s/o clothes as gifts

[cmarie11]

Because it is practical to do so?

[amaranth]

My parents could barely afford what we needed most years, much less needs plus extra gifts. Unwrapping clothes and new shoes was still fun and we were grateful to receive them. Especially if it meant new clothes vs. a yard sale.

As such, I am having a blast spoiling my son with true gifts but will absolutely wrap up "needs" too. I want him to be grateful for all things, whether it's a plain white T-shirt or the new best toy.

[Marmee]

I didn't post about Easter but yes, my parents gifted lots of clothes (birthday was in Sept and I'd get school clothes) but usually not summer because no holiday to gift them in Spring. I mean maybe I'm old but I was thrilled to get clothes from 6th grade on. I didn't really want much beyond that. My kids are rapidly getting to the point where they rather get clothes. We had 5 kids in my family...we'd get toys from Santa (clothes from parents/grands/aunts/uncles)and after a while we really did not need/want for any more toys. I have 4 girls, my oldest is 11, there is virtually nothing left to buy them that we haven't own or owned a version of already. Clothes, jewelry are fun for them. I buy sports gear (ski goggles, ski socks, tennis rackets, balls, etc) for them as gifts very often now. They'd get them anyway but it's fun to gift and they are happy to get them. I counted 15 unopened craft kits, Lego kits, etc a while back...they don't need more of that stuff.

[readyin07]

I grew up like you. Until I got old enough that I wanted clothes/shoes as gifts.

[imojoebunny]

I got a lot of necessities as gifts. From clothes to toothbrushes. It wasn't affordability, that was not an issue for my parents in the least, it was teaching me to appreciate things and not to take things for granted.

I spoil my kids a bit because I didn't have a lot of toys growing up, but as they get older, I have cut back a lot on what I give them, and make them save for what they want. It makes them a lot more conscious of what is important to them. It is interesting to watch them develop priorities and money management from early ages. They started allowance around 4, and at 9 and 6, definitely have opinions on what is important to them. I give them enough allowance to buy the things I want them to have, if they are willing to save.

[mccallister84]

My father holds very strong beliefs that Santa doesn't bring clothes. He was very upset when my nephew was four months old and my sister gifted him clothes from Santa.

[picksthemusic]

I got clothes as gifts when I was little because my mom couldn't afford much for me - K-Mart specials, hand-me-downs, and thrift store grab-bags were what I got most of the time. My grandma bought a lot of my wardrobe and gave them to me as gifts (Easter dresses, Christmas dresses, new school clothes).

I think my mom and MIL see clothes as 'safe' gifts so they feel like they're giving DD/DS presents while not irritating me with junky stuff, which is sort of true. I'd rather them get the kids clothes than toys I'm just going to throw away.

However, MIL gets DD stuff I'd never choose myself - but DD loves most of it, so it's fine.

[patbutcher]

Clothes weren't gifts growing up unless special clothes like horse riding gear or a new dance costume.

However one of my best birthday gifts was when my aunt took me to Top Shop when I was about 8 and let me pick out anything I wanted. Omg I still feel happy thinking about the tube skirt in fluorescent yellow that I chose. The 80s man.

[Muddled]

We received clothes as gifts occasionally, but we definitely preferred the other stuff. We definitely didn't get toys for no reason. Birthdays and Christmas. We are so spoiled now.

[bowies]

Mar 24, 2016 17:54:29 GMT -5 imojoebunny said:

I got a lot of necessities as gifts. From clothes to toothbrushes. It wasn't affordability, that was not an issue for my parents in the least, it was teaching me to appreciate things and not to take things for granted.

This exactly. It was a lesson in graciousness even if we weren't feeling it.

Plus it meant more presents - if there's something in the house that hasn't been given yet, then wrap that shit up! We do this with DS. He got a box of diapers (amongst other things) for his first Christmas.

[shellbear09]

I remember clothes as gifts occasionally growing up when I was older. I think a lot of it now is wanting to give tons of stuff and clothes help up the number of things to open.

[jeaniebueller]

I have always gotten and given clothing as gifts. We always got a special outfit to wear on Christmas Eve for example.

[Brie]

I give my kids clothes they will like, like character shirts and PJs, as gifts. I do not consider the basics, like pants, to be gifts.

[melodramatic26]

I'll be honest and say that I do it because I feel pressure to give lots of gifts, but also don't want a lot of unappreciated toys.

And especially now that every holiday is a gift giving occasion, and we have over zealous grandparents that don't know how to scale back anything, there aren't lots of options left so we go more practical.

[bunch]

I honestly don't remember if I got them as gifts. Probably some. I definitely gift them now because my children don't have many other needs.

[bananapancakes]

We always got a bunch of spring clothes for Easter gifts growing up, along with candy and maybe a book or something small. Christmas was a mix of practical and fun things.

I didn't get L any clothes for Easter but guess who's getting a new toothbrush and tube of toothpaste in his basket?

[glitzy07]

I remember getting some clothes as gifts as a kid. And as we got a little older my mom (Santa) would fill our stocking with the kind of shampoo, lotions, etc, that we liked. Useful and appreciated.

We do a mix of toys and clothes for Christmas (our only major gift giving holiday). Each kid usually gets an outfit and pajamas, along with toys. H always gets wool socks because he wants them. But we don't really do clothes for birthdays.

