The Politics Of Present-Giving

Posted by KeriF at 12:00 PM on May 19, 2009

This past weekend I was at the mall to buy a birthday present for my 4-year-old nephew. I was headed to Border’s, where we’ve purchased books for Finn since he was born. I love to read, my kids love to be read to, and so we buy books we like for our young relations.

But as I was walking toward Border’s, I passed the Disney store. And I realised, I have no idea if Finn actually likes books. But I do know he loves all things Disney. So, even though I refrain from shopping there for my own kids, I walked into the Disney store and bought Finn a Buzz Lightyear bathing suit, sun shirt, thongs, and towel. And I’m sure he loved it.

So I started thinking about all the gifts I’ve given in the past. Did I give gifts that I thought the recipient would like? Or did I give gifts that I liked?


I once read an article that said people over-tipped in restaurants because they wanted their server to think highly of them; in other words, for purely selfish reasons. And I realised that I was doing the same thing with gift-giving. I was so desperate for the parents of the gift recipient to think highly of me, I was buying presents that I thought made me look good — wooden blocks, books, non-gender specific imaginative play — that I wasn’t really thinking about what the kid would actually like.

Of course, there’s also something to be said for expanding a child’s horizons. My son likes Spiderman, but he doesn’t need (and might possibly not even want) every single gift in the Spiderman oeuvre.

I guess I need to find a happy medium. Just because my son’s friend loves Dora doesn’t mean I need to buy her yet another Dora doll or plastic backpack. But maybe she would like a Dora Scrabble set or Dora chapter book. Or maybe even a different doll for Dora to play with. No, they’re not the most unique gifts in the world and the child’s parents won’t be wildly impressed with my creative gift-giving skills. But the child sure will be.

Photo: SFGate/Dreamstime

Tags:

Comments

There are currently no comments.

 

Post Your Comments

Name:

Email Address:

URL:

Comment:

Strollerderby

Updated daily by the wittiest parents in the blogosphere, Strollerderby provides a scroll of breaking news, spot-on reviews of entertainment and products, and irreverent discussions of hot topics.

Send your tips to strollerderby@babble.com.au.

FameCrawler

Is Gwen Stefani Planning On Baby Number 3?

5:00 PM Some say third time is the charm.  So does that mean a baby girl is in the future for Gwen Stefani and husband Gavin Rossdale? When asked if she had plans to add to her brood,... read more

Corey Haim’s Sister Gives Birth Day Before His Funeral

4:00 PM Corey Haim’s family has been through a lot this past week. The tragedy of the actor’s sudden death undoubtedly caused unbelievable pain and anguish to this close family. But th... read more

Droolicious

This Is Cake.

2:15 PM Whether she’s headed to a birthday party, a play date or the park, creating the perfect outfit for your princess will be a cake walk thanks to Glug Baby. This Cake Tee is cut... read more

Bubble For Your Thoughts: Snakkes Wall Lamp

12:15 PM “Snakkes” is Norwegian for “talk to you later,” but to Barcelona-based designer Daniel Benito Cortázar, it’s also the name of this adorable lamp... read more
Babble Partners