Our daughter turns two in a couple of weeks and I started to wonder: where are we going to put her gifts? We are crammed in our apartment at this point. If we get anything new, something needs to be thrown out. Look, I’m grateful for any gift my child receives, but we just don’t have the room. Although we have asked for no toys since birth, her collection has ballooned and would make a hoarder proud. We always ask for entertainment items for her, such as tumble classes or swim lesson, but our children never get these items. So here is a list of five items no parent enjoys receiving for their kids.
5-Fridge Magnets: I understand the educational value in these items, however good chance every parent has already thrown out at least one of these sets, so don’t bother. They always end up on the floor and disappear underneath the refrigerator. Nothing like going to get that bottle of milk at 2 a.m. just to step on a jagged piece of plastic. No thanks!
4-Anything that makes noise: there is nothing more annoying than getting woken up by a toy with dying batteries. I don’t know why, but when the batteries are almost done the toys start talking on their own like Woody. Trust me, as much as you think these toys are cute, they are beyond annoying when you hear them constantly.
3-Anything that has more than ten pieces: kids lose parts plain and simple. If it has more than ten pieces, don’t buy it. It will be useless when the one piece gets lost. It’s great when your kid likes the item and you have to buy multiple sets because he keeps losing the same piece each time.
2- Anything that requires assembly: this is just a recipe for disaster. If your child likes the product, you are going to be expected to assemble it right away. Kids are impatient, and a meltdown is usually expected if the gift is not assembled within five minutes. Lets not forget the barrage of curses Dad will let fly when he can’t understand the directions.
1-Stuffed Animals: these things are bulky and bacteria traps. It’s a secret parents want you to know. Parents hate stuffed animals, they take up too much space and are a total waste of money since most eventually end up donated or trashed out. Trust me they are germ farms, Just say no!!!!
What gifts do your children get that drives you nuts? Do you plan payback and get their kids an equally annoying gift?
Damon
February 21, 2013 at 6:15 pmFake money is one of the worst toys. We find that all over the house.
Robert Loftus
February 21, 2013 at 6:40 pmGood warning. That’s one we will be sure to stay away from.
Mar
February 21, 2013 at 8:50 pmDid you ever see the episode of king of queens where they constantly out-do each other and end up buying them pet hamsters? I might like you now but I would kill someone. No stuffed animals in our house-Kona destroys them and majes it her mission in life to rip them to shreds. I hate anything that fits under the couch.
Robert Loftus
February 21, 2013 at 9:02 pmI always find treats under the coach. When something is missing that’s the first place we look. I would never buy you a pet hamster
Cloudy With a Chance of Wine
February 22, 2013 at 8:55 amHa! Ours turns 2 soon as well, and I’m a little afraid of what she’ll get! Another thing that annoys me is when someone buys her clothes that are 3-4 sizes too big. I get buying things 1-2 sizes bigger – you never know how big a child is, so it’s the safest thing to do. But if there’s a big enough gap between when she receives it and when she’ll be able to wear it, I have to put it in storage and almost always forget about it. I then feel terrible when I find the clothes and realize we didn’t even get to use them!
I still think gift cards are the best way to go.
Awesome post!
Robert Loftus
February 22, 2013 at 9:03 amI hear you on the clothes. We always receive larger items that are off season to when our children will be that big. A winter coat is no good if he’s that size during the summer. Thanks for reading & sharing
postpostmoderndad
February 22, 2013 at 8:55 amThat more than 10 pieces thing, man I know that for sure. There are so many “toys” that have various bits in so many different rooms at this point it isn’t funny. The exception to this is LEGO, but only for the older kids.
And don’t start my kid on a collection they don’t already have. Pokemon? Okay, but if you’re giving me a “starter set” to something new, you better be prepared to follow up with new toys on your own on a monthly basis.
Robert Loftus
February 22, 2013 at 9:05 amI agree on lego being the exception. They have interchangeable parts. As a collector I know that as well. Please don’t get my children hooked on an expensive hobby