https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 20 May 2026 20:33:20 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561750 Sat, 04 Jun 2016 06:42:47 +0000 avivoca 2561750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have an enormous stuffed dog named Clarence that my MIL gave my daughter at her first Christmas. She was 10 weeks old. It's taller than I am (5'5") and my husband wouldn't let me get rid of it. Now I'm stuck with this giant stuffed dog in my small house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561723 Sat, 04 Jun 2016 05:08:16 +0000 LCTBQE 2561723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have promptly returned, donated, or put out on the stoop probably 75% of the gifts I've been given for years--I don't keep a pile of impractical/unwanted stuff, no matter how kind the intention. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561719 Sat, 04 Jun 2016 04:42:49 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2561719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I should have mentioned that DD already has tons of bags and backpacks, mostly purchased by (the same) grandma :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561702 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 23:51:07 +0000 daniellemybelle 2561702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: My MIL would be pretty upset if I took a single thing she got for LO to Goodwill! She takes inventory every visit :wink: </p> <p>My mom is pretty good at listening to me about things that LO will like and use. It's important to her that gifts be practical. My MIL just enjoys shopping for LO and picking out cute things even if they are not always the most practical. (Never white leather backpack level though!) I know it doesn't really matter to her if it's practical so I don't even go there! We just say thank you and LO wears what my MIL gives as much as makes sense.</p> <p>If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't worry too much about the bag getting dirty but I also wouldn't use it for preschool or anything. If there's not much occasion to wear it, oh well. The closest comparison I can give is a formal fancy dress my MIL got for LO. She wore it to a couple weddings and a friend borrowed it for a tea party. She can't exactly wear it to the playground so I don't stress that it didn't get much wear. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561406 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 13:18:27 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2561406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My in laws gave my newly turned 3 year old a gold and ruby ring that fits her right now. Thankfully she quickly lost interest but if ever there was an impractical gift, I think that wins on so many counts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561396 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 13:11:20 +0000 Silva 2561396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My in laws can't buy an age appropriate gift, despite having raised three children. It's unclear to me wtf they are thinking. They just bought us two child sized arm chairs and an ottoman at a yard sale 10 hours from their home. I literally have no where to put these things, and my husband still hasn't told them we don't want them...it drives me nuts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561388 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 13:07:26 +0000 Mamaof2 2561388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnleaves: off topic but hang on to the hover ball- my kids love them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561387 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 13:07:08 +0000 Mama Bird 2561387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: oh my, Legos... my parents got DS a huge construction Lego set for his third birthday. And he can sort of put it together with help, but then he'll take the bulldozers apart and scatter the pieces everywhere, and he doesn't get that if you lose one you can't put the thing together ever again. It was slightly stressful for me while he played with it. Thankfully he's let me put it away and it'll come out again when he's a bit older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561361 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 12:39:16 +0000 autumnleaves 2561361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My MIL always has something not age appropriate for LO1 amongst other gifts when she visits. Once it was a tablet for ages 2 plus and he just turned a year old. Just recently she bought him a hoverball. The package said age 6 and up and he was 20 months. I want to take that to goodwill. I am thinking about speaking up and letting her know I have a wish list for him in case she wants ideas for gifts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561359 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 12:37:25 +0000 skipra 2561359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know we should be grateful for any gifts and it's the thought that counts so I don't want to sound obnoxious, because we do appreciate the fact that the grandparents like to buy things for our kids. But... I get frustrated with the in laws who love to buy toys way out of my kids' age ranges. Like for Halloween they sent these glider things that came with a million small parts and said for ages 8+ when my kids were 1.5 and 3 or the Christmas before when my youngest was a baby and in the stage of putting everything in his mouth, they got kind of like a lego type kit with lots of small pieces for ages 6+. Last month they bought those paddle things with a small, hard ball attached. Super safe for a 2 and 3 year old! Mostly we just say thanks and either send them off to my older nephews or trash them if they're junk.