 

[Bichon Barb]

LOL Shannon.

Ditto on "tacky, tacky, tacky!" Is this your wife's brother and SIL or sister and BIL? I ask this because if it were my brother or sister, I'd let them know, as tactfully as possible, how rude this is.

Bring the present.

 

[RitaZ.]

"respectfully requests only monetary gifts to help his parents pay for his new bedroom furniture."

Since when do 2 yr. olds "respectfully request" monetary gifts? His verbal abilities are VERY VERY advanced!

Seriously, this is tacky! Send the gift that you bought, as I'm sure your nephew will enjoy it. You can also include a note to your BIL and his wife telling them that "You respectfully decline THEIR request". Ok, I'm kidding, but I'd be tempted to send it!

 

[disykat]

My first thought is that the amount of money I would spend on a 2 yr old's present wouldn't go far towards furniture!

If the child has too many toys they should ask for no gifts. If I were giving money to a child that age, I would expect it to go into a college fund or something - not to pay for his furniture!

 

[Jeafl]

LOL Shannon!

THANK YOU ONE AND ALL. I feel vindicated! I bought him a really cool red tricycle, and it's going to cost me a fortune to ship it, but I don't care. It's the principle of it.

Cthia, good point about them blowing the money on something else. Knowing them, they probably would. My BIL has been unemployed for a few years because he's very picky about where he will work. Meanwhile, his wife teaches plus works at a grocery store at night.

 

[4greatboys]

Another vote for tacky. I'd send the gift. Many stores today wont give you cash for returned items if you have no receipt so be sure not to send it so the poor kiddo can keep his present.

 

[suzannen]

Extremely tacky! If it were to contribute to his college fund, I might go along with it, but for furniture that he'll outgrow in a few years, I don't think so. Plus, when he's older, I bet he won't talk a lot about his childhood furniture, but I bet he'll always remember that cool red trycycle that his fabulous aunt got him!

 

[tkyes]

That is horrible!

I can relate -

My SIL told us that our 2 year old nephew wants Menard's Gift Certificates for his birthday so they can get him a new swingset.


tamie

 

[zurgswife]

Mail the tricycle and hope your nephew gets to use it.....I can't imagaine asking for money for a 2 yr old...

 

[EltonJohn]

Since it is HIS birthday, and not his parents, I would try to choose a gift that your nephew would like.

Good luck,

 

[gemmie214]

I would send the present but I would also be prepared to find out it was returned Tacky Tacky Tacky!

 

[tiggerlover]

Wow, I would say they are out of line. I think it is in very poor taste to request money for a gift in any circumstance, let alone to pay for a 2 year olds bedroom furniture. I would send your nephew the gift you bought and leave it at that. And if your brother-in-law says anything I would tell him exactly what I thought of his request.