Best and worst gifts

[Alex]

Yeah, I know they don't lose their value. But eventually they get tossed in a thorough house cleaning. I have a Wal-Mart card in my nightstand that must be three years old. I've been to Wal-Mart countless times since I"ve had it but it will never get used.

A gift etiquette question. You liked your XM radio gift so that is wonderful, but in general what is the thinking on giving gifts that continued use by the recipient would require an expenditure?

For example, a coworker got some new computer game as a gift. It is an MMORPG and comes with three months free play. But after that, my coworker would have to pay $12 a month to keep playing. Cell phones, gym memberships, XM Radio, etc.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

Yeah, I know they don't lose their value. But eventually they get tossed in a thorough house cleaning. I have a Wal-Mart card in my nightstand that must be three years old. I've been to Wal-Mart countless times since I"ve had it but it will never get used.

Put it in your wallet. Then you'll see it when you're at Wal-Mart

A gift etiquette question. You liked your XM radio gift so that is wonderful, but in general what is the thinking on giving gifts that continued use by the recipient would require an expenditure?

For example, a coworker got some new computer game as a gift. It is an MMORPG and comes with three months free play. But after that, my coworker would have to pay $12 a month to keep playing. Cell phones, gym memberships, XM Radio, etc.

Since it came from Mom and Dad they paid for a year of service. But, as a personal rule I avoid gifts that come with a subscription fee unless I know they wanted the game/item to begin with.

[Alex]

My wallet is already too full of stuff I have to carry around with me for me. All the slots are filled and some double filled.

Besides does whoever it is that gave me the card (I have no recollection) really want to be saddled with the cosmic record of having purchased me, for my birthday or Christmas (or maybe it was for that Web site I helped with), two bags of cat litter and a couple rolls of paper towels.

No, better that when they stand before the Pearly Gates and St. Peter (or whoever it is that stands there) asks them to justify themself they are able to say "I once gave Alex $30 to spend at Wal-Mart with which he may have bought something that brought him great personal enjoyment" than "I once purchased for Alex $30 dollars worth of cat litter and he spent the next month scooping poop out of it."

Really, by not using that card I am saving somebody's soul.

[MouseWife]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

My wallet is already too full of stuff I have to carry around with me for me. All the slots are filled and some double filled.

Maybe you could buy a new wallet?

Try on line. Although I recall having a helluva time trying to order things via Target {on my old computer with a million blocks/issues, that could have been it}.

[MouseWife]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

A gift etiquette question. You liked your XM radio gift so that is wonderful, but in general what is the thinking on giving gifts that continued use by the recipient would require an expenditure?

Good question. I guess it depends on who is giving it {like her folks, they paid for the whole year } but if your kid bought it for you, I doubt they would be expected to cover so much time.

Phones. We have switched over to the pay as you go phones for the kids. We bought them the phone and gave them phone cards. Every now and again we replenish the youngest ones {he rarely uses his phone, so, this is great for us $$}.

If I'd bought someone else the phone, I would give them a phone card with it and that would be it. I would be giving a pay as you go phone to someone who already had one, just upgrading it. Or, as in my daughters case, who had a phone whose contract was expiring and I wanted to encourage her not to spend so much on her monthly phone bill. I told her she could budget and save a lot of $$ and she has.

If I received something, I wouldn't expect too much but I also shouldn't be expected to go right out and get right into it. Like if they'd given me a paintball gun...uh, maybe when I'm ready....

[Jughead P. Jones]

You know, this year, I lucked out, because I didn't get anything that overly sucked. In the past, I've gotten some rather...um...unique gifts...the year I got a five-pound jar of mustard stands out.

The best gift I got though was a new DVD/VHS player (my old VCR quit, and rather than buy a new one, I wanted a combo deal, and luckily, I got just that.)

[Betty]

I'm now the proud owner of The Clapper. 'nuff said.

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by Betty

I'm now the proud owner of The Clapper. 'nuff said.

Coulda been worse, I was afraid I'd get a Chia Pet.

[Mousey Girl]

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Coulda been worse, I was afraid I'd get a Chia Pet.

I gave a chia pet...does that count?

Best, Mom gave me cash (well a check, but for once it does not have David's name on it).

My sisters-in-law gave me seasons one and two of Deadwood.

Worst was for Nickolas...He asked for and recieved Moon Sand.

[tracilicious]

Originally Posted by Mousey Girl

I gave a chia pet...does that count?

I've always wanted a chia pet, and would be so happy if someone got me one.