<br /> My step-mother just loves to buy annoying toys. Her latest is to get these Hallmark plush toys that are shaped like numbers and will sing really annoying songs when you push them. Not impractical, just annoying. They normally get donated. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561352 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 12:25:39 +0000 NorthStar 2561352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My Mom - </p> <p>A rocking chair for our DD when we were in a one bedroom condo and had told her previously we have no room (aka, do not buy us any furniture). That is now sitting in the unfinished basement of our new house because we still don't have room for it until the basement is completed.</p> <p>A princess dress in size 6 (DD is a size 4). She bought it because it was the only size they had. She's already had a nasty fall that scared the crap out of her because the dress is way too long (DD is very small for her age). </p> <p>So many more things I cannot even count..ugh</p> <p>Your DD will actually probably like a backpack cause she could play school or just playing in general. But, I totally get how you feel! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561350 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 12:24:59 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2561350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I dont think thats super impractical! Use it! I mean, if it gets beat up or whatever, at least you got some use out of it and you can tell grandma, yea we loved it but a kid friendly canvas backpack would be more practical next time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561342 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 12:19:08 +0000 looch 2561342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SugarplumsMom: yeah, I hear you. It's not easy to just let things go some times. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561341 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 12:19:06 +0000 ocean81 2561341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SugarplumsMom: I say just let her use it and have fun. It will get dirty, but who cares. "Kids will be kids" and grandmas will be grandmas :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561338 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 12:16:47 +0000 MrsSRS 2561338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmm. I do get frustrated with my in laws choices sometimes but this isn't one that would bug me. I'd just let it be a toy and if it gets trashed, oh well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561328 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 12:02:10 +0000 Truth Bombs 2561328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 3.5 year old would LOVE this gift. She's obssessed wit bags/backpacks and the leather would make her feel fancy like mommy. If it gets dirty, oh well. It's hers and it's meant to be played with so dirt isn't the end of the world. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561327 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 12:01:59 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2561327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: Yeh, she claims she got it free. Coupons + discounts. But I highly doubt that. </p> <p>@ocean81: It looked really nice. So maybe in 10 yrs? But it rains all the time where we live and everyone takes public transport. So yeh, totally impractical.</p> <p>@looch: It guess I'm just so much more practical. Even if it was "free" I think of it as such a waste! A pendant or necklace or anything else for the same price would have been better. DD already has a ton of purses (all age appropriate). It bugs me because come to think of it, she's always given impractical gifts. I just got to let it go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561318 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 11:50:11 +0000 Foodnerd81 2561318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: I'm sure I was older than 7, but I did actually have a set of prismacolor pencils and chose them over my crayona every time. If the kid is really into art they might notice. :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561314 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 11:48:31 +0000 Foodnerd81 2561314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would just let her use it too. My LO also loves putting thing ms in backpacks and putting them on and she waves goodbye and tells me where she's going. I don't have time for precious things so if you give my kid something, I will let her play with it and it might get dirty. </p> <p>@Meowkers: I have one aunt who is amazing- she buys cool souvenirs from her travels and mails them to the kids and they are always things they can actually play with. She sent the baby the most adorable dress and wrote a note apologizing that I couldn't put it in the dryer. She never even had kids but totally gets that kind of stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561311 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 11:45:19 +0000 BSB 2561311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have the opposite problem with DH. He sent artist quality colored pencils to a friend's kid. Apparently the kid (7 years old) loves them but I had to ask DH that crayola colored pencils would have been perfectly fine for the kid. I don't think the kid realized what how good (and expensive) Prismacolor pencils were. DH is an artist and went to 4 years of art school and he uses Prismacolor. DH said he wanted to give him something nice. I'm perfectly fine with my Crayola colored pencils. I think I need to reel him in and try to get him to give kid appropriate gifts. I tried to explain to the DH that those colored pencils will probably lost or broken within the next year. $3 pack of crayola pencils or $20 pack of Prismacolor pencils. Yeah... </p> <p>As for your issue, I don't have that issue. I don't think of how much gifts cost. I know my sister buys stuff from Kohl's and the price tag is usually shipped with it. The price looks marked up but I know my sister probably used coupons and probably got a good deal. Any chance the backpack was marked down to $5 or something? