Friends Kid B-Days

[Craig Mac]

Okay, I have a question. I have a friend whom I have known for many years, he lives a few blocks away and we haven't really talked or hung out much over the last several years as he got married and started a family. It seems to me now that the only time I hear from him is when he needs a favor or it involves me buying a gift for his family and attending an event at his house.

It all started when he bought a house, I got an invitation to the house warming and included was a gift registry card with a link to their registry for the event(didn't know anyone even did that for a house warming:dunno. Then a couple months later it was a "baby shower/cookout", as to include the guys as well with the cookout part, also with accompanying gift registry card. Next year was the first birthday party with accompanying gift registry card. Then the second childs "baby shower/ cookout", also with accompanying gift registry card.

So now twice a year I get these in the mail for each kid with accompanying gift registry card. After a few years of doing this I am getting the feeling that we are all invited to make sure their kids get a lot of gifts. He is a good friend and I don't want to make a big deal about it, and I don't mind getting gifts for the kids but looking at the registry each time.... well lets just say they sure expect friends to buy their kids some nice shit!!!

So what would you do... Blow it off and not go? Go and just buy a small gift on my own? Suck it up and throw down $100 for a gift off the registry?

 

[hdroadglide]

first congrats on 2k!
then, if you feel like getting the kid something, then get what you want. $100 on a friend's kid's birthday??? are you kidding me? unless you're in a rich ass neighborhood, that takes balls to even send something like that out! you are on their sugar list!!!

 

[strife]

I'd buy something on my own, it's a gift for Pete sake. If it's not appreciated, oh well. Worse case you won't get invited any more.

 

[e-man67]

$100 for a friends kids gift? No way! I know our friends kids we may get them a book or an outfit (something like that) for maybe $20 tops but that's it. Put $10 in a card and give it to him...hell you only see the dude a few times a year. I have never heard of a gift registry other than for a wedding or baby shower...birthdays? really?

BTW, my birthday is coming up in October...I registered at Holts! :hysterica

 

[Phi Delt]

first congrats on 2k!
then, if you feel like getting the kid something, then get what you want. $100 on a friend's kid's birthday??? are you kidding me? unless you're in a rich ass neighborhood, that takes balls to even send something like that out! you are on their sugar list!!!

What bob said. I've NEVER heard of a gift registry for a house warming. EVER. OR for a child's birthday, for that matter.

Gift registry for a baby shower, maybe. A wedding, well yeah. But the other stuff? Nope.

Get the kid a gift card for a bookstore and a bday card, if you're so inclined.

 

[Boppa-Wasch]

I'd buy something on my own, it's a gift for Pete sake. If it's not appreciated, oh well. Worse case you won't get invited any more.

first congrats on 2k!
then, if you feel like getting the kid something, then get what you want. $100 on a friend's kid's birthday??? are you kidding me? unless you're in a rich ass neighborhood, that takes balls to even send something like that out! you are on their sugar list!!!

Good points both! Just skip the gift registry and either buy a gift or get a "gift card" for whatever you think is appropriate. Or, just send your regrets for not being able to attend this year.

 

[Craig Mac]

first congrats on 2k!
then, if you feel like getting the kid something, then get what you want. $100 on a friend's kid's birthday??? are you kidding me? unless you're in a rich ass neighborhood, that takes balls to even send something like that out! you are on their sugar list!!!

Thanks Bob, I think you just won my contest that I forgot to announce:rofl: That let a few guys get some sleep:glassesgr

I too thought the gift registry thing was a bit much, and I probably overstated by saying $100, there are things that are less but many that are more than $100. I probably doomed myself to the "sugar list" when I gave $50 at each of the kids births to start a bank account with.

BTW, my birthday is coming up in October...I registered at Holts! :hysterica

That is funny!!

 

[blooz4u]

Damn that Craig.... We let people bring whatever they feel like, in terms of gifts, if any. I'd get the kid a $10 Wal-Mart gift card. Then you'll know what "kind" of friends you really have!

 

[VirginIslander]

Socks and underwear...and make sure you're there to see him open it....and cheer and clap loudly when he does.

 

[hdroadglide]

Socks and underwear...and make sure you're there to see him open it....and cheer and clap loudly when he does.

you had an uncle bad touch you growing up, didn't you bill???:yes:

 

[jwintosh]

how are the cookouts? i'd bring a gift if Gale's got the bbq smoking!! i wouldn't hold myself to a registry! get what you want.

 

[unfairtoast]

Just give him a card.

Solves all the problems!

 

[Craig Mac]

Socks and underwear...and make sure you're there to see him open it....and cheer and clap loudly when he does.

you had an uncle bad touch you growing up, didn't you bill???:yes:

You guys made me laugh so hard people were coming in the office to see what was so funny

how are the cookouts? i'd bring a gift if Gale's got the bbq smoking!! i wouldn't hold myself to a registry! get what you want.

Not that great.... Just the standard: burgers, hotdog, and such.


I likely just have a friend go with me and pick something out in the $20 range, she is an expert on what to buy the little kids.

 

[Andytex]

Thanks Bob, I think you just won my contest that I forgot to announce:rofl: That let a few guys get some sleep:glassesgr

I too thought the gift registry thing was a bit much, and I probably overstated by saying $100, there are things that are less but many that are more than $100. I probably doomed myself to the "sugar list" when I gave $50 at each of the kids births to start a bank account with.


That is funny!!

50$ for a birth is totally understandable, but come on a $100 b-day for a non-family kid is ridiculous. get the kids playdoh or paint and markers. thats what i do when I want to ruin the parents day.

 

[N2Advnture]

Thanks Bob, I think you just won my contest that I forgot to announce:rofl: That let a few guys get some sleep:glassesgr

I too thought the gift registry thing was a bit much, and I probably overstated by saying $100, there are things that are less but many that are more than $100. I probably doomed myself to the "sugar list" when I gave $50 at each of the kids births to start a bank account with.


That is funny!!

The price of the gift depends on the kid's age(s), IMHO. A 3 year old gets something much less expensive than a 16 year old.

Also, if over the years, the only invites/communications you get include gift registries, then I'd start skipping the events as you nailed it on the head about wanting the kids to get more gifts.

Unless, of course, you still consider him a good friend a enjoy hanging out with him and his family :thumbsup:

 

[GoingPostal]

Well i say a gift should never be a requirement for attending a party. and if it is why not just put a rope and charge a cover for entering. well anyhoo, if you want to get the kid a gift than get something you feel comfortable getting. plus a true friend wont think less of you if you don't buy there kid a gift. but do what you feel comfortable doing. that's just my .02 cents

 

[Web]

Well i say a gift should never be a requirement for attending a party. and if it is why not just put a rope and charge a cover for entering. well anyhoo, if you want to get the kid a gift than get something you feel comfortable getting. plus a true friend wont think less of you if you don't buy there kid a gift. but do what you feel comfortable doing. that's just my .02 cents

I have to say I agree with "GoingPostal". Do what you feel comfortable doing even if that means finding new friends!

 

[PLUSH]

Do you have kids that know his kids? If not then why would he invite you? He is just looking for a gift. I have never heard of a gift registry for an new house or birthday party, come on. I have plenty of friends with kids but I am never invited, now my kids might be, as it's for the kids.

 

[edogg]

It is crazy to have a registry for kids bday party...

 

[hdroadglide]

uh, my daughter is having a birthday next month, and i just wanted ALL of you to know that i am registered , i mean she is registered, with new havana cigars!!!!!! just call dan, and he'll know what i, i mean SHE likes..... thanks guys...you're the greatest.