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My, how things have changed

MoestenMoesten
in Cincinnati Babies

When I was a kid my mom might ask me in passing what I wanted for my birthday. For Christmas we wrote a letter/list to Santa. Today, things seem to go a little differently.

My eldest niece is turning 15 next month. Today we (the family members of aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc) received a mass email from her entitled "Here it is, my birthday list." It opens with this comment: "15th Birthday List: items listed below are subject to change and removal. A weekly update will be given unless otherwise determined, or if a question has been brought up. Do not hesitate to ask questions."

Then the list follows with links to each item.

It's oddly convenient yet mercenary at the same time.

 

(Knowing this child as I do, I am fairly certain the opening comments are meant to be joking. At least I hope they are :P) 

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Re: My, how things have changed

  • buckeyethorbuckeyethor

    Wow.

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  • buckeyethorbuckeyethor
    I know a lot of kids whose parents give out registries for each birthday and holiday.
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  • Ttimes3Ttimes3
    I like it.
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  • Mrs.Cooley2beeMrs.Cooley2bee member

    I am sure the opening comments are meant to be funny, but I hate the whole idea. 

    I like the idea of talking to the parent of the child and asking what they would like to have or "need".  I just feel like more and more kids seem to feel entitled to certain things and have no real concept of what giving a gift means.  I could be going a bit overboard with my reaction, but it really rubs me the wrong way.   

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  • teacherjessteacherjess member
    I remember reading a magazine article a couple of years back about how, if you want to make sure you or your child get what you want, you should make an Amazon wishlist and send it to everyone. I couldn't believe the gall it would take for someone to actually do that. "Here's my list! These are the 50 items I want, so buy whatever you want from this list only!"
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  • MoestenMoesten
    imageMrs.Cooley2bee:

    I am sure the opening comments are meant to be funny, but I hate the whole idea. 

    I like the idea of talking to the parent of the child and asking what they would like to have or "need".  I just feel like more and more kids seem to feel entitled to certain things and have no real concept of what giving a gift means.  I could be going a bit overboard with my reaction, but it really rubs me the wrong way.   

    Ding, ding, ding! Hit it on the nose. This is the feeling I often get with kids (and their parents, really). A gift is a token chosen by the giver that says "here I thought of you and thought you might enjoy this. I wanted to give it to you in celebration of your ..."

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  • Christine.LouieChristine.Louie

    Eh..maybe it's just me but I don't really see anything wrong with this.  This is how my family has always operated.  You get really tired of people asking you all the time "what do you want for ___?" so writing a list is the best way to communicate that.  I will say, however, that I will usually only send it to people that actually request the list and my immediate family versus mass spamming people.  It works out well because you get what you want (and I make my list big enough so it's not even possible to get everything on the list...giving it a surprise element!) and the gifter doesn't feel stressed out about having to pick out something that they're not sure if you like or not.  It's like a wedding registry but for all occasions! :)  (I mean c'mon, let's be honest...how many off-registry gifts did you *really* like?  There are a few gem of surprises but I feel like they are usually just re-gifts!)

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  • vollmasmvollmasm member
    imageMrs.Cooley2bee:

    I am sure the opening comments are meant to be funny, but I hate the whole idea. 

    I like the idea of talking to the parent of the child and asking what they would like to have or "need".  I just feel like more and more kids seem to feel entitled to certain things and have no real concept of what giving a gift means.  I could be going a bit overboard with my reaction, but it really rubs me the wrong way.   

    I COMPLETELY agree, and I don't feel that it's limited to just kids anymore (although this is still where this attitude is mostly seen I think).  This is actually a HUGE pet peeve of mine.  There are so many people who feel as though they are "entitled" to certain things (for whatever reason) and it drives me bonkers.  Um, hello, you have to work for things... For example, my 14 year-old cousin had an iPhone before I did - WTH does a a 14 year old need an iPhone for????  And when I asked her how she liked it, she said "It's ok. I'd rather have the 3GS." (This was the newest version at the time).  You can imagine my reaction...

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  • riabironriabiron member

    My mother and sister in law ask for a list for my kids. the first year we did it we had a ton of fun with it. Our list was a picture list. it had a picture of my sd and

    a car

    a phone

    a tv

    a computer

    a very large stereo.

    She was like 4 at the time so it was all mine and DH's doing. We thought we were HILARIOUS.

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  • Ttimes3Ttimes3
    imageChristine.Louie:

    Eh..maybe it's just me but I don't really see anything wrong with this.  This is how my family has always operated.  You get really tired of people asking you all the time "what do you want for ___?" so writing a list is the best way to communicate that. ...  It works out well because you get what you want (and I make my list big enough so it's not even possible to get everything on the list...giving it a surprise element!) and the gifter doesn't feel stressed out about having to pick out something that they're not sure if you like or not.  It's like a wedding registry but for all occasions! :)  (I mean c'mon, let's be honest...how many off-registry gifts did you *really* like?  There are a few gem of surprises but I feel like they are usually just re-gifts!)

    This. IMO, there is nothing worse (in the world of gift giving, anyway) than spending money on something that is just going to sit and collect dust.

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  • cops_wifecops_wife member
    I really think it's a whole cultural shift. Both my mom and sister disliked the idea of me having a baby registry during my first pregnancy. When my sister had her first baby 16 years ago, she said there was no such thing. I agree about the entitlement issue, but when there are Amazon wish lists, wedding registries, baby registries, engagement registries, housewarming registries, birthday registries, graduation registries, I bet most teenagers wouldn't find this rude at all. And I agree that it all erodes the point of a gift. Now I want to know if she really does send you weekly updates.
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