Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
What age to send check instead of gift?
Hi Ladies!
I was wondering if any of you have an opinion on what age it is appropriate to start sending a child a check for his/her birthday rather than a gift. My godson is turning 10 on July 8. I usually e-mail his mom, find out what he's interested in these days, and then order a gift on Amazon and have it wrapped and sent directly to him. He's my youngest cousin, they live in MA, and I only see them a few times a year, so this is my way of ensuring he gets it on or around his birthday. At Christmas, I give him his gifts in person. I've always gotten him something he could unwrap, because I feel like little kids enjoy that more than money. Now that he's turning 10, I'm wondering if he'd rather have a check so he can pick something out himself, or if I should wait a few more years. Christmas will remain actual gifts, because we have a big party, and I want him to have something to unwrap. Any thoughts on this?
Thanks in advance!
Re: What age to send check instead of gift?
Jenny McCarthy = Former Playmate and MTV host
Pediatrician = Doctor with extensive experience and education on children.
Bumpies = Don't get me started!
I know who I get my health advice from!
What are you looking at?
I mostly agree with Maria.
I think it depends a little on the parents, too. The rule in our house was that any birthday money we got went straight into our college account - so I hated getting money!
Kate's Recipe Box || Relatively Bookish
Worst. Rule. EVER!
I think around middle school kids start to want to pick out their own things and not get toys. But could you still get him a movie along with the check? Or a t-shirt? Or some sort of electronic accessory (something for computer, phone, game system?) I think there are always presents you can find for someone, you just have to look outside the normal toy aisles!
I think I definitely could do this, I'm just trying to figure out at what age it becomes "cooler" to just get a check and get to buy whatever you want. Although, Kate makes a great point, I don't know if his parents have this rule...hmmmm....
Giftcards were the great work around. I know the Visa ones you get at the store have fees, but you could check with your credit card company and see if they do giftcards for card holders without the fees.
I know you can get them through Discover and put the person's name on the card.
Kate's Recipe Box || Relatively Bookish