I Just can’t buy into the idea of getting my niece presents. The grandparents buy the girl all the clothes she will ever need. and I don’t see the point in toys until she is two or three. I have purchased small amounts of high risk over seas stocks for her that most likely will be worthless when she is grown, but I would rather do that than put any money in a bond or presents. Am I misguided in the fact that I don’t believe in presents @ a young age for a child who has all her basic needs met.
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Why should I buy presents for a baby?destiny2010-08-28 21:45:41
I Just can’t buy into the idea of getting my niece presents. The grandparents buy the girl all the clothes she will ever need. and I don’t see t…
11 replies on “Why should I buy presents for a baby?”
I think making a real investment or starting some kind of account for a little one is a great present (though high risk over seas stocks might not be the best way to go, it’s better than more rattles.)
I agree with you. Presents at that yopung age doesn’t make any sense.
Open up a savings account and put the amount into the bank for her. Or donate to a local charity in the childs name.
party pooper
it’s all about the joy and happiness in the celebration
try a savings bond, or open a college fund, but potentially worthless stocks?
Savings bonds are excellent here in the US if that’s where you are. I always appreciate those as gifts for my 2 year old. You are not wrong about buying toys/clothes at all. They have too many and they outgrow and outplay everything in a matter of weeks.
Well it isn’t that you have to do anything. I would rather not get any present from you at all. It is something that is an expression of your love not the gift itself.
Why would you buy a present at all if you are almost counting on it being worthless?? It sounds almost as though you are jealous that you don’t have kids and you want your niece. If that’s the case – then get therapy.
Buying a small gift for an infant is worth the effort. It will actually make YOU healthier because the act of giving has been scientifically proven to improve your body chemistry. I’m not kidding.
The purpose of gifts is to bring you closer as a family unit. This means that your sister/brother will feel you really care about their child because you were thoughtful enough to give their child a gift. I could carry on this analogy with more family events, etc…
In addition, a growing infant who is learning every day and every minute cannot have enough toys. There are so many toys, movies, music, books, etc. that will help stimulate your niece’s brain to develop to its full potential. Babies can’t keep staring at blank walls (like you seem to believe). Babies need toys (and a variety) just as much as any growing toddler (even more so).
If your niece has everything – the best present you can give is your time. Spend time with her – babysit for free, take her out to the park on a walk in the stroller, etc… Show her the world and watch her react to it and interact with it for the first time. That is the LOVE between an aunt and niece that you haven’t seemed to have developed yet.
Since you’d rather invest in her future, and not in toys… Start a 529 account for her. It isn’t risky like the stocks you’ve already invested in for her. However, if you feel the pressure to buy her a gift to open, then get her an engraved ornament.
Just buy something simple like a rattle or something that she will have for a long time like a stuffed animal. You should buy something if your her aunt BUT that doesn’t mean it needs to be an over the top gift plus don’t buy pants or shirts cause thats grandmas job LOL trust me
The presents are about recognizing her as a person and a member of your family. I think that investments are a very practical choice. I also think a gift card so that her parents can purchase her what she needs, is a good idea.
actually u can get her some learning toys to help in her development most babies love music toys (and it will drive her parents crazy hehe)
I understand where you are coming from…..
The grandparents are doting…..
The baby is so young…..
Ok, so maybe the baby doesn’t need any clothes or toys….but there are so many other meaningful things you could get…..
At this age, giving the gift is more for the parents than it is for the baby. Most parents keep track of presents in the child’s baby book, so it’ll be noticed for years to come if your name isn’t on the list.
What about a pretty music box…..or something with the baby’s name engraved into it….something to place in the child’s room that as the child grows older, she will know that you got her that for her first Christmas (or whatever you’re buying the gift for).
So, no you aren’t misguided in not wanting to buy a child more clothes or toys, try to think of something else special to get her…..