Gift Cards or Real Gifts for Christmas?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
For myself I really don't care but, my Mother in law wants to give the children gift certificates for the co-op store that she works in. The store is an eclectic mix of imported artwork and clothing items. Mother in law stocks imports from Central America. While I find the store mildly entertaining there isn't anything there the kids want. Isn't it all about the kids?
When I was their age I didn't so much care what was in the box as long as there was a box to open. What can you do with a gift card/certificate on Christmas morning? Then of course, the gift cards/certificates actually mean more work for the kids mom.
I can't help but feel like Mom in law is manipulating us as well. "I gave you gift certificates, now you have to spend time with me" as if we wouldn't spend time with her any way. 'Course her excuse is that she "just has no idea what to get the kids". That's easy, I could tell her what to get which I have done in the past.
Oh btw, Mom in law is quitting the store as of Dec 31. I can't help but think this is some hair brained scheme to unload her inventory. This is a long favored tradition with her. I remember she cleaned out her closets back when we first got married. We were stuck hauling all her cast offs to our house. I ended up disposing of it while dh was spending a year in Korea. Along with dh's size 13 Waffle Stompers. Ugh, never have missed those things.
Do you think I am being greedy?