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561298 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 11:24:15 +0000 Meowkers 2561298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DD is 16 months and loves carrying around a little purse. I'd just let your daughter have it. If it gets dirty, oh well.</p> <p>My mom shops for my daughter like it's her full time job. Sometimes she'll buy items that are fancy materials and hand wash only (silks, chiffon, etc.) I flat out told her, if it's not machine washable, it'll get worn until it's dirty and that's it because I don't have time to hand wash a 16 month old's silk shorts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561285 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 11:11:29 +0000 looch 2561285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SugarplumsMom: Honestly, if my mom bought my son a similar thing (I don't know what specifically, but let's say a leather mini briefcase) I'd totally let my son just have it. He'd get a kick out if it, putting stuff in it and my mom would be overjoyed. And then when it's been through the paces and no one wants it anymore, we donate it.</p> <p>Is it the gift or something else in this case? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561284 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 11:11:27 +0000 Boogs 2561284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actually think there are far worse gifts! My kids love backpacks, even if it's just to play with so your DD might actually enjoy the gift. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561282 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 11:04:28 +0000 wrkbrk 2561282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Goodwill. So many trips to Goodwill. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561280 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 11:03:01 +0000 PurplePeony 2561280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Eh, I'd just let DD play with it at home where it's not likely to get too dirty. Or honestly, even let her take it places and wipe it down occasionally and if it gets stained, so be it. But I also gave my DD one of my old leather purses as her own when she was about a year old...it's green, not white, but it has held up fine to her abuse so far. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561273 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 10:56:38 +0000 ocean81 2561273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depends, but I usually graciously thank them and then hoard. If it's my mom and I know I won't hurt her feelings, then I will return it because I feel bad and don't want her to waste her money on something that won't get used. I know she appreciates that! Can you save it and maybe your daughter will appreciate it / like it in a few years? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561269 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 10:49:21 +0000 catomd00 2561269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom does this all the time. And never gives me a receipt and often tears tags off. I return it whenever I can of usually donate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561263 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 10:41:52 +0000 Miss Ariel 2561263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mil does this. Mainly because they feel like they have extra money and just buy random stuff if it doesn't look like they've bought enough for the holidays. Most times we just wind up donating to goodwill. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561256 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 10:35:19 +0000 Mama Bird 2561256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Haha I'm sorry! Well maybe your DD will like it! Last year someone gave us this little fabric over the shoulder bag (secondhand and kind of worn). I thought it was a very odd present, but DS got his hands on it and used it for months. He'd stuff it full of toys to take along when we went anywhere.</p> <p>We get a lot of impractical presents actually! We just try to find them a new home very quickly. Giant toys, knick knacks we have no room for, a giant pot holder set for our very small kitchen... I'm scared to invite people to parties because no one ever listens when I say that we just want to see them and no gifts please! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/impractical-gifts#post-2561243 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 10:22:38 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2561243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just got off the phone with my mom and she was going on and on about a bag she found on a sale rack at Bloomingdale's and how someone snatched it away from her, but the store located another one, etc ... etc. She kept saying it's "perfect". I thought it was something for her. No, it's for DD. The bag is a ivory leather mini backpack. DD is barely turning 4!!!</p> <p>My mom is pretty ridiculous, but this takes the cake. I tried to talk her into returning it but she won't budge. Anyone else dealing with impractical gift-givers? Do you just graciously thank them and hoard it away? It kills me because she can get anything else and of all things, a ivory leather backpack??!</p> <p>Correction: it's not ivory, it's white. Lol. </p>