Among Friends

[LUVNLIFE]

I think a gift registry is a helpful idea. I view it as a resource and not as an obligation. 

[Financialgrl]

I'd never heard of registering for a kid's party but love the idea of contributing to a college fund.  I have no children - when the youngest of my nieces/nephew was about 8, I decided to take the amount we'd set as a limit for birthdays and Christmas and instead I'd add that amount of money to an account in the stock market.  When the youngest of the three hit 18, I divided the money into equal amounts and wrote them each a check emptying that account.  I told them this was their birthday and Christmas gifts for the last 10 years!  I put no restrictions on the money but hoped they'd use toward college expenses, a new apartment, etc. 

They were totally shocked to be getting this money bc the amount had mushroomed into a few thousand dollars each.  Two of them now have kids of their own and I'm doing something similar for them. 

[Goldengate8361]

I think that's terrible!!! I don't like the idea of registries for anybody--but particularly for a child's birthday party. Really offensive.

also really hate the idea of giving to a college fund. That's not a birthday gift! Really, really bad idea. Can't believe the parents would have the nerve to do that!

[K9buddy]

Amazon has a wish list that you can register with.  My daughter and her friends choose items for the kids'. That way they can put things on the list that they would like the kids to receive.  Mostly they are books, movies, tshirts, pajamas, and educational items.  This eliminates duplicates and the need to return them as well as junk toys.  With our busy lives where we often wait until the last minute to buy a gift and just grab anything off the shelf, it's a time saver.

[colliegirls]

The other trend I noticed with my last two children was that the presents were not opened at the party.  I feel that some parents do not realize the party is for CHILDREN, they want to see their gifts opened.

One time the mother of the birthday child said "don't open anything in case we have to take it back" right in front of the kids. OMG.  

[hckynutjohn]

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@barb40 wrote:

Hi...question...just got invited on Facebook to our 2 year old nephew's birthday party...was informed he is registered at amazon, or could contribute to college fund.  Gave clothing  and shoe size.  Is this common?  Not sure i have heard of registering for birthday parties...

Thanks for your replies!  

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 Really?

This is not the world I lived in as a child, and I suspect most that post here were not raised as royalty.

All I can do is shake my head.

hckynut(john)

[Suziepeach]

@hckynutjohn, right there with you & so agree. 

[blackhole99]

I don't like the idea of gift registries for anyone either and especially not for kids. I think it's very greedy of the parents to ask people to contribute to a collge fund, that's their responsibility. Just another example of how parents are raising kids to feel they are entitled. I would throw an invitation like that in the trash and if the parents asked me why I did not attend I would tell them.

[nun ya]

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@colliegirls wrote:

The other trend I noticed with my last two children was that the presents were not opened at the party.  I feel that some parents do not realize the party is for CHILDREN, they want to see their gifts opened.

One time the mother of the birthday child said "don't open anything in case we have to take it back" right in front of the kids. OMG.  

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Half of them went into the closet for Christmas LOL

[Chrystaltree2]

I never heard of it but I imagine that it but I imagine that it is a real thing in some circles. I see it from both sides; on the one hand, you know the child's sizes and what their parents want for them.  On the other hand, we all know they only want pricey items....lol  So, there is that greed factor.  I can see myself using a register as a guide but I would not feel compelled to buy something on the register.