[h]

My parents bought us clothes as needed, but we still got some clothes as gifts in addition to getting other stuff. Clothes received as gifts were items that were more expensive than standard clothing purchases, things we were coveting, or both. I still remember getting Jams and jelly shoes in my Easter basket when they were hot. And Guess jeans/skirts/jackets were welcome gifts. Ah, the 80s!

My two older kids are each getting a t-shirt and shorts and a pair of the expensive Nike Elite socks they like in their Easter baskets, in addition to a book, a craft, some small toy items, and some candy. We just do a little bit of everything.

I don't really understand how you can totally avoid clothes as gifts after a certain age when kids no longer want toys. Don't most tweens and teens pretty much just want clothes and electronics? My 8 yo already asks for specific clothing items (and expensive sneakers) for holidays.

[patbutcher]

Mar 24, 2016 18:20:21 GMT -5 @vicmo said:

Mar 24, 2016 17:59:26 GMT -5 picksthemusic said:

I think my mom and MIL see clothes as 'safe' gifts so they feel like they're giving DD/DS presents while not irritating me with junky stuff, which is sort of true. I'd rather them get the kids clothes than toys I'm just going to throw away.

Same here, and I really enjoy clothing gifts from the grandparents in that vein. Although the ILs have bought several things that won't fit for 2-5 years so those are less good, haha.

Haha this is us too. For Christmas N got so many things in a 3T when she isn't even in 2T yet. It's good to have a stash to grow into though.

[bowies]

We also wrap up a bunch of shit because DS doesn't get anything from his grandparents (my parents do give Christmas presents and a birthday present, but nothing for other holidays). This probably belongs in the other thread because I see how frustrating a constant parade of toys would be, but the opposite end of the spectrum is rather lousy too. If we're going to spend money to give gifts "from" his paternal grandparents then we make sure there's at least a decent amount of practicality to go with it.

[Muddled]

Our stockings were always full of school supplies. Each little thing individually wrapped.

[smile]

I only give clothes as gifts that DD will love. Things like a new tutu, or twirly dresses, or character tshirts. I figure I will have a lot of years where clothes will be the gift of choice, so I'm taking advantage to give fun stuff now.

[wavepool]

I remember getting the "better" version of stuff for gifts, and we've done the same as parents. He normally just has plain plates and bowls, but he's getting paw patrol version in his Easter basket.

I am always giving practical suggestions for gifts when grandparents ask, but they don't think underwear or pjs are good gifts. He will seriously get equally excited to get underwear or a toy right now. Not sure how we'll change it as he gets older.

[Deleted]

Mar 24, 2016 18:16:53 GMT -5 Brie said:

I give my kids clothes they will like, like character shirts and PJs, as gifts. I do not consider the basics, like pants, to be gifts.

I'm here. I wouldn't give my kid plain white tee shirts as a gift. But a special sparkly dress or Dora underwear? Yes.

[rugbywife]

I LOVE getting clothing as gifts from family (for the kids I mean). Means less clothes we have to buy. AMEN. We do clothes for gifts too. I think we did when I was a kid, honestly, I don't think a lot about what we got as gifts. We got more than enough, I never really thought about if one thing was clothes or not.

[tulips]

We got some clothes for Christmas and our b-days each year growing up. It was more the fun or "in" stuff we wanted and not basic clothes needs. I remember getting a HyperColor shirt one year and being so freaking excited.

I just put my kids' baskets together for Easter and they are full of stuff for spring/summer: bathing suit, water shoes, sun glasses, bubbles/bubble gun, bug catching net, flower seeds and then other stuff like stickers, a book, an elmo doll, and a thing of Goldfish.

When it comes down to it, I could say I'd be buying all of those things anyway, so why bother putting them in their baskets? Because it's fun and they are little and they get excited for stuff. Seriously, I got K new socks at Target this week and she carried the package to H as soon as he got home and said "look! this!!!" Kids the age of mine are easily amused/pleased.

[booboo173]

I have always gotten clothes as gifts from all my family. Once we were teens and had jobs even just babysitting my parent never bought us clothes unless it was s gift. If we wanted or needed something we bought it ourselves. I always buy my nieces clothes because they have a million toys and I have no daughters to shop for

[Saudade]

I completely plan on spoiling my kids when it comes to clothes. I always had the basics and "enough" clothes by my parents' standards but it was a mind game for me because of the cutthroat atmosphere of high school. I didn't feel like I had enough and always felt self-conscious. They had plenty of money just no idea of what it was like to be a teenager in the time of American Eagle, A&F, and Hollister.

[greycat]

We didn't have a lot of extra money growing up. I always got necessities like socks, underwear, and clothes for Christmas along with some toys. My grandpa usually bought us a good winter coat (before Christmas). We didn't get toys or gifts for Easter - just some candy.

[kdubs923]

I always received and plan to give clothing/practical gifts along with the fun stuff.

DS & DD are getting a bathing suit, hat, sunglasses, & sunblock for practical items. (Along with fun stuff, toys/bubbles/chalk/board book) Yes, I would have purchasd these items, Easter or not. But I want them to know where these items come from, as their clothes don't just magically appear in the drawer when we need them.

I realize they're too young to 'get it' this year, but I want them to understand things cost money and that they're lucky they have all they need. They'll be spoiled, but I'm hoping this will help them be grateful for the less fun items too.